911 Emergency Communications Technician I

Baltimore County; Towson (MD); On-site; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Baltimore County 911 Center is seeking qualified applicants for emergency dispatch positions. The role involves operating radios, telephones, and computer systems to receive requests for emergency services and dispatch Fire/EMS or Police units as needed.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications, complete testing, pass a background check and medical exam, and maintain required dispatcher certificates. Positions require flexibility for nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Pass comprehensive background investigation and drug test.
• Complete and pass testing onsite at the Computer Training Center.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Possession of Emergency Dispatcher certificates as required by Maryland/IAED.

Responsibilities

• Receive emergency requests via telephone, radio, and computer.
• Enter information quickly and accurately to dispatch according to established protocol.
• Relays information to appropriate dispatch points as needed.
• Logs calls and actions taken; monitors status of units.
• Provide first aid guidance to callers per established guidelines.
• Cross-train and maintain proficiency in two operational areas (911, Fire Dispatch or Police Dispatch).

Skills

Data entry

Multi-tasking

Critical thinking

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Pay Schedule 1-E, Grade 5-E, Regular Schedule: 84 Hours Bi-Weekly.

Vacancies exist in the 911 Center, Office of Budget and Finance.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

All interested transfer and promotional candidates must apply at this time.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due toreclassificationas separate work experiences on your application.

1. Be at least 18 years of age at time of appointment.

2. Have a high school diploma, GED, or an appropriate equivalent.

3. Complete and pass additional testing onsite at the Computer Training Center.

4. Complete and pass a comprehensive background investigation; and

5. Pass a physical and medical examination.

NOTE: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

IMPORTANT TESTING INFORMATION BELOW

MAKE SURE TO READ ABOUT THE TESTING PROCESS OUTLINED IN THE QUALIFICATIONS SECTION OF THIS JOB POSTING.

Job Purpose

Under general supervision, operates a variety of radios, telephones, keyboards, computers and other electronic devices in the County 911 Center in order to receive and respond to requests for emergency assistance, and to dispatch Fire/EMS or Police units to alleviate situations that endanger or potentially endanger, lives and/or property in Baltimore County.

Examples of Essential Job Duties

• Receives requests for emergency services via telephone, radio, and computer.
• Accurately and quickly enters into a computer or records manually information needed to dispatch according to established protocol.
• Supplies additional information to appropriate dispatch points as required.
• Logs, manually or electronically, calls for dispatch handled and actions taken.
• Receives and handles requests for non-emergency assistance and information.
• Relays information or requests to other jurisdictions or agencies via radio or telephone.
• Provides first aid and basic life support instructions to callers from established guidelines.
• Operates radio transmitter and receiver to dispatch fire, police, or EMS personnel and equipment to life or property-threatening emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Determines and coordinates response of equipment according to established protocol.
• Monitors and accurately records status and location of units electronically or manually.
• Supplies and/or relays information to appropriate Fire, EMS, and Police elements. Monitors Fire/EMS or Police calls of adjacent jurisdictions.
• Uses a variety of computer systems to access sensitive information pertaining to motor vehicle registrations and warrants.
• Uses maps and other reference materials when necessary to determine correct location of response.

Examples of Other Duties

• Files and maintains necessary records
• Records statistical information and completes various forms
• May guide and assist co-workers
• Performs other related duties as required

NOTE:

The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.

Required Education and Qualifications

Possession of a high school diploma or an appropriate equivalent.

Age Requirement

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment.

Character Requirements

All applicants must be of good moral character and emotionally stable, as determined by a comprehensive background investigation and drug test.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of valid Emergency Medical Dispatcher certificate issued by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems
• Valid Emergency Fire, Medical, and Police Dispatcher certificates issued by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED)
• Completion of a state approved Emergency Telecommunicator program is required within six months of hire
• Some positions require completion of the Criminal Justice Information System program. Certifications required by 911 Administration must be maintained throughout employment

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

Applicants meeting the required qualifications will be sent a link to the e-mail provided on their application to take an initial online data entry examination. The online testing will include modules that evaluate skills such as data entry, multi-tasking, and critical thinking. The 911 Center will notify all applicants of pass/fail results for the online testing.

Applicants who successfully pass this phase of the initial online testing, will be invited at a later date to continue with the examination process in-person. The in-person test will include modules that evaluate skills such as data entry, multi-tasking, and critical thinking using a headset, PC, and keyboard.Persons appointed to this classification are on probation for a twenty-four-month period. Persons appointed to this position will be required to work on either a rotating or fixed shift basis, which will require nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

Persons appointed to this position must satisfactorily complete and maintain center mandated certifications as required. Incumbents who do not attain the full performance minimum qualifications will be terminated.

All employees are required to cross-train and maintain proficiency in at least two operational areas (911, Fire Dispatch or Police Dispatch). Incumbents who do not complete cross-training may be terminated.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

The work of this classification entails sitting for long periods of time and the operation of data entry and other equipment in which manipulative skills and hand-eye coordination are important.

Applicants selected for these positions must be able to safely perform the duties of the position without posing a threat to the health or safety of themselves or others as determined by a physical examination.

Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation

Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to a criminal background, education certification and fingerprint checks.