BCSO Control Room Operator

Buncombe County; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Buncombe County is seeking a security dispatcher for its Detention Facility and County Court House. The role focuses on monitoring surveillance, relaying information, and coordinating staff during emergencies to ensure safety for officers, inmates, and facilities.

The position requires clear communication, sound judgment in routine and emergency situations, and the ability to work varied shifts as part of a 24/7 operation. Prior security or public safety experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent and 3 years in criminal justice or emergency services.
• Ability to monitor cameras and communicate clearly in emergencies.
• Knowledge of safety policies and procedures for detention facilities.

Responsibilities

• Monitor security cameras to identify emergencies and coordinate access.
• Receive messages via radio/phone and relay information to staff.
• Dispatch appropriate personnel per established procedures.
• Operate jail management software and document outcomes.
• Control access doors and provide information per policy.

Skills

Two-way radio operation

Emergency response

De-escalation & communication

Public safety awareness

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

3 years experience in criminal justice or emergency services

Tools

Two-way radio equipment

Job description

Purpose of the position

This position is responsible for performing a variety of duties pertaining to the safety and security of the officers, inmates, and facilities of the County Court House and Detention Center , including monitoring security cameras for emergencies and reporting situations to the on-duty supervisor.

Essential Functions of the position

• Monitoring security cameras in the Detention Facility and Court House to identify and address any emergency situations of possible issues that arise and allowing access to the facilities when needed.
• Responsible for receiving radio and telephone messages, answering public calls and transferring calls to appropriate staff, relaying messages to appropriate staff.
• Receives calls and dispatches appropriate personnel in accordance with established procedures.
• Operates a computer terminal connected to the Jail Management software and communicates the allowable information as appropriate.
• Responsible for egress and access doors for the facility as requested or necessary.
• Provides information to public as allowed by policy and state law as requested.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Work Schedule

• Adheres to assigned work schedule as outlined in the Department and County attendance policies and procedures.
• The Detention Facility is a 24/7 operation and as such persons must be able to work various shift assignments, including night shift, weekends, and holidays.

• Typical shift will be 10 hours with a 30-minute lunch break and two 15-minute breaks.
• Regular, predictable attendance is essential

*Note: This position has been identified as an emergency essential position and as such employees in this position may be needed to work, including after-hours, weekends and during a public emergency (to include but not limited to: floods, ice storms, disease outbreak, terrorist attack, etc).

Supervision Received

Receives close and frequent supervision related to specific work activities, assignments, methods, etc.; instructions are detailed and assignments are typically short-term and routine.

Supervisory/Leadership Responsibilities

None

Decision Making and Problem Solving

Most problems are routine or predictable in nature, position requires critical thinking ability to determine the best course of action with social/people or technical/mechanical problems. Uses established policies and procedures for attaining goals and objectives within the specific area of work.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge of local laws, ordinances and the North Carolina General Statutes pertaining to the commitment and confinement of inmates.
• Ability to use considerable tact and firmness in obtaining information from distressed persons.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in receiving messages, responding to emergency situations, and dispatching calls.
• Working knowledge of the geographical layout of the Detention Facility and the general workflow of both foot traffic and vehicle traffic in and around the facility.
• Working knowledge of the operation of two-way radio equipment and related Federal Communication Commission regulations.
• Knowledge of practices and procedures involved in inmate management.
• Some knowledge of the operation and location of law enforcement units.
• Skill in the operation of two-way radio equipment.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations.
• Ability to speak clearly, distinctly and politely.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public.
• Ability to maintain simple but effective files, records and reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to maintain courteous and tactful relationships with families of inmates, attorneys, ministers and other persons concerned with the welfare of individual inmates.
• Ability to take prompt and effective action during detention facility emergencies.

Organization Conformance Standards for all positions

• Interact with other employees, customers, and partners in an effective manner, with professionalism and cultural competency; work effectively and efficiently as a team contributor including interacting and communicating clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Maintain knowledge of the agency organizational rules, policies, procedures, services, and mission.
• Plan, prioritize, and organize work effectively to produce quality work with measurable results and within identified deadlines; Function in highly stressful circumstances and demonstrate the ability to adapt to changing priorities, deadlines, and directions; ability to maintain calm demeanor while dealing with stressful situations and customers.
• Demonstrate the County’s core values through performance and conduct. This expectation extends beyond the workplace and County systems to include off-site, and off-duty conduct that undermines an employee’s creditability as a representative of the County ; Conduct business in an ethical manner at all times while maintaining a high level of professionalism and confidentiality .
• Coordinate work efforts with other employees and organizations to accomplish a common task; responsible for managing matters affecting employment and completing personnel-related activities timely and according to County policy.
• Safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with ADAAA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with ADAAA, FMLA and other federal state and local standards.
• Ability to successfully pass a drug screen and criminal background check.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire)

High School diploma or equivalent and three (3) years of experience in a criminal justice or emergency services field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Training and Experience

None

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation

None

Physical Requirements

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery including various two-way radios and communications equipment, and office machines such as computers, typewriters, calculators, copiers, etc. Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

During a State of Emergency, and at the discretion of the County Manager, county employees may be called in for service. This includes both essential and non-essential personnel.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by an employee assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities and the County reserves the right to amend or change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. This job description does not create a contract of employment.

Employees who are regularly engaged in law enforcement activities will be paid overtime in a manner consistent with 29 U.S.C. 207(k) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. By way of example, newly hired sworn deputies who are employed to regularly engage in law enforcement activities should receive a notification advising them of a 14-day work period, a 14-day pay period running from every other Friday, and that pay at a time-and-a-half rate will begin after the employee has worked their 86th hour within the work period.

In accordance with 29 C.FR. 553.21, Section 7(o) at (o)(2)(A)(ii), In the case of employees described in clause (A)(ii) hired prior to April 15, 1986, the regular practice in effect on April 15, 1986, with respect to compensatory time off for such employees in lieu of the receipt of overtime compensation, shall constitute an agreement or understanding under such clause (A)(ii). Except as provided in the previous sentence, the provision of compensatory time off to such employees for hours worked after April 14, 1986, shall be in accordance with this subsection.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.