Questions about being a 111 CommunicatorFrequently asked questions about being a 111 Communicator
What personal attributes do Communicators need? Being a Police Communicator is a job for people who are emotionally resilient, quick on the uptake, calm under pressure and who have exceptional interpersonal skills. You will need to multi-task while asking probing questions to get information quickly. Maturity and common sense are key things we look for in our Communicators. What sort of people suit this role? The role of Communicator suits a variety of people of all ages and backgrounds. NZ Police is an equal opportunities employer and Communications Centres are an area of policing that may suit people with a disability. With any application, the focus is on meeting the requirements of the job. What requirements will I have to meet? You'll need the following:
We'd also like to hear from you if you are fluent in other languages, particularly Chinese, Cantonese or Mandarin. We'll ask you to undergo a security check and hearing and eyesight tests. What if I have a criminal history? NZ Police will carry out a thorough security and background check. You will be asked to disclose any history and you will be advised if this will prevent you continuing with your application. What career opportunities are there? Once you've worked as a Police Communicator, other opportunities will open up. You could become a Dispatcher and then a Team Leader. It's also a good stepping-stone to other jobs in Police, many of which are only advertised internally. And it's ideal experience if you're keen on becoming a police officer. I am a Police Officer looking to advance my career. Will this role help? Yes it will. As a sworn member it will give you a unique insight into command and control and resource management that is not widely available in the field. You will be exposed to critical incident management on a daily basis. What's the salary? This position offers competitive employment conditions with regular salary increments. You will be paid during your six-week training and on successful completion, you will be offered a salary around $45,000. Will I work shifts? The Police Communications Centres are a 24/7 operation. Typically the shifts will be between 5 and 10 hours. You will mostly work six days on, four days off. Shift work suits some people but others find it difficult to cope with for physical, family or social reasons. Taking on this role will require you to work unsociable hours, and occasionally over Christmas and other family holidays. Are the hours flexible? We can offer flexible and part-time arrangements for those who just want to work part-time, for example students, those with family commitments and semi-retired people. I only want to work for part of the year. Can you accommodate this? We will aim to accommodate your requirements as long as your training is kept up to date. Summer is the busiest time of year so there are sometimes opportunities for former staff to return temporarily. How long does the application process take? It may take some months from the time you express interest to when you start work in a Communications Centre, depending on location. We need more staff in Auckland than in Christchurch, for example. Sometimes we may ask you to wait until we have enough people to put through a training course. At other times, it may only be a matter of weeks before you start work. Can I apply at any time of year? Yes. However we will pool applicants until there is a sufficient number to meet training requirements. How do I express interest? Fill out the enquiry form and a consultant will contact you for a phone interview. Can I apply from outside of New Zealand? You will need a valid work permit first. We are unable to offer you a job so you can meet New Zealand work permit / visa requirements. We can only offer temporary employment to those with work permits. For permanent employment, you will need either residency or citizenship. How do I apply for a work permit? If you're are planning to migrate to New Zealand and seeking work we encourage you to learn about immigration requirements at www.immigration.govt.nz. Be aware though that knowledge of New Zealand society and geography are an important part of being selected for and succeeding in this role. Will I be tested? If you decide to go ahead after a successful phone interview, you'll be invited to complete some computer based assessments:
Then you will attend an Assessment Centre. You'll be asked to complete a range of assessments and tests. If you're successful, you'll be asked to complete psychometric testing. If I'm successful at the Assessment Centre, what next? You'll be asked to attend a panel interview. NZ Police staff will interview you. You will need to undergo a security check and you'll be asked for at least two referees. What training will I be given? Once you've completed all these steps and received an offer of employment, you will begin a six-week training course. This includes law and how to use the computer systems. There are four exams that you'll need to pass to finish the course. I am not in a position to apply now. Can you register my interest for the future? Yes, you can submit your details and indicate when you would like to be contacted. How can I apply? Fill out the enquiry form. We look forward to hearing from you! |


