Communications Officer

Stafford County; Stafford (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct deposit

Job summary

Stafford County is seeking a Communications Officer to operate the county's 911 dispatch center, handling non-emergency and E911 calls across law enforcement, fire, and rescue services. The role includes prioritizing calls, dispatching responders, and maintaining logs while upholding confidentiality and protocol adherence.

The position requires a high school diploma, fast keyboarding, and the ability to work a 12-hour rotating schedule including nights, weekends and holidays.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required, plus keyboard training.
• Must type at least 35 words per minute.
• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status required.

Responsibilities

• Receive and prioritize non-emergency and E911 calls for public safety services.
• Dispatch emergency personnel using E911 radio and telephone systems; provide location and instructions.
• Maintain logs and records of calls and dispatch actions.
• Operate emergency communications equipment and document system malfunctions.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and participate in ongoing training.

Skills

Emergency communications knowledge

Multitasking and decision-making

Verbal and written communication

Teamwork and problem solving

Typing 35 wpm

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Two-way radios

VCIN/NCIC systems

Job description

Job Description

Communications Officer $24.90/hour or $51,794.50/year (no prior experience as a 911 Dispatcher)

Lateral candidates are eligible for 100% credit for up to 10 years of prior service as a 911 Dispatcher

Evening & Night Shift Differential Pay - $1/$1.5 per hour

Built in Overtime due to rotational shift schedule

Must be available to work any shift of the day on any day of the week, including holidays and weekends.

Communications Officers work an assigned 12-hour shift (7:00 AM – PM or PM to AM) rotating 3 days on >2 days off >2 days on >3 days off pattern

Under general supervision, receives and prioritizes non-emergency and E911 calls from the public for law enforcement, fire, rescue, and other emergency services. Communications Officers dispatch emergency personnel and public safety officials to emergency situations throughout the County and receives incoming phone calls to the communications center including emergency and non-emergency calls. Communications Officers may be assigned to work any of four functional areas within the Emergency Communications Center during each shift: VCIN, Call-taking, Sheriff’s Office Radio or Fire Radio.

Examples of Duties

• Receives emergency calls for law enforcement, fire, rescue and other assistance; adopts appropriate course of action, in accordance with State and federal laws, local ordinances, policies, procedures, and protocols, as well as within established chain of command.
• Interprets and prioritizes E911 calls for appropriate actions; determines nature of call and type of assistance needed; routes calls for expedient handling.
• Dispatches appropriate Sheriff’s department, fire and/or rescue units using E911 radio and telephone systems; provides information on location, type of emergency or any other relevant information; provides geographical information, including subdivision names, cross-streets, landmarks, etc.; provides pre-arrival instructions by telephone as needed.
• Operates a variety of emergency service communications systems; utilizes two-way radio system in accordance with federal and state laws and guidelines; documents all malfunctions in communication system and related equipment; reports errors in mapping and/or database.
• Communicates with a variety of public safety officials and personnel and medical personnel.
• Monitors and conducts tests of the County's natural warning and alarm systems.
• Maintains records of calls; logs all dispatches, recording time of call and dispatch, dispatch action and disposition of calls or requests.
• Maintains confidentiality of all matters concerning law enforcement, fire, rescue and other public safety and emergency operations.
• Participates in continuous training program to improve communications and skills.
• Verifies warrants and accesses computer to provide information to law enforcement personnel; enters information on stolen property and missing persons in national and state computer; transmits computer responses on all hit confirmations.
• Answers administrative telephone lines Sheriff’s Office and Fire/Rescue after hours.
• Performs Other Related Duties As Required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• General knowledge of the methods of operating communications systems, radio and teletype procedures. General knowledge of the geography of Stafford County and location of important buildings. Skilled in multitasking, decision-making and critical thinking
• Skilled in verbal and written communications, active listening/hearing
• Skilled in teamwork, conflict resolution, problem solving, and analytical thinking
• Ability to type quickly and accurately, speak clearly and distinctly, effectively operate all communications equipment
• Ability to remain professional with the public under stressful conditions
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public
• Ability to be dependable, flexible, ethical, mature, respectful, empathetic and tolerant

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent, supplemented by computer keyboard training required
• Must be able to type at a minimum speed of 35 wpm
• Must be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and eligible for naturalization.

Special Requirements

• Must successfully complete criticall testing, interview, polygraph examination, full background investigation, pre-employment psychological and medical exams including drug and alcohol screening.
• This position is designated as essential and must report to work during times when the local government/agencies are closed, is subject to call back and hold over to maintain minimum staffing 24/7.
• Must successfully complete Department of Criminal Justice Training and in-house training in all four functional areas within 18 months of employment.
• Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain Basic Dispatch, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Emergency Fire Dispatch, NCIC/VCIN, CPR/first aid and National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100 and 700 courses and certificates within one year of employment.
• Must have 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 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Employees are subject to long periods of visual concentration.
• Physical requirements of the job are those for Sedentary Work.
• Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using communications equipment and office equipment.
• Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, communications equipment, control knobs, switches, etc.
• Must have adequate levels of eye/hand/foot coordination to perform duties.
• Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
• Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).
• Must be able to communicate via two-way radio and telephone.
• Note: All employees are required to have direct deposit of their bi-weekly paychecks into one or more financial institution(s) of their choice. Information must be presented at time of hire.
• Proper Identification must be shown at time of hire in order to complete the necessary paperwork for compliance with the Immigration Control and Reform Act of 1986.