Public Safety Dispatch & Communications Intern

Internship in TUCSON, AZ: Public Safety Dispatch & Communications Assistant

Arizona Department of Public Safety, Operational Communication (OPCOMM) Dispatch Center

About the Internship

Are you interested in a high-impact career in public safety, emergency communications, or criminal justice? The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) is seeking a motivated intern to support our state-of-the-art Public Safety Dispatch and Communications Center in Tucson, Arizona. This is an in-person role. 

In this role, you will go behind the scenes to observe how emergency 911 calls, trooper communications, and critical dispatch operations are managed across the state. This internship provides invaluable exposure to crisis management, public safety technologies, and the vital link between emergency callers and law enforcement officers in the field.

Key Responsibilities & Tasks

• Operational Observation: Sit alongside certified dispatchers to shadow live 911 call-taking, radio dispatching, and emergency resource coordination.
• Administrative Support: Assist communication supervisors with daily shift logs, tracking dispatch data, and maintaining internal documentation.
• Data Management: Help organize and analyze communication metrics, response-time logs, and public safety resource tracking systems.
• Project Support: Assist with special projects related to dispatch training materials, procedure updates, or community outreach programs.
• Professional Development: Attend mandatory orientation, agency briefings, and training sessions regarding emergency communications protocols.

Required Competencies & Skills

• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to remain calm, professional, and clear in high-pressure or fast-paced environments.
• Attention to Detail: Strong active listening, observational, and documentation skills with a high degree of accuracy.
• Discretion & Integrity: The ability to handle extremely sensitive, confidential, and restricted law enforcement information with the utmost professionalism.
• Technical Aptitude: Comfort navigating complex computer systems, multi-screen setups, and standard business software (such as Microsoft Office and Excel).
• Teamwork: A collaborative mindset with a strong willingness to learn from veteran public safety professionals.

Important Requirements

• This position is specifically designed to provide a rich educational experience for current high school and/or college/grad students pursuing careers in Criminal Justice or Criminology, Public Safety Administration, Sociology, Psychology or Social Work, Computer Information Systems / Geographic Information Systems, Emergency Management & Homeland Security.
• We understand the demands of a student schedule and offer flexibility to create a working routine that balances both your academic needs and team operations. To qualify for a DPS internship, candidates must be currently enrolled in school and available to work between 10 and 19.9 hours per week.
• Because this internship is housed within a Department of Public Safety, applicants are held to a much higher standard than a typical corporate internship. Applicants must successfully pass a background check, fingerprinting, and drug screening.   

Ready to apply? Submit your app online or send your resume to LSabori@azdps.gov.