EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER - TEMP

Town of Cary; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 9,200 - 13,000; Part time

Job summary

Town of Cary seeks experienced Emergency Communications Officers to join our Emergency Communications Center. The role covers call-taking, radio dispatch, and coordination with public safety personnel to support Cary residents.

Position is part-time, non-benefited, year-round, up to 20 hours weekly with a cap of 999 hours per year; requires a high school diploma and basic telecommunicator certification, plus the ability to obtain NC certifications such as EMD/FIRE CPR as needed.

Qualifications

• Must possess a high school diploma or educational equivalent with applicable experience in a 911 center environment.
• Must pass pre-employment testing through a simulated performance exam.
• Must have or be able to obtain a Basic Telecommunicator Certification from the State of North Carolina.
• Must be able to obtain other certifications necessary to job function including, but not limited to, NC Division of Criminal Information certifications, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Emergency Fire Dispatch, and CPR.

Responsibilities

• Monitors, receives, and transmits radio communications in accordance with agency policies, procedures, and FCC guidelines.
• Prioritizes calls for service based on severity and discipline; dispatches appropriate agencies and field units; provides logistical support for public safety field activities and monitors progress of calls as necessary.
• Answers and processes both emergency and non-emergency calls for service; provides life-saving instructions to callers over the phone; responds to general requests from the public for information as appropriate.
• Enters data into a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system; operates terminals connected to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) software as well as associated state and local networks; operates a variety of technology such as radios, telephones, a CAD system, and other programs and applications associated with the course of their work.

Skills

Call-taking

Radio communications

Dispatching

Public safety coordination

Clear communication

Judgment under pressure

Education

High school diploma

Tools

CAD system

NCIC software

Telecommunications equipment

Job description

When a call comes in, you know how to listen carefully, think quickly, ask the right questions, and help get the right resources moving. You understand the importance of clear communication, sound judgment, and staying composed when the stakes are high.

Cary is seeking experienced Emergency Communications Officers to bring their public safety communications knowledge and skills to our Emergency Communications Center. This is an opportunity to apply your previous experience in emergency and non-emergency call-taking, radio communications, dispatching, and coordination with public safety personnel in support of Cary citizens. For a glimpse into our center, check out this video.

Your experience matters. Your judgment matters. And the work you do behind the scenes helps emergency responders do their jobs in the field.

This is a part-time, non-benefited, year-round position, up to 20 hours a week, with a maximum of 999 hours per year.

• Monitors, receives, and transmits radio communications in accordance with agency policies, procedures, and FCC guidelines.
• Prioritizes calls for service based on severity and discipline; dispatches appropriate agencies and field units; provides logistical support for public safety field activities and monitors progress of calls as necessary.
• Answers and processes both emergency and non-emergency calls for service; provides life-saving instructions to callers over the phone; responds to general requests from the public for information as appropriate.
• Enters data into a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system; operates terminals connected to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) software as well as associated state and local networks; operates a variety of technology such as radios, telephones, a CAD system, and other programs and applications associated with the course of their work.
• Monitors status of after-hours Town personnel as necessary; monitors cameras and other supplemental programs related to the security of Town personnel and property.
• Maintains appearance of the communications center by performing light maintenance work and equipment cleaning.
• Participates on assigned work teams and completes special assignments as assigned by supervisors.
• Emergency Communications Officers are considered critical personnel. In the event of adverse weather conditions or emergency situations, Emergency Communications Officers are required to work outside of their normally scheduled hours and/or past the end of their scheduled shift as needed. In addition, Emergency Communications Officers must have the ability to work days, nights, weekdays, and/or weekends as need on a rotating basis.
• Performs other job-related tasks as required.
• Thorough knowledge of internal policies procedures for documenting and responding to all requests for assistance; thorough understanding of geographical features of the response area covered by the ECC; general knowledge and utilization of standard telecommunications equipment utilized by public safety communications entities; ability to communicate precisely and with a high degree of accuracy and clarity; ability to deal with the public courteously but firmly under stressful conditions; ability to exercise good judgment, calmness, and emotional maturity under stressful conditions; ability to recognize potentially dangerous or hazardous situations based on verbal descriptions and visual depictions.

Physical Requirements

Employee must be able to speak clearly, hear out of both ears, and see in order to operate the telecommunications system and view a computer screen. Ability to sit for long periods of time.

Must possess a high school diploma or educational equivalent with applicable experience in a 911 center environment.

Must pass pre-employment testing through a simulated performance exam. Click here to take a practice exam and review details.

Must have or be able to obtain a Basic Telecommunicator Certification from the State of North Carolina.

Must be able to obtain other certifications necessary to job function including, but not limited to, NC Division of Criminal Information certifications, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Emergency Fire Dispatch, and CPR.

Conditions of Employment

Requires a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, SBI finger-printing, motor vehicle records check, education verification and credit history review) and satisfactory reference checks prior to employment.