Chief Clerk/Radio Operator

Erie County, Pennsylvania; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 15,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan after 5 years

Paid time off

Holiday pay and floating holiday

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Erie County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a Radio Operator to manage the Sheriff’s Office radio systems and coordinate communications for deputies and other agencies. The role supports internal communications and routine operations, requiring professional, accurate information transfer under pressure.

The position is posted at $13.59 per hour, 37.5 hours per week, with full-time benefits including health insurance, pension eligibility after five years, paid time off, holidays, and EAP.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Basic computer literacy.
• High School Diploma or GED.

Responsibilities

• Answer calls for service and enter information into the CAD system for dispatch of EMS, Fire or Police.
• Dispatch and coordinate radio traffic between emergency service providers and deputies.

Skills

Active listening

Clear communication

Decision making

Multitasking

Calm under pressure

Policy adherence

Integrity

Reading comprehension

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

• The Radio Operator is responsible for the operation and monitoring of Sheriff's Office radio communications equipment and the coordination of radio traffic involving Sheriff's Office personnel. The employee facilitates communications between deputies, supervisory personnel, courthouse security personnel, and other authorized law enforcement or public safety agencies to support the safe and efficient performance of departmental operations.
• Work includes receiving, transmitting, monitoring, and documenting radio communications; relaying information and requests for assistance; maintaining awareness of deputy and personnel status; monitoring assigned radio frequencies; and coordinating communications during routine operations, emergencies, security incidents, and other law enforcement activities. The employee may receive and relay requests for service, conduct authorized information checks through approved law enforcement systems, maintain communication logs, and notify appropriate supervisory personnel of significant incidents or developing situations.
• The Radio Operator is expected to exercise sound judgment, maintain accurate records, safeguard confidential and sensitive information, and communicate clearly and professionally under routine and stressful conditions. The employee shall follow established departmental procedures, radio protocols, applicable laws, and information security requirements. Work is performed under the direction of designated supervisory personnel, with responsibility for maintaining reliable communications and providing timely operational support to Sheriff's Office personnel.
• This position is primarily dedicated to internal Sheriff's Office communications and operational support and does not, by itself, constitute responsibility for countywide 911 call-taking or primary emergency dispatch services.
• Health Care, Dental & Vision Insurance-low cost, health care (Highmark or UPMC) for both individuals and families. A pension plan -fully vested after five years of service. Paid time off-first year employees receive 40 hours of personal time, 48 hours of vacation time and 120 hours of sick time (prorated based on start date). Access to an Employee Assistance Program, Holiday Pay-13 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday
• (employee's birthday)

Duties & Responsibilities

• Answers calls and other calls-for-service requesting assistance, ensuring the proper, timely and accurate information is entered into our computer-aided dispatch system for the subsequent dispatch of the appropriate emergency service providers. Dispatch of emergency service providers (EMS, Fire or Police) to the location of the emergency and monitor their activities as needed to provide additional support by coordinating all radio transmissions between emergency service providers. Operates the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)/Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) to conduct inquiries, entries and/or communications messages requested by sworn law enforcement personnel. The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Must possess good listening skills. Must possess clear, distinct and fluent verbal and written communication skills. Must possess good decision-making skills. Must be able to acquire multi-tasking skills. Must be able to remain calm in stressful situations and react quickly to emergency situations. Must be able to read, comprehend and adhere to established county and/or departmental policy, procedures and training manuals. Must possess high moral standards, integrity, impartiality and good judgment in dealing with the general public and emergency service providers. Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time with intermittent break periods to carry out duties and responsibilities on a daily basis.
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Basic computer literacy.
• High School Diploma or GED

Conditions Of Employment

• - Must pass a criminal background check.
• - Must pass alcohol and drug testing. Must successfully pass all requirements to attain the certifications necessary to complete the training program for the position within 3 months.
• - Satisfactory completion of continuing education courses, associated examinations and maintaining certification requirements is a prerequisite for continued employment.
• *All training is paid and provided by the county at no cost to employees.

Position: Chief Clerk/Radio Operator

Department Sheriff Location Erie County Courthouse Status Full Time Starting Pay Rate $13.59 Hourly Hours Per Week 37.5 Exemption Status Non-Exempt Posting Date 10/20/2026 Closing Date 11/03/2026 Pay Grade AC05 Bargaining Unit AFSCME CLERICAL/TECHNICAL Posting Number 5905

Definition of Class

• The Radio Operator is responsible for the operation and monitoring of Sheriff's Office radio communications equipment and the coordination of radio traffic involving Sheriff's Office personnel. The employee facilitates communications between deputies, supervisory personnel, courthouse security personnel, and other authorized law enforcement or public safety agencies to support the safe and efficient performance of departmental operations.
• Work includes receiving, transmitting, monitoring, and documenting radio communications; relaying information and requests for assistance; maintaining awareness of deputy and personnel status; monitoring assigned radio frequencies; and coordinating communications during routine operations, emergencies, security incidents, and other law enforcement activities. The employee may receive and relay requests for service, conduct authorized information checks through approved law enforcement systems, maintain communication logs, and notify appropriate supervisory personnel of significant incidents or developing situations.
• The Radio Operator is expected to exercise sound judgment, maintain accurate records, safeguard confidential and sensitive information, and communicate clearly and professionally under routine and stressful conditions. The employee shall follow established departmental procedures, radio protocols, applicable laws, and information security requirements. Work is performed under the direction of designated supervisory personnel, with responsibility for maintaining reliable communications and providing timely operational support to Sheriff's Office personnel.
• This position is primarily dedicated to internal Sheriff's Office communications and operational support and does not, by itself, constitute responsibility for countywide 911 call-taking or primary emergency dispatch services.
• Health Care, Dental & Vision Insurance-low cost, health care (Highmark or UPMC) for both individuals and families. A pension plan -fully vested after five years of service. Paid time off-first year employees receive 40 hours of personal time, 48 hours of vacation time and 120 hours of sick time (prorated based on start date). Access to an Employee Assistance Program, Holiday Pay-13 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday
• (employee's birthday)

Duties & Responsibilities

• Answers calls and other calls-for-service requesting assistance, ensuring the proper, timely and accurate information is entered into our computer-aided dispatch system for the subsequent dispatch of the appropriate emergency service providers. Dispatch of emergency service providers (EMS, Fire or Police) to the location of the emergency and monitor their activities as needed to provide additional support by coordinating all radio transmissions between emergency service providers. Operates the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)/Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) to conduct inquiries, entries and/or communications messages requested by sworn law enforcement personnel. The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Must possess good listening skills. Must possess clear, distinct and fluent verbal and written communication skills. Must possess good decision-making skills. Must be able to acquire multi-tasking skills. Must be able to remain calm in stressful situations and react quickly to emergency situations. Must be able to read, comprehend and adhere to established county and/or departmental policy, procedures and training manuals. Must possess high moral standards, integrity, impartiality and good judgment in dealing with the general public and emergency service providers. Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time with intermittent break periods to carry out duties and responsibilities on a daily basis.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Basic computer literacy.
• High School Diploma or GED

Conditions Of Employment

• - Must pass a criminal background check.
• - Must pass alcohol and drug testing. Must successfully pass all requirements to attain the certifications necessary to complete the training program for the position within 3 months.
• - Satisfactory completion of continuing education courses, associated examinations and maintaining certification requirements is a prerequisite for continued employment.
• *All training is paid and provided by the county at no cost to employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Erie County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Erie County Government values the power of diversity in our workforce. Our goal is to continue developing inclusive workforce policies that require individual equality, support the diversity of employee experiences, and include unique perspectives.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.