Communications Officer I

County-of-Frederick,-Va; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental coverage

Life insurance

Virginia Retirement System

Paid time off

On-call pay

Differentials

Career Development Program

Job summary

Frederick County Public Safety Communications seeks dedicated individuals to join as Communications Officer I. You will be among the first contacts for people in need, gathering crucial information and connecting callers with law enforcement, fire, EMS, and other resources.

We operate in a fast-paced, modern facility providing 24/7/365 critical support. Benefits include health/dental, life insurance, Virginia Retirement System, paid time off, on-call pay, differentials, and a Career Development

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• Background checks (criminal history and fingerprint-based) required for eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Receive, evaluate, and prioritize emergency and non-emergency calls for service and gather critical information.
• Dispatch and coordinate law enforcement, fire, EMS, and other resources using 9-1-1, radio, CAD, and other systems.
• Provide pre-arrival instructions and maintain contact until responders arrive or incident is resolved.
• Monitor radio traffic, responder status, and incident activity to support coordination and responder safety.
• Operate CAD, 9-1-1, radio, mapping, recording and other emergency communications systems.
• Access and disseminate information through VCIN, NCIC and other databases per requirements.
• Maintain accurate incident documentation and knowledge of Frederick County geography and response areas.
• Exercise sound judgment and stay calm under high-stress conditions.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and provide professional service to callers, responders, and the public.
• Maintain regular attendance; support 12-hour shifts including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.

Education

VCIN Certification

CPR Certification

IAED Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD)

IAED Emergency Fire Dispatcher (EFD)

DCJS Basic Telecommunicator Certification

FEMA IS-100

FEMA IS-200

FEMA IS-700

FEMA IS-800

Job description

Are you looking for a career where your voice can make a life-saving difference? Frederick County Public Safety Communications is seeking dedicated and motivated individuals to join our team as a Communications Officer I. Whether you are beginning your career in emergency communications or looking for an opportunity to serve your community, this is a role where you can make a meaningful impact every day. As a Communications Officer I, you will be one of the first points of contact for people in need, providing reassurance, gathering critical information, and connecting callers with law enforcement, fire, emergency medical, and other public safety resources.

At Frederick County Public Safety Communications, you’ll work in a fast-paced, modern facility that leverages cutting‑edge technology to provide critical support to the public 24/7/365 in a growing region.

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes full health and dental coverage, paid life insurance, participation in the Virginia Retirement System, and generous paid time off. We also offer on‑call pay, various differentials, and a Career Development Program.

As a Communications Officer I, you will:

• Receive, evaluate, and prioritize emergency and non-emergency calls for service, gathering critical information to determine the appropriate public safety response.
• Dispatch and coordinate law enforcement, fire, emergency medical, and other public safety resources using 9-1-1, radio, CAD, and other communications systems.
• Provide approved pre-arrival instructions to callers and maintain communication until responders arrive or the incident is resolved.
• Monitor radio traffic, responder status, and incident activity to support effective coordination and responder safety.
• Operate CAD, 9-1-1, radio, mapping, recording, and other emergency communications systems.
• Enter, access, and disseminate criminal justice information through VCIN, NCIC, and other authorized databases in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Maintain accurate incident documentation and develop knowledge of Frederick County geography, roadways, addresses, and response areas.
• Exercise sound judgment and remain calm and professional while managing multiple incidents, changing priorities, and high-stress situations.
• Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information and provide professional service to callers, responders, partner agencies, and the public.
• Maintain regular attendance and flexibility to work 12‑hour shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.

• Must possess a high school diploma or GED.
• A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record is required.
• Previous experience in emergency communications, public safety, customer service, call center operations, dispatching, or another role requiring multitasking, data entry, and public interaction is preferred but not required.

• Criminal history checks
• Fingerprint‑based records checks
• Maintain eligibility for access to the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) in accordance with applicable state and federal requirements.

• Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) Certification
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
• International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) Certification
• IAED Emergency Fire Dispatcher (EFD) Certification

• Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Basic Telecommunicator Certification
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Incident Management System (NIMS) IS-100 Certification
• FEMA NIMS IS-200 Certification
• FEMA NIMS IS-700 Certification
• FEMA NIMS IS-800 Certification

Physical Demands:

The position is primarily performed in a communications center and requires prolonged sitting while operating computers, telephones, radios, and other communications equipment. Employees must be able to communicate clearly, maintain concentration, rapidly process information, make timely decisions, and manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment. Occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting or carrying materials weighing up to 25 pounds may be required.

Environmental Conditions:

Work is performed in a 24/7 Emergency Communications Center providing continuous emergency communications services. Regular and reliable attendance is essential. Employees must be available to work rotating 12‑hour day or night shifts, weekends, holidays, mandatory overtime, emergency call‑back assignments, and schedule changes based on operational needs. Employees may be required to work extended shifts, including up to 16 hours during emergencies. The position requires sustained concentration, rapid decision‑making, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced, high‑stress environment while maintaining professionalism, accuracy, and composure.

To learn more about Frederick County, Virginia employee benefits, please visit the following webpage: https://www.fcva.us/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits

All positions are subject to a criminal background check for any convictions that relate to the job duties and responsibilities. Frederick County Virginia Government is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The County’s EEO Utilization Report is available at www.fcva.us/jobs