Communications Specialist III (Dispatcher)

State of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

State of South Carolina’s Highway Patrol seeks a Communications Specialist III (Dispatcher) to support emergency response. The role requires handling multiple communication channels and guiding officers to incidents, while maintaining calm under pressure. Candidates must have a high school diploma, be a U.S.

citizen, and willing to work 12-hour rotating shifts, including nights and weekends. A background check and NCIC certification are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical communications substitution allowed.
• Experience with voice communications systems or central switchboard operations.
• Ability to pass extensive background checks.
• Must be US citizen and at least 18.
• Ability to work 12-hour rotating shifts.

Responsibilities

• Receive and dispatch information to enforcement personnel via radio, phones, and teletype.
• Maintain CAD documentation of transmissions and reports.
• Answer public calls for assistance and provide road, weather, and route information.
• Access NCIC and other databases for information on vehicles and persons.
• Direct officers to incident scenes and read maps to locate locations.
• Operate and monitor recording systems and backup for EPD.
• Coordinate with DOT and DOR after hours for information.
• Maintain composure in emergency and stressful situations.

Skills

Customer service

Multi-tasking

Listening

Typing

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree in technical communications

Tools

Two-way radio systems

CAD software

Teletype

Fax machines

Job description

Job Responsibilities

The ideal candidate will possess strong customer service skills, the ability to work independently, and advanced multi-tasking skills in order to listen, talk, read, and type simultaneously with accuracy.

Receives and dispatches information to South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) enforcement personnel and other agencies over two-way radio systems, telephones, teletypes, computer aided dispatch, and fax machines.

Maintains computer-aided dispatch (CAD) documentation of all radio transmissions, collision call-in reports, teletype reports, State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) / Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS), National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) transactions. (This is the primary means utilized for documentation of information received.)

Receives calls from citizens requesting assistance for traffic accidents, reckless drivers, road rage, disabled motorists, attempting to contact troopers, and other road conditions that require emergency response. Provides information on road and weather conditions and best routes to travel.

Retrieves information from computer terminals for driver's license and vehicle registration, both in-state and out-of-state. Inquires NCIC to determine possible stolen vehicles, wanted and missing persons, and stolen gun reports.

Directs law enforcement officers to traffic accident scenes or any other type of situation requiring response.

Reads maps to find locations to relay to troopers in locating incidents.

Maintains recorder system, notifying personnel of any malfunctions.

Acts as backup for the Emergency Preparedness Division (EPD) in receiving notification from nuclear power plants and facilities of any potential unplanned or accidental release of radioactive material. Immediately notify the Bureau of Radiological Health and the EPD upon notification.

Receive calls for the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Revenue (DOR) from the public requesting information and/or assistance after normal working hours.

Working Conditions: This position works in an office type setting and may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods and the ability to maintain composure in emergency and stressful situations.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

State Minimum Requirements -

A high school diploma and entry-level work experience with voice communications systems or central switchboard operations. An associate degree in a technical communications discipline may be substituted for the required experience.

Agency Minimum Requirements -

A high school diploma and entry-level work experience with voice communications systems or central switchboard operations, or an acceptable equivalency approved by the Division of State Human Resources. An associate's degree in a technical communications discipline may be substituted for the required experience.

Additional Requirements

• Must be a US Citizen and at least 18 years old.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Must be able to perform all essential and marginal job functions of a Communications Specialist III (Dispatcher).

All qualified applicants will be required to undergo an extensive background review, including a criminal history check, driving history, history of drug use, employer and personal reference check, a polygraph examination, interview board, and pre-employment drug screening test.

Applicants with current or prior public safety/law enforcement dispatch experience must provide all information regarding current or former employers, including dates of employment and contact information. This will be required to verify the claimed public safety dispatch experience.

Applicants must have the ability to convey and interpret oral and written communications to and from law enforcement officers and the general public.

Applicants must have the ability to type and operate a computer or quickly acquire typing and computer skills.

Applicants must possess the ability to solicit accurate information in an emergency situation.

Applicants must possess the ability to remain calm and make quick decisions during stressful situations and emergencies.

Applicants must have the ability to relate well with the public over the telephone.

Applicants must possess the ability to read a map.

Applicants must have the ability to pass and maintain National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification.

Applicants must possess a high degree of independence in completing the work with accountability for their own actions and decisions in the absence of a supervisor.

Applicants must be able to work at a fast pace where quick sound decision making is necessary.

Applicants must be able to work 12-hour rotating shifts including nights, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours on short notice.

Applicants must be able to provide immediate response to emergency situations and determine required action in a calm manner.

All applicants will be required to participate in a background investigation to include; criminal history check, driving history, history of drug use, employer & reference check and a polygraph examination.

NOTE: If any Additional Requirements are listed above, applicants must also meet those Additional Requirements to be considered for the position.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in a customer service environment.

Entry-level work experience with voice communications systems or central switchboard operations.

Additional Comments

The Communication Specialist III (Dispatcher) position is an essential position and a vital link to the trooper/officer in the performance of their job duties. This position REQUIRES the employee to work rotating 12-hour shifts, which include days, nights, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours on short notice. Shifts are scheduled based on the center's needs to cover shifts 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. Must work a minimum of 40 hours weekly.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol operates three regional Telecommunications Centers. Telecommunications Centers are located in Columbia (Blythewood), Florence, and Greenville. Applicants must select which center they are applying for in the supplemental questions portion of the application. Only Telecommunications Centers with current vacancies will be listed in the supplemental questions.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), or national origin. The department prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), or national origin.