911 Communications Operator Trainee

Broward County Sheriff's Office; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 63,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Broward County Sheriff's Office is seeking an entry-level Regional Communications Operator I Trainee to join the Regional Communications Academy. You will learn to respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire, medical, and other public safety services, using CAD and VIPER equipment.

Through classroom instruction and on-the-job training, you'll progress toward a certified dispatcher, with a focus on IAED protocols and evolving call-taking skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1 year of clerical/data entry/public contact/customer service experience preferred.
• Experience in emergency dispatch or related field preferred.
• Telecommunicator Certification preferred.
• Equivalent combination of training and experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Attend the Regional Communications Academy for preparatory training.
• Learn and apply AED/IAED protocols and CAD/VIPER software.
• Provide call-taking for police, fire, medical and other public safety services.
• Complete classroom work and on-the-job training with a Regional Communications Training Officer.
• Perform duties with flexibility for weekends, holidays, and overtime as required.

Skills

Clerical

Data entry

Public contact

Customer service

Education

High school diploma

Telecommunicator Certification

Tools

CAD

VIPER

Job description

• High school diploma or equivalent. An evaluation of foreign high school diploma may be required.
• One (1) year of documented experience and/or training involving clerical, data entry, public contact and/or customer service work preferred.
• Experience in a police and/or fire rescue emergency dispatch center, police aide work, explorer program and/or college level course work in criminal justice, telecommunications, or related field preferred.
• Graduates holding a Department of Health Telecommunicator Certification preferred.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered. Such experience must be clearly documented for consideration.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Continued employment contingent upon the ability to participate in and satisfactorily complete within the initial probationary period the established in-house training and national certifications outlined herein that provide essential knowledge and skill in the communications dispatch function; successful completion of radio training on one (1) primary police dispatch radio group or one (1) primary fire rescue dispatch radio group required.

Employees in this classification are scheduled for shift assignments, which will include weekends, holidays, overtime hours, and extended emergency activation events (ie. hurricanes). Employees must engage in flexible work assignments as directed in order to meet probationary standards and requirements.

Employees must acquire and maintain active certifications (where applicable) for the following requirements:

• FCIC/NCIC Terminal Access Certification
• Crisis Intervention
• IAED Emergency Dispatch Certifications (EFD and EMD)
• APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification
• APCO Fire Service Communications Certification
• CPR Certification
• ICS 100, 144, 200, 700, 800 Certifications

Trainees who are successful with the training program and any necessary certifications will be reallocated to Step 1 of the Regional Communications Operator I pay scale ($62,725.76).

This is an entry level classification which provides the opportunity for both instructional and practical experience and broad exposure to the fundamentals of emergency call taking. Through attendance in the Regional Communications Academy, trainees will be educated to the processes of responding to callers reporting emergency and non-emergency complaints for police, fire, medical, and other public safety services received via telephone, text message, and other communications devices within the Regional Communications Division of the Broward County Sheriff's Office. This is an entry level position in which emphasis is placed on training the incumbent for continued advancement through the Communications Operator classification series. Employees receive classroom instruction that will introduce law enforcement, fire, and medical call interrogation techniques, education, and certification on International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) protocols, and the utilization of various software applications to include Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and VIPER telephonic equipment. Classroom training will be followed by on-the-job training with a Regional Communications Training Officer prior to being released to work independently on call taking assignments. Employees in this classification receive supervision and administrative direction from a supervisor. Emphasis is placed on training the incumbent for continued employment within the agency. Performs related work as directed.

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

Attends the Regional Communications Academy intended to provide preparatory training for a career in regional communications.

Actively participates in classroom instruction that will introduce law enforcement, fire, and medical call interrogation techniques, International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) protocols, and the utilization of various software applications to include Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), VIPER telephonic equipment.

Successfully completes all assigned classroom work as scheduled and passes all testing and certifications presented during the Academy.

Successfully completes on-the-job training with a Regional Communications Training Officer focusing upon all duties and tasks associated with emergency and non-emergency call taking.

Performs related duties as directed.

Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Work is performed in usual office conditions with rare exposure to disagreeable environmental factors. Tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds. Tasks require oral communications ability.

Broward Sheriff’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Broward Sheriff’s Office will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Applicants who qualify will be subject to an extensive selection process and screening program, which may include, but not be limited to evaluation of training and experience; written test; computer based test; interview; polygraph examination; psychological evaluation; employment record, fingerprint and background check; medical examination; and drug screen. The expected duration of the selection process varies by position and could last 10 to 12 weeks. Reapplication will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

BSO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, citizenship status, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Veterans’ preference per Florida law.