Communications Officer I

Kids for the Future; Bedford (VA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedford County seeks a dispatcher for its Emergency Communications center. This role handles 911 and non-emergency calls for public safety and public works, evaluates information, and coordinates the appropriate response while providing emergency dispatch instructions.

The incumbent must maintain confidentiality, work under pressure, and operate NCIC, VCIN, CAD, and radio systems. Training for DCJS certifications, EMD/EPD/CPR, and IS-100/200/700 is required within specified timeframes.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalence.
• Two years’ experience and stable work history preferred.
• Must hold Virginia driver’s license and provide proof of insurance.
• Must obtain DCJS Basic Telecommunicator certificate within 24 months and complete DCJS on-the-job training.
• Must complete IAED EMD, EFD and EPD courses with 6 months.
• Must obtain VCIN full access certificate within 6 months.
• Must complete IS-100, IS-200, IS-700 (NIMS) training within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Processes 911 and non-emergency calls for all public safety and public works agencies.
• Performs call assessment, prioritizes information, and coordinates appropriate response.
• Provides emergency medical dispatch instructions to callers.
• Monitors units and maintains status via CAD, NCIC, VCIN systems.
• Handles confidential information and disseminates as required.
• Operates NCIC, 800MHz radio, CAD, mapping and telephone systems.
• Sends/receives messages through VCIN and other agencies.
• Maintains VCIN records including entries and cross-checks.
• Gives testimony in criminal court as needed.
• Notifies required personnel (alarm, wrecker, etc.).
• Works varying shifts including overtime for continuous operation.
• Maintains confidentiality and equipment readiness.
• Coordinates with outside agencies during major incidents.
• Participates in meetings and training; performs special projects as assigned.

Skills

Knowledge of the methods of operating

Knowledge of radio procedures

Knowledge of county geography

Typing 30 wpm

Effective communication

Computer software proficiency

Clear speaking and listening

Ability to work under stress

Operate communications equipment

Problem solving under pressure

Team collaboration

Relationship building

Flexibility in changing situations

Education

High school diploma or GED

Two years’ experience preferred

Virginia driver’s license

Virginia DCJS Basic Telecommunicator certification within 24 months

IJLA/EMD/EFD/EPD CPR courses within 6 months

VCIN full access certificate within 6 months

IS100, IS 200, IS 700 (NIMS) training within 6 months

Job description

Bedford County, Virginia - Career Opportunities

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• Location 1345 Falling Creek Road,Bedford, VA, 24523,United States
• Base Pay $40,000.00 / Year
• Job Category Emergency Communications
• Employee Type Non-Exempt - FT
• Manage Others No

Description

Dispatches law enforcement, fire, rescue and public works equipment and personnel in response to both emergency and nonemergency situations and disseminates information to the public and emergency services. Exceptional customer service skills must be exercised to assist a wide range of people. This position must maintain confidentiality. This work is fast-paced and diverse.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Processes 911 and non-emergency calls for all public safety and public works agencies.
• Performs call assessment, obtaining crucial and pertinent information, frequently from hysterical or irate callers; classifies and prioritizes problem, determines and coordinates appropriate response by emergency personnel and equipment.
• Provides necessary emergency medical dispatch instructions to callers’ experiencing medical crisis.
• Monitors public safety units and maintains status of each through the cad system to effectively coordinate response.
• Handles time-sensitive and confidential information, determining dissemination of the same.
• Operates various complex communications equipment such as the nationwide criminal information network (NCIC), 800mhz regional radio system, computer aided dispatch system, mapping system and telephone system.
• Sends receives, disseminates messages to and from other agencies through the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN)
• Receives, processes, and handles VCIN related task such as VCIN entries, modifications, clear/cancel records; assists in 2nd party cross checks of VCIN entries.
• Provides testimony in criminal court proceedings.
• Makes appropriate notifications, such as alarm notifications, wrecker service, etc., as requested by public safety responders.
• Works various assigned hours and shifts as required for continuous operation of the communications center including mandatory overtime.
• Maintains confidentially.
• Keeps in telephone contact with caller when situations dictate.
• Ensures center equipment is always operating properly and reports need repairs to the supervisor.
• Works with other outside agencies during large scale incidents to coordinate appropriate mutual aid responses.
• Performs related task as required.
• Accomplishes all tasks as appropriately assigned or requested by management.
• Participates in employee meetings and training as needed.
• Performs special projects as assigned.

Education/Experience/Certifications:

• Any combination of education equivalent to a high school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Two years’ experience and a stable work history preferred.
• Must possess a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license, proof of insurance required to drive on county business, and acceptable driving record.
• Must acquire a valid Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Basic Telecommunicator certificate with 24 months of employment as required by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice services (DCJS), as well as completion of the DCJS on-the-job training certification.
• Must acquire International Academy of Emergency Dispatch EMD, EFD and EPD course and CPR course within 6 months of employment.
• Must acquire a VCIN full access certificate within 6 months of employment, as required by the Virginia Department of State Police VCIN operating manual.
• Must successfully complete IS100, IS 200, and IS 700 National Management (NIMS) training with 6 months of employment.
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the methods of operating the communications system
• Knowledge of radio and teletype procedures
• Knowledge of the geography of the County and location of important buildings
• Skill in typing accurately on a standard keyboard at a rate of no less than 30 wpm;
• Skill in effective communication, both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications related to the essential functions of the job.
• Ability to speak clearly; ability to hear/understand all audio communications systems (i.e. radio, telephone, etc.) within the confines of the communications center; capable of accurately viewing a computer screen (i. E. CAD, ANI/ALI, Teletype, Telephone, etc.) from a seated position as not to interfere with performing other essential duties;
• Ability to perform assigned duties daily with no deviation under extended high levels of stress.
• Ability to speak distinctly; ability to operate all communications equipment.
• Ability to solve problems within scope of responsibility; ability to deal courteously with the public under stressful conditions.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a diverse professional team and / or independently.
• Ability to establish / maintain effective working relationships with employees, county officials, vendors, and the public. Strong quality and service minded.
• Consistently demonstrates ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner to meet current needs and reprioritizes work as necessary.

Requirements

The physical requirements 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 for individuals with disabilities.

The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amounts of force frequently or constantly. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Standing for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Repetitive motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound.
• Visual acuity: Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading.

Work is performed in a normal office environment, with office equipment; exposure to computer screens; controlled temperatures; work closely with others.

Special/Additional Requirements:

Subject to a complete criminal history background search, drug screening, and psychological evaluation, with acceptable results. Subject to a hearing assessment in the form of an audiogram with satisfactory results that are in alignment with industry standard.

Worker may be required to work beyond a normal schedule to include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime to meet the needs of the department. Variable shifts are required as dictated by the Centers staffing needs.

This position is designated as essential personnel. In accordance with the County's personnel policy, essential personnel are critical to the continuation of key operations and services and are expected to report to work, unless otherwise directed by management, in all weather conditions.

Summary

Bedford County maintains a safe, drug-free workplace for its employees. Drug screening, driving record check, a criminal background check, and previous employer references are required for all positions as conditions of pre-employment.

Bedford County, VA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Bedford County is a certified Virginia Values Veterans (V3) employer. We are committed to implementing nationally recognized best practices in recruiting, hiring, and retaining highly skilled and dependable Veterans. The V3 Program is an official Commonwealth of Virginia Program, authorized under the Code of Virginia (§ 2.2-2001.2).