PUBLIC SAFETY EMERGENCY DISPATCHER I/II

Prince George's County Public Schools

Bowie (MD)

On-site

USD 45,000 - 65,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Job summary

Prince George’s County Government is seeking qualified applicants for Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher I/II (Grade P16/P18) in the Public Safety Communications Division. The role requires handling 9-1-1 dispatch, data entry, and coordination with police, fire, and EMS from a secure on-site center in Bowie, MD.

Minimum qualifications include a HS diploma or GED, 18+ with dispatcher experience, and the ability to work rotating 12-hour shifts under high pressure. Bilinguals encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

High school diploma or GED required.
Must be 18+ years old with 1 year of dispatcher/public safety experience or equivalent.
Ability to work 12-hour rotating shifts in a high-stress environment.

Responsibilities

Dispatch police, fire, and EMS units to calls and provide pre-arrival instructions.
Enter and manage data in PSC systems; coordinate with agencies.
Operate 9-1-1 and non-emergency telephone systems and monitor multiple screens.
Work on-site at primary or backup centers and maintain communication protocols.

Skills

Two-way radio experience

High-pressure environment

Data entry speed

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) 9-1-1 system

GIS mapping tools

Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)

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.

Nature and Variety of Work

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply

The Office of Homeland Security is seeking qualified applicants to fill Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher I/II positions, Grade P16/P18 in the Public Safety Communications (PSC) Division for its upcoming Winter training class. This role is critical in maintaining and supporting public safety. If you have a desire to help the community, support emergency responses, and are seeking a rewarding career in public safety communications, we invite you to apply today.

About the position

Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher I incumbents/personnel are required to work 12-hour rotating shift work schedules and must have the tolerance to work under pressure. Work is performed inside a secured, windowless office environment with a specialized low-light system and includes prolonged periods of sitting at a designated workstation monitoring computer screens and entering data. There is limited opportunity for physical movement; rest and meal periods are dependent on workload. Selected candidates must be able to perform the following: reaching, fingering, grasping, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, typing, and repetitive motions. Vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus; the ability to see with or without corrective lenses, and well enough to read standard text and text displayed on a video display terminal. Work may require constant focus on a computer screen for two or more hours at a time. The incumbent must have the ability to hear with or without a headset-compatible hearing aid, speak well enough to converse on the telephone and headset, and able to type critical information at a terminal keyboard.

All personnel in this class of work must work on site and are not eligible for telework or remote work assignments

About the agency

The Office of Homeland Security (OHS) was developed as a result of legislation passed in 2003. This new agency incorporated critical emergency response entities that were previously part of other agencies. Public Safety Communications (PSC), which included all County 9-1-1, emergency dispatch and radio system support, had been part of the Office of Information Technology and Communications (OITC). The Emergency Management Division (EM) was within the Fire/EMS Department. EM and PSC were combined under the leadership of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety/Director of Homeland Security, forming the Office of Homeland Security. The legislation and resulting changes to the Charter, spelled out the separate and distinct missions assigned to EM and PSC.

Examples of work

Dispatch Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, and/or Fire/EMS units to respond to calls for assistance which are of a routine or emergency nature
Provide special instructions, hazard information, and additional information as appropriate or as requested by Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, or Fire/EMS personnel
Follow guidelines on how to enter information for broadcast to law enforcement officers throughout the County; operate a workstation comprised of multiple computer systems including Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency telephone system, geographical mapping tools (GIS and aerial photography), Computer Aided Dispatch, and other repositories for critical information to answer, triage and process incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for service
Initiate calls for service utilizing appropriate protocols, provides pre-arrival instructions including CPR instructions, when appropriate
Receive incoming requests for emergency and non-emergency assistance, determine the type of service(s) required and initiate calls for service in accordance with emergency dispatch protocols and PSC, Sheriff, Police, Fire/ EMS, other public safety agencies' policy
Receive and process 9-1-1 and non-emergency requests for service received via radio, 9-1-1 system, on-line programs, text, or telephone while using an issued headset or other computer-based communication equipment. Process/record pertinent information according to agency procedures and protocol.
Perform job duties at the alternate 9-1-1 center if activated or during tests/drills.

This position is designated "essential"

and the incumbent must be willing to participate as a critical/essential employee during emergencies, such as natural or manmade disasters or special activities/events. Essential employees are expected to report to work or remain at work when other County employees are granted administrative leave. Employees in this classification may be assigned to a one of four twelve hour rotating shifts to meet public safety service level requirements.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications

High school diploma or G.E.D.
Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application.
One (1) year of responsible work experience as an emergency or non-emergency dispatcher/call center operator, public safety officer, security, military or healthcare services, or relevant work experience using a two-way radio

Experience as a Public Safety Emergency Call Taker II with Prince George's County Government

Candidates must successfully pass agency-specified entrance examination.

EACH APPLICANT MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION THAT CLEARY DEMONSTRATES THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION.

Additional information

Job Location: 17321 Melford Blvd, Bowie, MD 20715 and/or 7915 Anchor Street, Landover, MD 20785

Conditions of Employment:

Upon selection, the candidate must:

Meet minimum qualifications and must pass an OHS 9-1-1 Specialist exam. Applicants who have previously taken and passed the exam on or after 8/1/2024 will not be required to re-test; instead, previous test scores will be used to receive the passing disposition
Successfully pass a background investigation conducted by Prince George's County’s Office of Human Resources Management Public Safety Investigations Division to include a medical examination, drug screen and random drug and alcohol tests, and psychological screening.
Be able to work ten (10) or twelve (12) hour rotating shifts
Have the ability (driver's license, vehicle, or other reliable transportation) to report to the primary center in Bowie, Maryland or the backup center in Landover, Maryland at the prescribed reporting times or when directed to do so
Wear a departmental uniform and a headset in the performance of their duties.
Satisfactorily complete all components of the Academic (Phase 1) training program by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all quizzes, examinations and practical evaluations
Complete the NAED (National Academy of Emergency Dispatch) Emergency Telecommunicator Course (ETC) and obtain ETC certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
Complete the NAED – EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch) course and obtain EMD certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
Complete the NAED – EFD (Emergency Fire Dispatch) course and obtain EFD certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
Complete the NAED – EPD (Emergency Police Dispatch) course and obtain EPD certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
Complete the Maryland State NCIC (National Crime Information Center) CN2 training course and obtain NCIC - CN2 certification by achieving a minimum passing score on all course examinations
Complete the CPR/BLS (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Basic Life Support) course for Health Care Providers and obtain CPR certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
Complete and meet all training and performance standards and demonstrate proficiency as required by the agency.
Be willing and able to serve as an essential employee. This position is essential. Essential employees are expected to report during standard or non-standard hours as operations necessitate, or during emergencies. Essential employees are expected to report or remain at work when other County employees are granted Administrative Leave.

SELECTION PROCESS

Phase 1

Qualifications Review and Standards Assessment
Computerized Pre-Employment Examination - OHS 9-1-1 Specialist Exam
Preliminary Screening

Phase 2

Background Investigation and Psychological Screening
Medical Examination & Drug Screening which includes marijuana

Phase 3

Final Offer of Employment
Successfully Complete Public Safety Communications Training Session within the established probationary period

Reasons for disqualification may include (but are not limited to) the following

Previous disqualification for this or other public safety positions
Deception or falsification of application or other documents
Poor driving record which may include suspended license/DWI/DUI
Failure to meet physical and mental standards

Notifications

Notifications for this position will be made via email.

Applicants must monitor the e‑mail account provided and update their online profile with any changes to personal information. All information, notices and scheduling regarding this application and evaluation process will be provided only in the online profile and/or through the email account that applicant provides with this application. Applicants must ensure e‑mail account allows emails from all addresses ending in "@co.pg.md.us".

For more information and updates, you may email pscrecruiting@co.pg.md.us.

ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED

Eligibility to Work

Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, an employer is required to hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. Applicants who are selected for employment will be required to provide and verify authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S., only after an offer has been accepted and the Form I‑9 is completed. For information on E‑Verify, or if you believe the County has violated its E‑Verify responsibilities, please contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at 888‑897‑7781 or visit their website at dhs.gov/E‑Verify.

Internal applicants

If you are a current Prince George's County Government employee and seeking a promotion, in accordance with Section 16-200 of the Personnel Law, you have the right to appeal a rejection rating within five (5) working days of receiving a rejection notice. Union employees should refer to their respective collective bargaining agreement and/or union representative for their grievance procedure.

Prince George's County Government is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

General Plan Information

The Prince George’s County benefits plan year is from January 1 to December 31. A spouse (to include a same sex spouse) can be added to the health benefit plans. A marriage certificate and social security number is required to add a spouse. Children under the age of 26 are eligible for coverage under the health benefit plans. This includes stepchildren and children of the same‑sex spouse. A birth certificate(s) and social security number(s) is required to add a child(ren). If you are only adding the stepchildren or child(ren) of a same‑sex spouse, you will need to submit a marriage certificate. You will also need to submit the birth certificate of the child(ren) and your spouse must be listed as a parent. The premiums for health benefits are deducted on a pre‑tax basis with the exception of Long‑Term Disability, Extra Life Insurance and Voluntary Benefits (Short‑Term Disability, Whole Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident Insurance, Cancer Indemnity, Hospital Indemnity Protection, Accident Indemnity Plan, Supplemental Dental and Group Legal Services). New employees must enroll in the County’s health benefit plans within thirty (30) days of the hire date. The effective date of the health benefits coverage is the beginning of the month following a waiting period of forty‑five (45) days from the date of hire. After enrolling in the County’s benefit plans, employees may only make changes to the plans either during the open enrollment period, which occurs annually (usually each October), and/or during the year, due to a family status change (i.e., marriage, births, divorce and adoption).

Employee Benefits

Medical/Prescription/Dental/Vision Insurance Coverage (part time employees are eligible for medical insurance if they work 15 + hours, per week)
Group Term Life Insurance
Long & Short-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
- Dependent Care Assistance Program
- Health Care Flexible Spending Account
Paid Leave (Annual, Personal, & Sick)
13 Paid Holidays
Retirement Benefits
- Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  - Employer Contribution Rate-11.71%
- Supplemental Pension Plan
  - Employee Contribution Rate (Pre-Tax)-3.48%
- 457(b)
- 403(b)
Employee Discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Voluntary Benefits
- Critical Illness
- Whole Life Insurance
- Accident Insurance
- Legal Services