Public Safety Emergency Call Taker 1Z (Midnight Shift)

Prince George's County Government; Upper Marlboro (MD); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Prince George's County Government Office of the Sheriff is seeking a Public Safety Emergency Call Taker I (Midnight Shift) within the Bureau of Field Operations / Warrants / Teletype & Records.

This entry-level role handles calls via 9-1-1 and non-emergency lines, enters information into the CAD system, and provides pre-arrival and post-dispatch instructions while remaining calm under pressure. Rotating shifts and essential public safety duties apply.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• One year of practical work experience.
• One year of experience using Windows-based computer programs.

Responsibilities

• Receives calls from the public on emergency and non-emergency lines, determines the type of service required and obtains the necessary information for disposition.
• Promptly and professionally answers inquiries from citizens by phone or in person with a clear, well-modulated voice and proper grammar.
• Must distinguish between criminal and civil matters to determine the appropriate response and refer to the proper agency when not the responsibility of the Sheriff.
• Operates and follows procedures for telecommunications systems, METERS, NCIC, and related resources to obtain warrants, checks, and related inquiries.
• Completes reports and distributes information according to SOPs and general orders.
• May perform related duties as needed.

Skills

Excellent listening ability

Calm telephone manner

Multitasking

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CAD system

Windows-based computer programs

Job description

Come join our team!

Prince George’s County Government provides a dynamic and inclusive workplace where employees can thrive, learn, and grow across its 30 diverse agencies, all dedicated to serving the County's residents with essential resources and services. Nestled just minutes away from Washington, DC, Prince George's County combines urban vibrancy with serene surroundings, offering an ideal setting to live, work, and enjoy life.

The Prince George's County Government Office of the Sheriff is currently seeking qualified applicants to fill a Public Safety Emergency Call Taker 1Z (Midnight Shift) position, grade Z14, within its Bureau of Field Operations / Warrants / Teletype & Records.

About the Position

This is entry-level technician work responsible for developing proficient emergency call taker skills involved in the operation of the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and related equipment at a public safety dispatch center. Duties of the Public Safety Emergency Call Taker series focus on collecting, organizing and broadcasting emergency caller information to the 9-1-1 dispatchers. In practice, Call Taker incumbents receive incoming calls via the 9-1-1 system's emergency or non-emergency lines, enter and transmit appropriate emergency information and codes into the CAD, and simultaneously provide pre-arrival and post-dispatch instructions to distressed or irate callers while recording same on the CAD system. Incumbents in this class are responsible for becoming familiar with emergency and dispatch protocols to effectuate Call Taker response and transmission of emergency requests in a safe, reproducible, and non-arbitrary manner. Incumbents in this class are expected to exhibit highly skilled listening ability in order to quickly and accurately ascertain from emotional, distraught individuals, the nature of assistance required along with the ability to accurately and quickly type/enter the information in the CAD system. The incumbent is considered to be an essential public safety employee and assigned to rotating shifts. Work is performed under direct supervision of a Public Safety Emergency Call Taker III or other designated supervisor and evaluated in terms of reliable adherence to established general orders policies, protocols and guidelines. Upon the satisfactory completion of the probationary period, entry-level Public Safety Emergency Call Taker I will be promoted to the Public Safety Emergency Call Taker II full-performance class.This position is considered an essential public safety position.

About the Agency

The Prince George's County Office of the Sheriff has been a vital link in the criminal justice system for more than 300 years, providing the citizens of Prince George’s County with professional, transparent, and effective law enforcement service. The Office of the Sheriff serves as the law enforcement arm of the courts, responding to domestic violence calls, processing warrants, civil papers, domestic violence peace and protective orders, Emergency Psychiatric Petition (E.P.S.) orders, and the execution of evictions. The Office of the Sheriff is also responsible for court security, providing security and protection for visitors to our courthouses and securing courtrooms and holding areas. Deputies transport prisoners and are responsible for extraditing fugitives from other states.

RECEIVES CALLS FOR SERVICE

• Receives calls from the public on emergency and nonemergency telephone lines, determines the type of service required and obtains the necessary information for disposition.
• Promptly and professionally answers inquiries from citizens on the telephone and in person. Must answer calls and questions with a clear, well-modulated voice and use good grammatical construction.
• Must be able to distinguish between criminal matters and civil matters to determine the appropriate type of response. Must have a working knowledge of other County and State Agencies to refer the public to the appropriate Agency when not the responsibility of the Office of the Sheriff.

RECEIVE MESSAGES FROM PERSONNEL

• Should have a pleasant and calming telephone manner and be able to extract pertinent information from callers.
• Must have extensive knowledge of, the Teletype Section Directives, S.O.P.'s, memorandums and General Orders.
• Must keep supervisor(s) advised of calls of serious and unusual nature and refer any problem that cannot be handled to the appropriate supervisor.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROCEDURES AND SYSTEM OPERATIONS

• Have expert knowledge of Telecommunications procedures which includes obtaining information from various computer terminals such as METERS, Sheriff Warrant and other inquiries through various methods to obtain wanted checks, stolen article checks, stolen vehicle checks, operator and vehicle registration checks and other related information inquiries.
• Enters and accesses information from METERS/NCIC and other resources as developed and implemented. Maintains liaison with an accurate listing of various law enforcement agencies
• Must be capable of following Bureau of Administration S.O.P.'s regarding locating warrants. Follows all written and stated procedures and guidelines for locating, pulling and filing SDN folders.
• Follow all written and stated procedures for filing warrants, papers, photographs, etc., in folders. Complete all statistic sheets, dissemination sheets and other required reports in accordance with written and stated procedures.
• Must be able to coordinate information regarding serious incidents or ongoing incident with local and adjacent jurisdictions.
• Analyzes computer printouts, compiles and tabulates data and prepares related reports.

PERFORMS OTHER RELATED DUTIES

• May be required to perform related duties that are not specifically listed in the job description.
• Must remain cooperative, and be diligent in the performance of assigned duties, and always display appropriate and professional conduct so as not to bring discredit to this agency.

EACH APPLICANT MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION WHICH CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at time of hire.
• High school diploma or GED.
• One (1) year of practical work experience
• One (1) year of work experience demonstrating the use of Windows-based computer programs.
• Must pass an entrance examination, keyboarding proficiency test and background investigation to include a medical examination.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous public safety or local government experience.
• Previous experience as a public safety call taker.
• Call center experience.

Additional Eligibility Criteria

Candidates deemed as meeting the minimum qualifications will be invited to complete and pass an online Emergency Call Taker examination. Applicants who have previously taken and passed the exam on or after 8/1/2024 will not be required to re-test. Previous passing test scores will be applied.

Salary Range Transparency

The salary range listed in this announcement reflects the offer range for this position. Offers made within this range are based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Tentative Interview Dates

October 20 - 21, 2026. Please note that interview dates are subject to change and only selected candidates will receive confirmation and additional details.

Job Location

5303 Chrysler Way, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Conditions of Employment

Upon selection, the candidate must:

• Pass an administered Emergency Call Taker exam. Applicants who have previously taken and passed the exam on or after 8/1/2024 will not be required to re-test. Previous passing test scores will be applied.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age at time of hire.
• Successfully pass a background investigation conducted by the Prince George’s County, Office of Human Resources Management, Public Safety Investigations Division.
• Be able to work eight (8), ten (10) or twelve (12) hour rotating shifts.
• Pass a medical examination, including a drug screening and random drug and alcohol tests.
• Meet and demonstrate proficiency in all agency-required training and certification standards
• Wear a departmental uniform and a headset in the performance of their duties.
• In emergency circumstances, incumbents must be able to report to an alternative 9-1-1 center.
• As an ESSENTIAL employee, work during emergency situations, including inclement weather, natural and man-made disasters, etc., and conform/perform according to essential public safety employee policy/procedure. Essential employees are expected to report or remain at work when other County employees are granted Administrative Leave.
• Satisfactorily complete all components of the Practical and Academic Public Safety Call Taker I/II training program by achieving a minimum score set by the agency or as established by industry standards on all quizzes, examinations and practical evaluations.
• Must complete the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) - Emergency Telecommunicator Course (ETC) and obtain ETC certification by achieving a minimum score set by the agency or as established by industry standards on all course examinations.
• Must complete the Maryland State National Crime Information Center (NCIC) CN2 training course.
• Must obtain and maintain NCIC - CN2 certification by achieving a minimum passing score on all course examinations.
• Must complete other courses as mandated by the State of Maryland and/or agency training policies.
• Meet all training and performance standards and demonstrate proficiency as required by the agency.