Communications Officer

Gwinnett County; Lawrenceville (GA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Gwinnett County in Lawrenceville, GA seeks a Communications Officer for the Gwinnett County Police Department. The role answers emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatches Police, Fire, and EMS units in a 24/7 operation.

You will be a lifeline to first responders and the community, working in a high-stress, fast-paced environment to protect lives. The position offers competitive pay with degree-based incentives and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• U.S. Citizenship required for P.O.S.T. certification.
• Two years of experience in a fast-paced customer service or telecommunications setting.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, nights, holidays and weekends.
• Professional and calm demeanor under stress.
• Completion of a job simulation test and successful passing of both hiring phases.

Responsibilities

• Answer emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Dispatch Police, Fire, and EMS units.
• Operate in a high-stress, fast-paced environment.
• Serve as a lifeline to first responders and the community.
• Work rotating shifts, including nights, holidays, and weekends.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Customer service

Communication skills

Adaptability

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Description

The Communications Division is responsible for answering both emergency and non-emergency calls for service. The Communications Officer also dispatches Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Units. It is a highly stressful, demanding, fast-paced job involving life and death situations. Due to the nature of the job, the center is in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Communications Officers provide a vital service to the community by contributing to the safety and welfare of their fellow residents. They are the first point of contact in most emergency situations and can drastically affect the outcome of a potentially otherwise dire event. Communications Officers are a lifeline to first responders and the community.

Salary

$50,398.40 with possible incentives up to:
$51,910.35 (includes 3% pay incentive for an associate's degree)
$53,422.30 (includes 6% pay incentive for a bachelor's degree)

Plus, an additional hiring incentive for new hires up to 10% of the base salary.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma, or G.E.D.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen for P.O.S.T. Communications Officer Certification
• Two years’ experience in a fast-paced business customer service or telecommunications environment
• Must be able to work rotating shifts, nights, holidays and weekends
• A professional and calm demeanor, as this is a highly stressful, demanding, fast-paced job involving life and death situations
• A job simulation skills test will be administered to determine eligibility
• Successful completion of both phases of the hiring process

Grade

The grade for this position is B22(2). Salary will be dependent on education and experience. Effective 4/11/2023, this position is eligible for the Employee Referral Program. For information related to position-specific essential duties, knowledge and skills, and physical requirements,

Note: The class specifications listed on this website are not the official class specifications for Gwinnett County and are subject to change.

For more information about this department,

About Gwinnett County Police Department

The Gwinnett County Police Department is a nationally accredited and rapidly growing police agency located in the northeastern quadrant of the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Department has an authorized strength of 930 sworn officers and 141 communication officers supported by 167 civilian employees with the responsibility of providing law enforcement services to approximately 900,000 residents within an area of 437 square miles. The department is a full-service agency with numerous specialized units, to include Computer Forensics, K-9, Aviation, Technology Research, Accident Investigations, Training, S.W.A.T., Crime Prevention, Hazardous Devices, and many more.

For more information about the police hiring process and standards

About Gwinnett County

Welcome to Gwinnett County Government

Gwinnett County Government is an award-winning employer that believes in investing in its employees by providing corporate level benefits, a wellness program, professional development opportunities, career advancement, and more

Careers with impact

Gwinnett County sets the standard as a dynamic, vibrant community where all people can enjoy economic opportunities, safe neighborhoods, plentiful greenspace, and recreational facilities. We are committed to hiring those who share our dedication to making life better for our residents and business owners. The culture of superior service that our employees have created reflects that standard and helps staff, residents, and stakeholders remain vibrantly connected.

Exceptional benefits

Working for Gwinnett County comes with exceptional benefits, including health coverage, a robust wellness program (Spouses can participate, too!), onsite employee wellness center, longevity pay, tuition reimbursement, and more. The value of Gwinnett County benefits can be up to 49 percent of an individual’s total compensation.

World-class community

More than a million residents make up Gwinnett’s diverse community. The County is located just 45 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and 30 minutes from downtown Atlanta. Georgia Highway 316 reduces travel time to the University of Georgia to 25 minutes.

Gwinnett County is an award-winning employer!

• Atlanta’s Healthiest Employer by Atlanta Business Chronicle
• Green Communities Platinum Certification for Gwinnett County from the Atlanta Regional Commission
• Top 100 Healthiest Workplaces in America by Springbuk and PR NewsWire and more!

Vision

Gwinnett is the preferred community where everyone thrives!

Mission

Gwinnett proudly supports our vibrantly connected community by delivering superior services.

Values

• Integrity: We believe in being honest, building trust, and having strong moral principles.
• Accountability: We believe in stewardship, transparency, and sustainability.
• Equity: We believe in fairness and respect for all.
• Inclusivity: We believe in engaging, embracing, and unifying our communities.
• Innovation: We believe in continual adaptation of technology, process, and experience.

Hiring Process

Gwinnett County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information regarding our hiring process.

• Hiring Process
• FAQs

Gwinnett County is committed to creating a diverse workforce. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information (including sex), race, color, national origin (including ancestry), gender (identity and expression), sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status (including pregnancy), disability, military or veteran status, religion, political affiliation, immigration status, homeless status, or any other category protected by law.