employees , including a number of jailers and dispatchers . The department also has record clerks and office workers . Clerks need expertise with standard office computer programs , must have good communication skills , and be able to assist the public .
Dispatchers provide communications support for the police and fire departments , ambulance crews , and animal control services . Dispatchers must be at least 18 years old , have a high school diploma or GED , and have special training . Training for dispatchers includes earning an Arkansas Crime Information Center certification .
“ We give much of the training ourselves ,” said Mike Peters , Springdale Police Chief . “ Those who already have the training would have an advantage in the hiring process .”
Those wishing to become police officers must meet certain requirements and pass several tests . Criteria include being a U . S . citizen , having a high school diploma or GED , being at least 21 years old , having no felony convictions , having a valid driver ’ s license , and being able to read and write English . Applicants must also pass a physical fitness test , a three-hour written exam , background investigation , drug test , psychological evaluation , medical evaluation and a lie detector test . Training includes a 12-week course with the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy and a 14-week field training program . Beginning pay for a police officer is $ 32,902 per year . 8
Springdale Fire Department applicants go through a similar process . Applicants must be at least 21 years old , have a high school diploma or GED , have a valid driver ’ s license , be able to speak and read English , have no felony convictions , and no DWI convictions within the last 12 months or more than one on their record . They must also pass a test , according to Springdale Fire Chief Mike Irwin .
No additional training is required , but applicants who have an Emergency Medical Technician license have a better chance of being hired . Having an Associate Degree in Fire Science would be the best preparation for the job , Irwin said .
“ We can send people to the Fire Academy but we prefer to hire people who have already had that training ,” he said .
Beginning pay for a firefighter with an EMT license is $ 32,902 . Firefighters who are licensed paramedics start at $ 40,473 a year .
City jobs may pay a little less than similar jobs in the private sector , but the excellent benefits make up for that . Benefits for City of Springdale employees include health , dental , vision and life insurance , paid holidays and vacation time , sick leave , and a retirement savings plan . Information on current job openings and applications are posted on the city ’ s website at www . springdalear . gov .