Emergency Communication Specialist Recruit

Frederick County Government; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Holidays and floating holidays

Health insurance with HSA contribution

Employee Wellness Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Frederick County Government seeks an Emergency Communications Dispatcher to handle incoming emergency and non-emergency calls and coordinate rapid deployment of public safety resources. You will work under supervision to learn DEC protocols and maintain precise records.

The role requires high school completion, 18+ years age, and a driver’s license, with background checks and training in emergency dispatch. Full-time benefits, shift work, and development opportunities are included.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Minimum age 18 and valid driver’s license.
• Ability to pass background investigation and security screening.

Responsibilities

• Receive and process emergency and non-emergency calls for public safety services.
• Dispatch appropriate personnel and apparatus using protocol-based systems.
• Maintain records and communicate with EMS, Fire-Rescue, and law enforcement agencies.
• Monitor incidents and coordinate resources across multiple evolutions.
• Operate CAD and radio equipment; ensure confidentiality and accuracy.

Skills

Emergency Dispatch

Public safety coordination

Data entry

Keyboarding

Effective communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CAD software

Dispatch systems

Job description

POSITION DETAILS

Non-exempt (compensatory and/or overtime eligible; additional compensation to include $3.00/hour shift differential for shifts 4pm - 8 am, and professional development training opportunities); full-time; 40 hours per week; varying schedule; rotating shifts; full-benefits

NOTE: This full-time recruitment process will create an active eligibility list to allow Frederick County Government the opportunity to fill current and upcoming vacancies.

This skilled position is responsible for the receipt and processing of emergency and non-emergency calls for public safety services, timely and accurate deployment of appropriate public safety personnel and apparatus to the location of emergencies. Training and supervision are received from the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) Manager or Emergency Communications Specialist IV with oversight from a DEC Administrator, Assistant Director, and/or the Director.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE

Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan

NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year.

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

• Receive and process incoming calls of emergency, non-emergency, informational and business nature
• Utilizing a protocol based call processing systems obtain necessary information facilitating the dispatch of appropriate public safety personnel, apparatus or resources
• Provide assistance to callers requesting Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Fire-Rescue, Lignance Services
• Communicate with EMS, Fire-Rescue, Lignance and affiliated agencies personnel and equipment
• Monitor incidents and situational developments to coordinate the utilization of essential services and resources
• Monitor incidents and situational developments for requests or instructions regarding the dispatch of additional apparatus, equipment, or personnel
• Comprehend and execute instructions communicated by supervisors, field personnel, officers, officials, or incident commanders
• Dispatch required apparatus, resources, equipment, or personnel in accordance with standard operating policies and procedures
• Alert other jurisdictions when necessary
• Operate computer aided dispatch (CAD) system and other computer software products
• Maintain computerized and manual records
• Relay information to appropriate officials or agencies
• Operate public safety radio consoles and maintain communications with allied EMS, Fire-Rescue, Law Enforcement, and associated Local, Municipal, County, State, and Federal government agencies
• Operate Text-to-911 and TTY equipment (telephone equipment for persons who are hearing/speech impaired)
• Handle multiple tasks and track multiple in-progress incidents simultaneously
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee's position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.

• High school graduation or the equivalent
• Minimum age 18 years
• Possession of a valid driver's license

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

A successful incumbent operating in this role displays the following:

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
• Ability to obtain Emergency Communications Specialist certifications, in medical, fire and police dispatch (International Academy of Emergency Dispatch) within 1 year of hire, and to maintain re-certification as due
• Knowledgeof Frederick County geography and surrounding areas
• Effective keyboarding/data entry skills in order to accurately enter information during conversation with callers
• Ability to effectively utilize computer aided dispatch (CAD) system and other automated information systems
• Knowledge of fire, rescue and law enforcement disciplines
• Ability to effectively read maps and give directions
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to speak clearly and distinctly, and to accurately summarize and describe information with correct, precise terminology
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers,user agencies and the general public
• Ability to perform quickly and effectively in emergency situations

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR

• 1 or more yearsof recent (within the last 5 years) career or volunteer experience in fire, ambulance or police services
• 911 /emergency communications work experience
• Dataentry work experience
• Customer service work experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit and perform repetitive motions
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors and occasionally work in a noisy environment
• The training academy for this position will consist of approximately 10 weeks of training which will take place Monday – Friday during the hours of 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
• Ability to work all shifts as assigned, including weekdays, weekends, nights and holidays (usual shift assignment will be 12 hours; employees are required to work day shifts and night shifts)
• This position is subject to random drug testing to include marijuana
• The probationary period for this position is 12months
• This position is designate as security-sensitive, requiring satisfactory background investigation, conducted by the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, in accordance with established Frederick County policy
• The employee selected for this position must successfully pass all knowledge, skills and abilities to be upgrade to an Emergency Communication Specialist III within 72 months of full-time employment or be terminated from employment.
• Candidates who were previously rejected may reapply for consideration, however those declined for reasons that assure another rejection will not be reconsidered.

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include)

1. An evaluation of training and experience
2. Attend mandatory departmental orientation
3. A computer based test to evaluate your listening, comprehension, typing and decision making skills
4. One or more panel interviews
5. A pre-employment psychological examination
6. A pre-employment Security-Sensitive background investigation
7. A pre-employment physical examination and drug test to include marijuana