Public Safety Telecommunicator - Trainee

Forsyth County; Cumming (GA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

Forsyth County is seeking an entry-level Public Safety Telecommunicator to triage 911 calls and coordinate emergency responses. The role involves in-house training and progression toward independent operation under supervision.

Duties include receiving calls, providing pre-arrival instructions, and logging data in dispatch systems. Successful candidates will participate in ongoing training modules, maintain calm under pressure, and support field responders.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; minimal training required.
• Must successfully pass a background check.
• Typing speed of 35 words per minute is required.
• Must possess a valid Georgia driver’s license and be a U.S. citizen for POST requirements.

Responsibilities

• Answer and process 911 and non-emergency calls; provide pre-arrival instructions as needed.
• Log calls and dispatch information in automated systems; use GCIC/NCIC databases.
• Monitor multiple radio frequencies and cameras; coordinate with other agencies.
• Maintain logs and perform clerical/database duties to support operations.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Typing speed 35 wpm

Public safety communications

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

GCIC terminals

CAD system

GIS

TDD

Job description

Position Information

The purpose of this classification is to receive and respond to calls coming into the County’s emergency 911 communication system. This classification is an entry-level, trainee position. A Public Safety Telecommunicator ’s work is expected to progress along a continuum of responsibility beginning with participation in an in-house training program and ending with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of a Public Safety Telecommunicator, Senior in a fully competent, responsible, and independent manner. All work is performed under close supervision of senior officers. Some essential functions require completion of certification or training modules.

Essential Functions

Participates in in-house training and attends training courses as assigned to learn the basics of emergency communications as well as policies and procedures pertaining to local operations; studies manuals, policies, and other materials; shadows senior officers to observe work and learn processes; and demonstrates proficiencies and understanding of training modules and work components as required.

Receives calls on the County’s emergency 911 system, including emergency TDD calls, and language lines: obtains information from callers; works to keep caller calm; maintains conversation with caller to obtain/verify pertinent information, to administer pre-arrival instructions in accordance with Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) guidelines, and to provide comfort until assistance arrives; re-establishes calls on 911 hang-ups; monitors status of response; confirms address of incident and references the MSAG and maps; and contacts wrecker services and utility companies as needed.

Receives non-emergency calls: provides information, answers questions, takes messages, and/or transfers/connects calls to appropriate staff, department, extension, service, or agency; provides the general public with directions/referrals, answers to citizen complaints/concerns, and other information requested regarding the community or situation.

Logs incoming calls and dispatch information into an automated system; utilizes Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and CAD terminals; enters information pertinent to incoming calls, dispatched agencies, response time and actions taken; modifies, locates, maintains, saves, and/or clears files/records within database; and records information manually into appropriate logs when computer is out of service.

Contacts various other departments to resolve problems such as malfunctioning streetlights, downed street signs, road hazards, water/gas line breaks, roadway debris, or power outages.

Monitors multiple radio frequencies and cameras while answering/processing telephone calls or other radio frequencies and responding to in-person requests for services or records; monitors alarm systems at specific locations.

Assists other jurisdictions as requested; contacts Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), Georgia State Patrol (GSP), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Family & Children’s Services (DFACS), Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), and/or surrounding law enforcement agencies for assistance when needed.

Handles inquiries on driver’s licenses (OLNs), vehicle identification numbers/tags, warrants/summons, stolen articles/property, wanted/missing persons, and guns.

Notifies appropriate personnel, supervisors, and/or command staff of critical emergency situations, weather-related information from weather radar, and/or problems with communications, GCIC, or other computer equipment.

Maintains assorted logs detailing daily activity, including wrecker service, warrants, CAD system dispatching, messages, GCIC/NCIC entries/retrievals of information, facsimiles, and teletypes.

Performs various administrative support activities: enters, updates, and retrieves information from databases; enters law enforcement information into databases; maintains communication logs; queries data bases upon request; researches warrant information, driver’s licenses and tags; submits information to appropriate staff; replenishes various forms, changes computer paper, and shreds confidential material; disseminates information to various departments; taking repossession and vacation notices; completes, prepares, processes, and/or files a variety of forms, teletypes, legal documents, requests, reports, correspondence, and other documentation associated with the daily routine of the position; and maintains files and administrative records.

Operates a GCIC terminal, Cad terminal, telephones, telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), fax machines, shredders, a personal computer, utilizes geographical information system (GIS), and general office equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of emergency communications software, word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software;

Cooperates with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and its officers/representatives when activities are related to investigations within County jurisdiction.

This classification is designated as a safety sensitive position which is subject to random drug and alcohol testing and any other drug testing methods as stated in policies adopted by Forsyth County concerning drug and alcohol.

Performs clerical support tasks, which may include, but shall not be limited to, making copies, sending/receiving faxes, locating telephone numbers and addresses, researching and contacting business/residence callouts, or contacting magistrate court/judge as needed; performs housekeeping tasks.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; supplemented by little or no previous experience or training.
• Must successfully pass a background investigation.
• Typing speed of 35 words per minute required.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license.
• MUST BE U.S. Citizen for POST requirements.

Benefits Provided By Forsyth County To Full-time Employees

Personal Leave Accrual

Personal Leave Shall Be Accrued As Follows

• 0 - 4 Years - 20 days per year - 6.16 hours per pay period
• 5 - 14 Years - 25 days per year - 7.70 hours per pay period
• 15+Years - 30 days per year - 9.24 hours per pay period

Observed Holidays

• New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving (2), and Christmas (2).

Medical Insurance

• Aetna Choice POS II - $2000 Individual Deductible (Basic Plan)
• Aetna Choice POS II - $1000 Individual Deductible (Plus Plan)
• Kaiser Permanente HMO- $0 Individual Deductible

Dental Insurance

• Base $1,000 Plan
• Buy-Up $1,500 Plan

Vision Insurance

The vision plan offered by Forsyth County Board of Commissioners is administered by Aetna and will offer office visit copays for exams, as well as copays for lenses, frames, and contacts.

Basic Life & AD&D Insurance

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners recognizes the importance of basic life insurance for all of its employees. The Board provides term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) protection for each full-time employee. This is a County-paid benefit.

Disability Insurance – Short Term and Long Term

Short Term Disability

• 60% of weekly earnings to a maximum of $1,000.00 a week. Eligibility begins 14 days after an accident or sickness and has a benefit period of 24 weeks.

Long Term Disability

• 60% of monthly earnings to a maximum of $5,000.00 a month. Eligibility begins at 26 weeks to coordinate with the end of Short Term benefits and continues 24 months (Own Occupation).

Additional Life Insurance And AD&D

• Rates vary based on amount of coverage selected. Additional life insurance may be purchased for employee, spouse, and children.

Retirement Plan (401K)

• Fully vested at five years of employment – 20% graduated vesting annually. Eligible to begin contributions immediately upon hire.
• Six Months through One Year of County Service – Forsyth County matches your contributions, dollar for dollar, up to 5% of your pay. That’s a 100% return on the first 5% of pay you save.
• Years One through Five – Forsyth County “seeds” your account with 5% of your pay each year, and matches 100% of what you contribute, up to 5% of your pay.
• Years 5 through 10 – The County continues its automatic “seed” contribution of 5% of pay, matches up to the first 5% of pay that you contribute, then adds a 50% match up to the next 5%.
• After 10 Years of Service – You continue to receive a 100% County match on the first 5% of pay you contribute, and 50% on the next 5% of pay you save. But now, the automatic contribution the County makes to “seed” your account each year increases to 7.5% of your pay.