The Office of Unified Communications' Junior Academy is a free of cost, two (2) week program composed of 5 in-person sessions that aim to familiarize young adults with OUC career opportunities, with the hope of onboarding participants who have a passion for public safety and serving residents.
Program Overview
The Office of Unified Communications hosts cohorts of the Junior Academy every spring and fall. The next cohort of the OUC Junior Academy will be in April 2026. The sessions include:
- An overview of 911 and 311 communications and call handling simulations
- A question-and-answer session with OUC leadership
- A mock CritiCall test, the national pre-employment test for 911 call takers and dispatchers
- Visits with our public safety partners at the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (DC Fire and EMS), Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS), DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (DC HSEMA), and more.
- A graduation ceremony and a certificate of completion
If you are ready to start your career at OUC, please visit careers.dc.gov.