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Hiring Process

Cobb County 911 draws applicants from around the country and will work on a case-by-case basis to ensure that all out-of-town or distant in-state applicants complete as many steps as possible during each trip to Cobb County.

Minimum Qualifications

To be considered for employment as an emergency communications officer with the Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications you must:

Be 18 years of age
Possess a high school diploma or GED
Be a U.S. citizen

Disqualifiers:

Any felony offense
More than two misdemeanor offenses
Any misdemeanor of an aggravated nature or related to public order or decency
Any offense related to domestic violence
Less than honorable discharge from any military organization
Termination of employment from any local, state, or national civil service or merit system
Use of Marijuana, Hashish or any products containing THC (Vapes, Gummies, Edibles, etc.) within 12 months

NOTICE: Though it is not a disqualifier, when you apply you must disclose ANY and ALL use ever in your life of: Marijuana, Hashish or any products containing THC (Vapes, Gummies, Edibles, etc.)

Online Application

The hiring process begins with the complete of an online application. Candidates meeting the necessary qualifications will receive an email from a member of our Employment Relations Unit containing a release form authorizing our team to run a check of the candidate’s criminal and driving history.

Throughout the process, candidates will receive emails regarding the process. It is the candidate’s responsibility to check their email regularly for correspondence regarding the process, including junk or spam folders.

Background Packet

Candidates will receive a phone call from a member of our team and will be asked to complete a pre-screen questionnaire. Following that pre-screen questionnaire, candidates will receive an email containing a Background Packet.

Candidates will have seven days to complete the background packet and return it to a member of the Employment Relations Unit.

Pre-Employment Testing

After candidates will be scheduled for pre-employment testing, CritiCall. Testing is only done in person and takes place at the emergency communications center.

CritiCall is a computerized pre-employment test used to measure a person's underlying skills and abilities prior to any training they receive if they are hired as a public safety dispatcher or call taker. If you would like to learn more about the CritiCall test or review the available testing resources, you can visit the applicant resource page at criticall911.com.

If the candidate does not pass, depending on their score they could be eligible for an immediate retest. If the score is below the immediate retest threshold, they are eligible to reapply and test again in thirty days.

Background Interview

Candidates will meet with a member of our Employment Relations Unit.

We will conduct a thorough background investigation on each applicant considered for a position. This investigation includes, but is not limited to, a check of the applicant’s criminal and driving history, employment background, written and clinical psychological analysis, polygraph examination, reference checks and a final interview. A medical exam and drug screen are also required for selected candidates.

Polygraph/Psych

To ensure honesty and completeness throughout the background investigation, a polygraph examination will be done with all candidates by a licensed examiner to verify information from their background. Likewise, to ensure mental and emotional suitability for the unique demands for a career in public safety communications, a written and clinical psychological examination with a license psychologist will be conducted.

Medical Evaluation

Candidates will also be sent for a medical examination and drug screening conducted by a licensed physician.

Final Interview

Following successful completion of the polygraph, psychological, and medical evaluations and thorough background investigation, the applicant will be scheduled for a final interview with members of the Cobb County 911 command staff.

While the department will attempt to consider individual circumstances during the hiring process, dishonesty will result with immediate disqualification.