Communication Operator

St. Cloud State University; Florida; On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-Site Health Care Center

Paid Vacation

Sick Leave

11 Paid Holidays

Medical and Dental Coverage

Pension Plan

Flexible Work Schedules

Job summary

City of St. Cloud seeks a Communications Operator to join its Police Department's Emergency Services System. You will receive and transmit calls (including 911), dispatch emergency services, and provide guidance to the public during crises.

This role requires diverse certifications and working shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. You will operate under strict confidentiality and contribute to public safety with calm, professional communication.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older at time of hire.
• Must possess and maintain required certifications within six months.
• Ability to handle crises with confidentiality and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Receive and record all calls for service via telephone, in person, or radio.
• Dispatch emergency services in response to calls and monitor status.
• Provide crisis guidance and referrals to other agencies as needed.
• Monitor progress of responses and update police units and staff.
• Enter and retrieve data; disseminate daily information and records.
• Operate security systems and monitor alarms as required.
• Communicate clearly during off-hours and emergencies.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Customer service

Clear communication

Team coordination

Education

High school diploma or GED

FCIC/NCIC certification

911 PST certification

Emergency Medical Dispatch certification

Emergency Fire Dispatch certification

Emergency Police Dispatch certification

CPR certification

Job description

Now Hiring: Communications Operator

Are you calm under pressure, service-driven, and ready to make a real impact in your community? The Police Department is seeking dedicated Communications Operators to join our Emergency Services System team.

This critical role is responsible for receiving and transmitting messages, coordinating communication between responders, and requesting emergency services as part of the Emergency Services System. As the first point of contact in urgent situations, you play a vital role in ensuring timely, accurate, and professional communication that supports public safety.

We are looking for candidates who reflect our city’s core values:

• Accountability – You understand the importance of accuracy, confidentiality, and reliability in every interaction.
• Empowerment – You take initiative, make informed decisions, and contribute positively to a collaborative team environment.
• Innovation – You embrace technology and continuous improvement to better serve the community.
• Ownership – You take pride in your work and recognize the direct impact your role has on residents, visitors, and emergency personnel.

This position requires flexibility, as hours will vary, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and shift work to ensure 24/7 coverage.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, communicate clearly under pressure, and are committed to serving your community with integrity and professionalism, we encourage you to apply.

Join us in making a difference when it matters most.

Please note: This posting will remain open even when there are no immediate vacancies. The Police Department maintains this continuous posting in order to build and maintain a qualified hiring list for future openings.

Duties and Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Receives and records all calls for service received by telephone, including 911 calls, in person and by radio transmission.
• Dispatches emergency services in response to calls.
• Provides advice and assistance to the public in crisis situations and makes referrals to other agencies as required.
• Monitors the progress of emergency service response; responds for further calls for back-up or support; updates the status and availability of police units, officers and other emergency personnel.
• Enters and retrieves data; prepares and disseminates daily information and records.
• Maintains files on wanted, missing, or lost persons, and stolen vehicles and disseminates information to law enforcement.
• Answers police administrative phone during non-business hours.
• Monitors security system and responds to alarms as needed; monitors and operates security gates.
• Contacts off duty police administration for emergencies.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Minimum Education And Experience Requirements

Minimum 18 years of age.

Requires High School graduation or GED equivalent.

Must possess and maintain FCIC/NCIC certification, 911 PST certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch certification. Emergency Fire Dispatch certification, Emergency Police Dispatch certification and CPR certification within six (6) months of employment.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and communicate. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

Mathematics

Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Language Ability

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Reasoning

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee may be regularly exposed to extreme cold or hot conditions within the office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of St. Cloud is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in all of its employment practices based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran or family status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by applicable state or federal laws. The City participates in employment eligibility verifications through E-verify. Veteran’s preference is given in accordance with Florida Law.

City Of St. Cloud Benefits Package

We believe our City employees to be our most valuable asset. To attract and retain those employees, we offer a competitive wages and benefits package including on-the-job training, seminars, and performance appraisals.

We invite you to look at the benefits the City of St. Cloud has to offer. We think you will find that the rewards of the job are equal to the challenge.

All of our Full-time regular employees are eligible for the city's benefits package, which includes:

• On-Site Employee Health Care Center - free for employees and their dependents on the health insurance plan
• Paid Vacation
• Sick Leave (Ability to roll over from year to year)
• 11 Paid Holidays for General Employees – Sworn Fire department employees can earn up to 156 holiday hours per fiscal year, and sworn Police Officers earn up to 116 holidays hours per fiscal year. (Both are prorated from the employee’s start date.)
• One (1) Floating Holiday for General Employees.
• Medical and Dental Coverage
• Pension Plan
• Awards Programs
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Discounted Automobile Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Holiday Bonus – subject to City Council approval
• Take-Home vehicles policy (Police Officers)
• Life and Accidental Death (One-time annual salary paid by City)
• Long Term Disability Coverage (paid by City)
• Management Leave
• Sick Leave Bank available for all employees - for Fire Union sick leave bank information, see union contract

Important Notices for Plan Participants and Beneficiaries (PDF)

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

01

• Yes
• No

02

• No High School Equivalency
• High School Diploma or Equivalency
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

03

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess FCIC/NCIC certification, 911 PST certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch certification. Emergency Fire Dispatch certification, Emergency Police Dispatch certification and CPR certification? If so, list which.

05

• No
• Yes
• Not Applicable
• Required Question