Highway Patrol Telecommunicator in Training (Wake County)

NC State Highway Patrol; Wake Village (TX); On-site; USD 34,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

North Carolina State Highway Patrol is seeking a Telecommunicator to support troopers and communities by coordinating emergency and non-emergency responses. The role emphasizes accurate information relay, rapid prioritization, and effective public safety communication.

Selected candidates undergo a structured training and progression plan, starting as a Telecommunicator Trainee with a defined salary, and may progress to a fully qualified Telecommunicator after training and one year of on-the-job

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Ability to type and work efficiently under pressure.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may qualify.
• Must meet DCI certification or become certified within 120 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Assess and coordinate emergency and non-emergency response activities by evaluating reported situations and deploying resources.
• Support operations involving officer safety, SHP Aviation Mission emergencies, severe weather events, and other critical incidents.
• Receive, solicit, process, and prioritize information from multiple sources to manage communications.
• Identify and evaluate risks to responding units using CIIS and other public safety systems.
• Operate CAD, TTY/TTD, Land Mobile Radio, and MS Office applications.
• Communicate effectively using law enforcement radio codes to exchange sensitive information securely.
• Serve as liaison between the public, the organization, and allied government agencies.
• Maintain cooperative communication with partners to support coordinated response and public safety operations.

Skills

Decision making under pressure

Emergency response coordination

Active listening

Public safety communication

Multitasking

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch)

TTY/TTD systems

Mapping software (Google/Bing)

CIIS access

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About Us

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol's primary mission is to reduce collisions and make the highways of North Carolina as safe as possible. The NCSHP has more than 1,600 troopers who cover nearly 80,000 miles of North Carolina roadways, more than any other state except Texas. In addition to enforcing the state's traffic laws, state troopers also guide traffic during hurricane evacuations, re‑route traffic around hazardous chemical spills, and they stand ready should any act of terrorism occur. State Troopers are committed to protecting North Carolina's motoring public.

Description of Work

Join the North Carolina State Highway Patrol as a Telecommunicator—where every call you take supports troopers, protects communities, and helps save lives across our state. You do not need a badge to make a difference—your voice can be the first line of response. This position performs fast‑paced, high‑responsibility work coordinating emergency and non‑emergency response efforts. Telecommunicators serve as the critical link between the public and first responders by receiving, prioritizing, and accurately relaying information to ensure timely and effective response to incidents impacting public and officer safety.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Learn More About the Role: Curious about what it is like to serve as a Highway Patrol Telecommunicator? This role plays a critical part in protecting the public and supporting law enforcement operations across North Carolina. Watch the video below for a realistic preview of the position: SHP Telecommunicators Video ***

This is a continuous posting used to fill Telecommunicator positions within Troop C, which serves Wake County and surrounding areas, with the Communications Center located in Raleigh, NC. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and used to support both current and anticipated vacancies. Because this is an ongoing recruitment effort, not all applicants will be contacted immediately. Candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted as positions become available based on operational needs.

Salary

Salary Range: $33,902 - $59,327 (full range for this classification)

Salary Grade: NC05

Starting Salary and Training Progression:

This position follows a structured training and progression plan. Selected candidates will be hired as a Highway Patrol Telecommunicator Trainee at a starting salary of $40,343, regardless of education or experience level. Candidates with recent prior experience as a North Carolina State Highway Patrol Telecommunicator within the last three (3) years may be considered for a higher starting rate, based on that experience. As part of the training program, employees must successfully complete a 640‑hour Basic Telecommunicator Training Program, required certification courses, and obtain North Carolina Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission certification. Following successful completion of training and one year of on‑the‑job experience, along with a performance rating of “Meets Expectations” or higher, employees may progress to Highway Patrol Telecommunicator with a salary of $42,615, based on funding availability.

Hire Location: 1636 Gold Star Dr, Raleigh, NC 27607

Management Preferences

These skills are not required but may be used to identify candidates for interview.

• Working knowledge of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Division of Criminal Information (DCI) rules and regulations related to radio communications
• Ability to make sound decisions in high‑pressure, time‑sensitive, and critical situations
• Experience using communication equipment in an emergency response environment (law enforcement, fire, EMS, military, or similar setting)
• Experience receiving, prioritizing, processing and transmitting large volumes of critical information in a fast‑paced environment
• Experience using mapping systems or geographic navigation tools (e.g., reading maps or using mapping software such as Google or Bing)

Key Responsibilities

• Assess and coordinate emergency and non‑emergency response activities by evaluating reported situations, determining necessary response actions, and deploying appropriate resources
• Support critical operations involving officer safety, SHP Aviation Mission emergencies, severe weather events, rescue operations, transportation of nuclear fuel, fixed nuclear facility incidents, terrorist threats, and homeland security‑related situations
• Receive, solicit, process, and prioritize information from multiple sources—including the public, law enforcement, and state and federal agencies to manage emergency and non‑emergency communications
• Identify and evaluate potential risks to responding law enforcement units using effective listening skills and public safety systems such as the Criminal Intelligence Information System (CIIS)
• Operate a variety of communication and technology systems, including: Computer‑Aided Dispatch (CAD), TTY/TTD systems, Land Mobile Radio System, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Form Flow), Internet and Intranet applications, Omnixx, and mapping programs
• Communicate effectively using law enforcement radio codes (e.g., 10‑codes) to ensure the secure and accurate exchange of sensitive information over publicly accessible radio channels
• Handle specialized communication systems, including: Dedicated circuits for North Carolina’s three fixed nuclear power plants; Telephone systems for AMBER Alerts, SILVER Alerts, and the Center for Missing Children; Access and disseminate law enforcement data through CIIS, including criminal history, driver and vehicle records, and terrorist or gang‑related intelligence, supporting information exchange at the state, national, and international levels
• Serve as a key liaison between the public, the organization, and allied government agencies, providing professional and effective customer service that directly impacts public perception and trust
• Maintain cooperative and effective communication with local, state, and federal partners to support coordinated emergency response and public safety operations

Position/Physical Requirements

Typical work schedule: Rotating & permanent day/night shifts, weekends, and holidays.
Note: Qualified recommended applicant(s) must undergo and successfully pass: Criminal Background Investigation, Drug Screening Test, Psychological Evaluation.
Please note: This posting may remain open for an extended period and may be reposted to ensure applicant visibility.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) diploma AND ability to type and work efficiently under pressure; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Qualifications

Must meet the applicable education, employment, and training standards as required for the following certifications: Department of Criminal Information (DCI) operator (must be DCI certified or become certified within 120 days of employment); NC Sheriff’s Education & Training Standards Commission Telecommunicator certification.

Employer Information

The NC State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation or influence. https://www.ncshp.gov/

The Mission of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol is to protect our State with integrity, loyalty, and professionalism. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol will excel as a national leader in public service through innovative law enforcement, strategic preparedness, and community engagement. The primary purpose of the State Highway Patrol’s Communications Unit is to provide 24‑hour continuous emergency, non‑emergency, and administrative communications services for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the public, and other state and federal agencies. We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace. NCSHP supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community.

Employment Eligibility: It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and NCSHP that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) before or on the first day of employment. We participate in E-Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System).

EEO Statement: The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.