Emergency Communications Specialist

Douglas County (NV); Minden (NV); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Douglas County Emergency Management is seeking Emergency Communications Specialists, known as dispatchers, to support law enforcement and first responders across regional agencies. This is a full-time position in a 24/7 Emergency Communications Center with rotating days and shifts.

Candidates must remain composed under pressure, perform accurate dispatching, and provide essential lifesaving instructions while coordinating with multiple agencies.

Qualifications

• Sound judgment, attention to detail, and professional customer service.
• Ability to remain composed under pressure.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts including days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Safety-sensitive position subject to random and pre-employment drug testing.

Responsibilities

• Process 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls and dispatch appropriate public safety responders.
• Provide lifesaving instructions to callers when needed.
• Dispatch law enforcement, fire, and EMS resources via two-way radio.
• Monitor databases for responder safety information and maintain incident records.

Skills

Public safety communication

Calm under pressure

Excellent communication

Job description

**Applications are reviewed regularly. Postings may close prior to the listed date.** Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately.

Douglas County Emergency Management is seeking individuals with a desire to serve their community in a critical public safety role by providing key communications support for law enforcement and first responders across multiple partner agencies in our region.

Emergency Communications Specialists, also referred to as "dispatchers", and known as "the first, first responder" are often the first trained point of contact in an emergency. They begin the important work of obtaining essential information and sending the appropriate responders to the proper location. They may also provide instructions to the 9-1-1 caller, which in many cases is essential to stabilizing or saving a life.

Requiring sound judgment, attention to detail, and professional customer service, dispatchers are responsible for performing quick, efficient, and accurate dispatching of calls and messages with public safety units and personnel in the field. The right candidates for these positions will demonstrate composure under pressure, strong communication skills, and a commitment to success through teamwork. If you are looking for a fulfilling career that has a positive impact on our community, the Emergency Communications Specialist could be the perfect opportunity.

This is full-time shift work in an Emergency Communications Center, which operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Employees in this position can expect to rotate through a variety of shifts including days, swings, nights, holidays and weekends. Shifts are typically 8 or 10 hours in duration. During the typical 6-8-month training period, trainees will work alongside different trainers during each training phase and work varying shifts in accordance with their trainer's assigned shift.

Primary Objectives

Performs intermediate work processing emergency (9-1-1) and non-emergency calls for Douglas County, NV and Alpine County, CA while providing appropriate lifesaving instructions; dispatching the appropriate law enforcement, fire department, and emergency medical service resources via two-way radio while checking local, state, and federal databases for responder safety information; performs related tasks as apparent or assigned.

This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to random and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.

Supervision Exercised

None

1. Provides public safety communication services for emergency and non-emergency purposes for various agencies such as Douglas County Sheriff's Office, East Fork Fire Protection District, Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District, Washoe Tribal Police, and Alpine County's Sheriff, Fire and Medical services; takes emergency and non-emergency calls for animal control and general improvement districts and other utilities; keeps track of a wide variety of public safety responders, resources, personnel, incidents and trends.
2. Works a rotating schedule that may include day, swing, and graveyard shifts, weekends, and holidays, as assigned, to ensure 24-hour coverage and continuous operation of the facility. Adjusts to changes in shift assignments based on operational needs.
3. Receives,