911 Telecommunicator

Catawba County Government; Newton (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Catawba County Emergency Services seeks reliable Telecommunicators for the 911 Communications Center. You will answer 911 and non-emergency calls, gather information, and dispatch police, fire, and EMS units using CAD and radio systems.

Requires high school diploma or GED, 18+, ability to pass CritiCall, and willingness to work 12-hour day or night shifts including weekends; confidentiality and calm under pressure are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be 18 years or older.
• Able to pass CritiCall exam as part of the selection process.
• Must meet Division of Criminal Information (DCI) standards.

Responsibilities

• Answer and process emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Gather essential details and determine the appropriate level of response.
• Dispatch public safety units via two-way radio and CAD.
• Determine response requirements for medical emergencies using the EMD program.
• Document call details and maintain responder status updates in CAD.
• Perform DCI queries and relay critical information.
• Read and interpret maps to assist responders and callers.
• Maintain confidentiality and secure access to sensitive data.
• Support after-hours calls for other County departments.
• Learn and obtain all necessary certifications.
• Must be flexible with work schedule, including holidays, nights, weekends, and overtime as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Multitasking

Communication skills

Typing 35 wpm

Listening

Calm under pressure

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Catawba County Emergency Services is looking for reliable, calm, and service-oriented individuals to join our 911 Communications Center as Telecommunicators. As the essential link between the public and emergency responders, Telecommunicators are responsible for answering 911 and non-emergency calls, gathering critical information, and dispatching law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel. This role involves working in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment that requires multitasking, sound judgment, and the ability to remain composed under pressure.

This position requires working 12-hour mid-day and night shifts, including weekends, holidays, and overtime, based on the operational needs of the 911 Center.

Top applicants will be scheduled to complete a CritiCall test on-site before advancing in the hiring process. Testing will be offered Tuesday, September 22, through Thursday, September 24. Applicants should allow 1-1.5 hours for testing.

• Answer and process emergency and non-emergency calls for service
• Gather essential details and determine the appropriate level of response
• Dispatch public safety units via two-way radio and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD)
• Determine response requirements for medical emergencies using the Emergency Medical Dispatch program
• Document call details and maintain responder status updates in CAD
• Perform DCI queries and relay critical law enforcement information
• Read and interpret maps to assist responders and callers
• Maintain confidentiality and secure access to sensitive data
• Support after-hours calls for other County departments
• Learn and obtain all necessary certifications
• Must be flexible with work schedule, including holidays, nights, weekends, and overtime as needed
• Perform additional duties as assigned

• High school diploma or GED equivalent, along with demonstrated ability to perform the essential duties of the position
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Ability to pass a CritiCall exam (part of the selection process)
• Ability to meet Division of Criminal Information (DCI) standards

• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills
• Ability to recognize and comprehend another person's speech, including listening to and understanding information and ideas conveyed through spoken words and sentences
• Ability to clearly communicate information and ideas in written and spoken language so that others understand
• Ability to transmit, broadcast, switch, control, and operate telecommunications systems and other relevant equipment (e.g., computers, phones, etc.)
• Ability to monitor multiple radio talk groups simultaneously and to distinguish between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness
• Ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without distraction, and when necessary, switch between two or more activities or sources of information
• Ability to type at least 35 words per minute
• Physical requirements include: the ability to sit for extended periods, light lifting or carrying up to 10 pounds, adequate vision, hearing, and speech, and the ability to work in an environment that may be noisy at times

Preferences:

• Experience in a 911 communications or emergency response center
• Background in medical, fire, or law enforcement fields

• Familiarity with emergency radio and phone systems