Call Taker

Introduction:
As an Emergency Medical Call Taker, you will be the first point of contact for people in crisis, answering 111 emergency calls and rapidly gathering critical information to ensure life-saving help is dispatched as quickly as possible.

Description:
The Role

This is not an ordinary job—it is an intense, fast-paced, and emotionally demanding role where every second counts. You will need to stay calm and focused while managing distressing and challenging situations, guiding callers through emergencies, and ensuring accurate information is entered into our system.

The shifts include two 12-hour day shifts, followed by two 12-hour night shifts, and then four days off. However, after 6 months of training and mentoring, there is potential for more flexible working arrangements.

While this is a high-pressure role, it is also one of the most rewarding. You will play a critical role in saving lives and supporting your community in their most challenging moments. The work is challenging, but knowing you made a difference at the end of each shift makes it all worthwhile.

What we can offer

• A role that sees you having a positive impact on your community every shift
• A family-oriented environment where your team are excited to be at work alongside you.
• Full on-the-job training and fantastic career progression opportunities
• Free on-site parking
• Flexible working (including part time options) available after the 6-month training period.
• Fulfilment from your work as you help to save lives, and a sense of pride knowing that you are working for a not-for-profit that is an iconic part of the Greater Wellington and Wairarapa region.
• We offer access to EAP to our staff members.
• Staff benefits including annual flu vaccinations and great discounts at several supportive businesses across our region.

Make no mistake, this is a demanding role in a fast-paced environment. You will need to ensure you are someone who can remain calm under pressure and is able to multi-task effectively.

About us

Wellington Free Ambulance’s vision is to be a trusted and reliable ambulance service that provides excellence in emergency response and connected services to move our communities to better health.

We’re the only emergency ambulance service for Greater Wellington and Wairarapa and proud of the place we hold in our communities, and the high-quality care that our people deliver every day. As well as providing emergency ambulance services, Wellington Free Ambulance also provides a Patient Transfer Service that transports patients to and from scheduled healthcare appointments, a Clinical Communications Centre answering 111 calls, and Event Medical support to a huge number of community, sporting and festival events. We also teach our communities lifesaving CPR skills through The Lloyd Morrison Foundation Heartbeat Programme.

Wellington Free Ambulance has been described as having a boutique feel due to the specific region we serve. Our region covers an area from Cook Strait in the south to just north of Waikanae around Peka Peka on the Kāpiti Coast. In the Wairarapa, our area goes as far north as Mt Bruce. In total, around 500,000 people call our region home. Thanks to our boutique feel, when you join you become part of our whānau and really do make a huge impact on our communities!

Wellington Free Ambulance is committed to building an inclusive workforce with a focus on equity, diversity and inclusion to provide a stronger internal and external culture and to improve our organisational performance. We value and embrace differences in all people and encourage diverse ways of thinking and being.

Skills and Experiences:
Who we are looking for

Unshakeable Resilience & Mental Toughness – You will deal with highly emotional and distressing situations daily. The ability to manage stress, stay composed, and think clearly under pressure is essential.
Confidence Under Pressure – When every second counts, you need to be decisive, assertive, and able to take control of challenging situations.
Strong Communication & Empathy – You will be speaking to people in highly emotional and often life-threatening situations. Being able to calmly guide callers, build rapport quickly, and extract critical details is vital.
Quick Thinking & Problem Solving – Emergencies are unpredictable. You must be able to assess situations rapidly, make informed decisions, and adapt to constantly changing circumstances.
Ability to Multi-Task in a Fast-Paced Environment – You will need to listen, type, think, and respond simultaneously, all while maintaining 100% accuracy and speed.
Commitment to Learning & Growth – This role comes with intensive training and requires a mindset of continuous improvement. Every call is different, and you must be ready to learn, adapt, and refine your skills every day.

Please note that previous medical training or experience is not required in this role.

This is not an easy job—but for the right person, it is one of the most meaningful and rewarding roles out there. If you have the mental strength, determination, and passion to make a difference, we encourage you to apply!

If you would like to learn more about our great place to work, and what the Call Taker does - please Click here.

The successful applicants must be available to commence full time work from the 12 May 2025.

Applications close on 19 March 2025. If you require further information, please email recruitment@wfa.org.nz

Because this role is classified as ‘safety sensitive,’ a Pre-employment Health Check, including a Drug and Alcohol test, is required. This test screens for various substances, including prescription medications.

The five drug classes that fall under the AS/NZS-4308:2008 banner for workplace drug testing are as follows:

• Amphetamine-type substances
• Benzodiazepines
• Cannabis Metabolites
• Cocaine metabolites
• Opiates

If your health check results are abnormal or your drug test returns a non-negative result, you may be required to provide further information and/or medical clearance.