911 Emergency Communications Technician I

Baltimore County; Towson (MD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life Insurance

Job summary

Baltimore County seeks an Emergency Communications Technician I for the 911 Center. Operate radios, phones, and computers to dispatch Fire/EMS/Police and to relay life-saving information efficiently.

Applicants must be 18+, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and pass testing and a full background/medical evaluation. Training includes data entry, multitasking, and critical thinking as core skills.

Qualifications

• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be at least 18 years old at time of appointment.
• Complete and pass online and on-site testing.
• Undergo a comprehensive background investigation and medical examination.

Responsibilities

• Operate radios, telephones, keyboards, and computer systems in the County 911 Center to receive and respond to emergency requests.
• Enter and relay dispatch information accurately and promptly according to protocol.
• Log calls and actions, and coordinate with Fire/EMS/Police units as required.
• Provide first aid and basic life support instructions to callers as per guidelines.
• Monitor unit status and location, and relay information to relevant agencies.

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.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experiences on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

You MUST meet the following requirements before you can be hired as an Emergency Communications Technician I:

• Be at least 18 years of age at time of appointment.
• Have a high school diploma, GED, or an appropriate equivalent.
• Complete and pass additional testing onsite at the Computer Training Center.
• Complete and pass a comprehensive background investigation; and
• 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

Examples of Duties

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.

Qualifications

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.

Conditions of Employment

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.

Employment Benefits For Full-Time, Merit Or Classified Employees

Baltimore County General Government offers the following benefits to full-time,merit or classified employees. Some benefits vary for sworn employees of the Police and Fire Departments. New employees are eligible for benefits upon hire, unless noted otherwise.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Baltimore County is an equal opportunity employer and encourages minority, female and disabled applicants.

Smoke free workplace

All Baltimore County offices are smoke free.

Drug free workplace

Baltimore County provides a drug free workplace. Prospective employees are required to submit to urinalysis drug testing as part of the pre-employment physical examination.

Salary

Annual Salary review - Step increases may be granted on anniversary date based on satisfactory job performance

General Increases - Cost of living increases and adjustments may be granted as legislated.

Longevity Increases - In accordance with the specific pay schedule, a full-time merit or classified employee may receive a longevity increase, equivalent to one step, upon completion of a certain number of years of classified service with the County.

Employee Assistance Program

Our Employee Assistance Program provides confidential and professional assessment and referral assistance for employees and eligible dependents in the household who are experiencing personal problems that may be affecting work performance, job satisfaction, or overall quality of life.

Health Insurance

Benefits

Health Insurance benefits elected become effective the first day of the month following the date of hire if the employee has completed online enrollment prior to that date. New employees must enroll within thirty (30) calendar days of hire. Plans offered include: Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Opportunity to set aside pre-tax dollars, through payroll deduction, for eligible unreimbursed medical care expenses and/or dependent care costs.

Life Insurance

Employees may elect basic term life insurance for themselves equal to one time the employee's annual salary, rounded to the next higher $1,000. Employees contribute a portion of the premium through monthly payroll deductions. The County also offers an Additional/Employee paid Life Insurance plan with coverage up to $100,000.

Retirement

Employees are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System (ERS), with very limited exceptions.

Paid Leave

Paid benefits listed below vary depending upon the Classification.

Sick Leave

Vacation Leave

Personal Leave

Holidays

Bereavement Leave

Jury Leave

Military Leave

Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union

Membership in Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union offers a full range of savings programs, loans, checking, direct deposit, payroll deduction, savings bonds, and other financial services.

Direct Deposit

Payroll through direct deposit to the financial institution selected by employee is required.

Educational Assistance

70 to 80 percent tuition reimbursement following successful completion of pre-approved courses related to position. Amount of reimbursement and fiscal year dollar limitations vary with bargaining group.

Deferred