CERTIFIED EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

COUNTY OF CULPEPER; Culpeper (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental plans

Retirement plan

Job summary

County of Culpeper is seeking certified emergency communications operators/dispatchers to handle 911 and non-emergency calls for the Public Safety Communications Center in Culpeper County. Responsibilities include interviewing callers, prioritizing emergencies, and coordinating dispatch with police, fire, and EMS units.

The role requires completion of a comprehensive in-house training program within six months and multiple DCJS courses, with a background check and Virginia driver’s license prior

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to a high school diploma; public safety experience preferred.
• Must successfully complete criminal history background investigation including fingerprinting; no felonies; review on case-by-case basis.
• Must possess a valid Virginia driver’s license.
• Ability to complete in-house training within 6 months of employment; pass required DCJS courses within stated timelines.
• Must attend and pass numerous DCJS and related training courses listed in the job description.

Responsibilities

• Answer 911 and non-emergency lines for the Public Safety Communications Center.
• Interview callers to obtain essential information and record data on incidents as they develop.
• Analyze calls for priority level of emergency response and determine actions to protect life and property.
• Broadcast calls to field units and coordinate dispatch and back-up as needed.
• Operate and enter information into CAD, radio, and phone systems accurately.
• Maintain composure and professionalism in stressful or hostile situations.
• Assist supervisory staff and liaise with agencies regarding Center operations.
• Prepare and maintain records, files, and reports.

Skills

Multitasking

Emergency Situations

Communication

Listening skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Computer-aided dispatch systems

Job description

Job Summary

Responsible for performing responsible telecommunications work under frequent stressful conditions. Work is in the receipt of emergency and non-emergency calls for service from the public, law enforcement, and fire and rescue communities, as well as maintenance of radio communications with same emergency units.

• This job announcement is for certified emergency communications operators/dispatchers only. We are not currently accepting applications for trainees.

Job Functions

Essential Job Functions

• Answer phone calls on 911 lines and non-emergency lines for the Culpeper County Public Safety Communications Center
• Interview callers to obtain essential information and record data on incidents as they develop
• Analyze calls for priority level of emergency response and take or recommend an effective course of action to protect life and property by applying complex police and fire policies and procedures
• Broadcast calls for service to police/fire field units, order services requested by field units, dispatch and/or cancel field unit back-up assistance and monitor field units for service availability
• Operate sophisticated computer-aided dispatch radio and phone systems and accurately enter information into the computer, including brief descriptions of crimes, incidents, or other emergencies
• Maintain composure and professionalism when dealing with hostile or frightened callers during stressful or rapidly changing situations
• Assist supervisory and directorial staff in various tasks
• Assist in liaison activities with any and all agencies and persons regarding all operations of the Center
• Prepare and maintain records and files; Prepare reports

Non-essential Job Functions

• Provides information and education to the public on EMS, public safety and related topics
• Perform related duties as required

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Education equivalent to a high school diploma. Public safety experience is preferred.

Special Qualifications

Must successfully complete criminal history background investigation, including fingerprinting to include no felony convictions, no serious misdemeanor convictions, all convictions shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Must possess a valid Virginia driver’s license. Ability to successfully complete in-house training program within 6 months of employment. Must attend and pass DCJS Communications Basic Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain NCIC/VCIN, CPR, and EMD within one year of employment. Must complete and pass: IC 100, 200; NIMS 700; PST1; CPR; EMD; Fire Communications; Dispatchers Role in Homeland Security; and DCJS Basic Communications School.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to learn the methods of operating communication systems, radios and teletype procedures
• Ability to operate complex computerized equipment rapidly and accurately while receiving information by telephone
• Ability to work well in emergency situations
• Ability to speak distinctly and learn correct telephone answering techniques
• Ability to hear and distinguish between several voices at the same time while acquiring and retaining information such as names, numbers and locations
• Ability to wear headset
• Ability and willingness to work any shift to which assigned
• Ability and willingness to work assigned weekends and holidays
• Ability to read maps and knowledge of county geographical area, road systems and the locations of landmarks.
• Ability to multitask
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to deal courteously with public under stressful conditions including handling irate persons and emotional situations
• Skill in working under pressure of deadlines and establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with employees, officials, other agencies and the general public

Working Conditions & Disclaimer

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Essential functions are regularly performed in a public safety emergency communications center setting, often under stressful conditions, primarily sitting for extended periods of time at a telecommunications console position utilizing radio, telephone, and computer equipment. Hours of operation are 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The employee is primarily scheduled for shift work hours which normally are 2-3 day periods consisting of 12-hour days. Work periods may have permanent or rotating days off, frequently requiring the employee to work holidays, evenings, or nights. The employee in this position is considered essential personnel, and is subject to working overtime, being held over, or called back for disasters, local emergencies, or special events. Frequent contact with the public, police, fire, and emergency services.

Disclaimer

This above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications as required of employees assigned to this job.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Culpeper County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

General Sign-off

The employee is expected to adhere to all County policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.

The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications as required of employees assigned to this job.

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

County Of Culpeper Benefits

• Full-time employees have access to a wide variety of benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, life insurance, optional life and disability insurance plans, flexible spending accounts, and a deferred compensation program.
• As a condition of full-time employment, each individual is enrolled in a retirement plan with the Virginia Retirement System that provides a monthly benefit to all retirees for life. VRS Plans 1 and 2 and the VRS Enhanced Hazardous Duty plans are defined benefit plans. The VRS Hybrid plan consists of both a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan.
• All individuals are required to contribute 5% of their gross salary to their retirement account each month as a condition of employment.
• The County of Culpeper provides a basic life insurance plan for all eligible employees. The coverage amount is an employee's annual salary, rounded up to the next highest thousand, then multiplied by 2. The County pays 100% of the cost of this benefit. Additional coverage may be purchased.
• The County offers two (2) medical plans: an HMO & an HSA.
• The County offers three comprehensive dental plans for employees and their eligible dependents.
• The County follows the state calendar for paid holidays. Vacation and sick accrual depend on the agency, office, or department in which an individual is employed.
• The County currently utilizes a merit pay system to determine employee salary increases. This does not apply to Culpeper Human Services.
• The County offers basic income protection in the event an employee is unable to perform the essential functions of his or her position. The County pays for this coverage for all VRS members.
• The County also offers additional income protection that will continue beyond the short term disability period until an employee is able to return to work or reaches retirement age. This coverage is provided for a nominal cost to employees covered under VRS Plans 1 and 2 and the VRS Enhanced Hazardous Duty plan. This coverage is provided at no cost to all employees covered under the VRS Hybrid plan.
• The County offers voluntary insurance programs through a variety of insurance carriers. These include:
• Accident Plan
• Cancer Plan
• Whole Life Insurance
• Critical Illness Plans
• The County offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that allows employees to set aside up to $2,500 annually, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deductions, to pay for eligible medical, dental, or vision expenses. The IRS regulates this program and runs concurrently with the benefit plan year.
• The County offers a Dependent Care Assistance Program that allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 annually, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deductions, to pay eligible dependent care expenses. The IRS regulates this program and runs concurrently with the benefit plan year. Open enrollment is held annually.
• The County offers a 457 as another alternative to set aside money for retirement.
• This employer uses E-Verify
• For more information please go to: http://www.uscis.gov

Are you currently certified to be an emergency communications operator/dispatcher?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question