Emergency Communications Officer (Certified Lateral)

City of Fredericksburg, Virginia; Fredericksburg (VA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, dental coverage

Paid leave

Virginia Retirement System

Job summary

The City of Fredericksburg, Virginia is seeking an Emergency Communications Officer (Certified Lateral) to join the Public Safety Communications Center. This full‑time role processes emergency and non‑emergency calls, dispatches police, fire and EMS, and supports the departments with extensive computer work in a high‑visibility, essential service.

Starting salary ranges from $54,400 to $81,519 DOQ, with a 42‑hour work week and benefits including medical, vision, dental, paid leave, training and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Virginia DCJS Communications Basic certification (or approved out-of-state equivalent).
• Current VCIN certification (or approved out-of-state equivalent).
• Current CPR certification.
• 12 months continuous employment as a public safety tele-communicator.

Responsibilities

• Receive, process, and prioritize emergency and non-emergency requests for law enforcement, fire and EMS.
• Guide callers through high-stress situations while obtaining information for effective response.
• Provide pre-arrival instructions and lifesaving guidance per protocols.
• Dispatch resources and maintain radio communications across channels.
• Monitor responder activity and coordinate mutual aid as needed.
• Assist with training, projects, events, and department initiatives.

Skills

Emergency communications

Public safety dispatch

Customer service

Teamwork

Shift work

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Emergency Communications Officer (Certified Lateral)

City of Fredericksburg, Virginia

Starting Salary: $54,400 - $81,519 DOQ

Full-Time | 42 Hours/Week Benefits

Start a Stable, Essential Career Serving Your Community!

What You’ll Do

Persons applying should be interested in a full-time position that significantly impacts the safety of the general public and responding agency personnel. Under general supervision, a Communications Officer receives incoming emergency and non-emergency phone calls to the Emergency Operations Center, dispatches police, fire, and EMS personnel, performs a variety of administrative functions for the Police and Fire Departments, and performs related tasks as required including extensive computer work. This position will involve shift work to include nights, weekends, and holidays, so a flexible schedule is required.

Job Responsibilities will include:

Emergency and Non-Emergency Call Processing

• Receive, process, and prioritize emergency and non-emergency requests for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services.
• Utilize extensive customer service skills and techniques to guide callers through high-stress situations while obtaining information necessary to ensure an effective public safety response.
• Provide appropriate pre-arrival instructions and lifesaving guidance in accordance with established protocols.

Public Safety Radio Communications

• Dispatch law enforcement, fire and emergency medical resources based on the nature and priority of incidents.
• Maintain continuous radio communication with field personnel on multiple radio channels and accurately document unit status and activity.
• Provide responders with timely, accurate, and safety-critical information throughout incidents.

Responder and Public Safety

• Monitor responder activity and maintain awareness of responder locations, assignments, and status.
• Maintain calm, professional and efficient radio communications during emergency conditions.
• Use industry standard calming techniques to separate parties and de-escalate situations prior to the arrival of responders.

Community Engagement and Public Relations

• Serve as the primary point of contact between the public and emergency services.
• Communicate with callers professionally, respectfully, and compassionately, particularly during stressful or traumatic situations.
• Participate in Department Community Outreach events.

Interagency Coordination and Incident Support

• Facilitate communication with law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services, emergency management, and other public safety partners.
• Obtain additional resources and coordinate mutual aid when necessary, to support a safe and effective emergency response.
• Civilian staff are permitted to serve on authorized special teams such as Crisis Negotiation, Drones, Incident Management and Peer Support.

Administrative and Special Assignments

• Participate in required training and maintain applicable certifications and qualifications.
• Assist with projects, special events, emergency operations, public education, recruitment, instructing, and other agency initiatives.
• Experienced personnel may be approved to serve in specialized roles such as Communications Training Officer, General Instructor, and instructor for a variety of specialized programs.

Why Join Our Team?

Join a dynamic team where collaboration, creativity, and professional growth are valued, and where you can make a meaningful impact every day.

Comprehensive Benefits

The City provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, vision, and dental coverage, paid leave, paid training, a one-for-one service credit, and participation in the Virginia Retirement System.

Certified Communications Qualifications

• Virginia DCJS Communications Basic certification (or approved out-of-state equivalent)
• Current VCIN certification (or approved out-of-state equivalent)
• Current CPR certification
• Current APCO or Medical Priority Emergency Medical Dispatch certification
• 12-months continuous employment as a public safety tele-communicator

Minimum Qualifications

• 18 years of age
• United States Citizen or lawful resident for ten consecutive years
• High School Diploma or GED
No more than two moving violations within previous 24 months
• No record of convictions within previous 60 months for DUI, eluding, leaving the scene of an accident or vehicular manslaughter
• No record of 2nd or subsequent DUI
• No current or previous revocations or suspension of license within previous 60 months due to a moving violation
• Not have been convicted of or pleaded guilty or no contest to a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Not have been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to a Class 1 or 2 misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or any offense that would be a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, including but not limited to petit larceny under 18.2-96, or any offense involving moral turpitude that would be a misdemeanor if committed in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Not have been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to any misdemeanor sex offense in the Commonwealth of Virginia, another state, or the United States, including but not limited to sexual battery under 18.2-67.4 or consensual sexual intercourse with a minor 15 or older under clause (ii) of 18.2-371
• Not have been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to domestic assault under 18.2-57.2, or any offense that would be domestic assault under the laws of another state or the United States
• Undergo a physical examination, subsequent to a conditional offer of employment
• Not have produced a positive result on a pre-employment drug screening

BE PART OF SOMETHING ESSENTIAL

This is more than a job. It is an opportunity to build a stable, rewarding career while serving the City of Fredericksburg. Join a knowledgeable, dedicated team that values accuracy, fairness, collaboration, public service, and committed to the City’s Core Values.

Questions? Please contact:
Sergeant Adrian Velasco
540-654-5716
[e-mail]

Email Correspondence Is Preferred.

The City of Fredericksburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.