TELECOMMUNICATOR

City of Columbia SC; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 37,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Columbia SC is seeking an Emergency Communications Officer to handle incoming calls in a fast-paced center, dispatching emergency and non-emergency services while maintaining accurate dispatch records. The role requires working 12-hour rotating shifts, being on-call 24/7, and meeting NCIC/911 certification requirements.

Training and ongoing skill development are expected. Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED, 1 year of experience, and typing 30 wpm; a SC Class D

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• One year of relevant prior experience.
• Must type 30 corrected wpm.
• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver’s License.
• NCIC certification and/or 40-hour 911 Basic Telecommunications Officer Certification from the SCJA.
• Must have available transportation and be reachable by phone 24/7.
• Background investigation and polygraph may be required.

Responsibilities

• Handle computer-aided dispatch for emergency and non-emergency calls for law enforcement, fire, EMS, rescue and haz‑mat response.
• Monitor radio communications and track field units; dispatch back‑up as needed.
• Transmit/receive information on the NCIC system; document communications and records.
• Provide routine information to callers, take messages and route calls.
• Assist in training new and tenured employees; maintain equipment and records.
• Attend trainings and meetings to maintain knowledge and skills.
• Work rotating 12‑hour shifts to include holidays, nights and weekends; on call 24/7.

Skills

Typing 30 wpm

NCIC certification

911 certification

Emergency dispatch

Communications center operations

On-call 24/7 availability

Education

High school diploma or GED

SC Class D Driver’s License

NCIC certification and/or 40-hour 911 Basic Telecommunications Officer Certification

Job description

Description

This position receives in-coming emergency and non-emergency calls in a fast paced emergency communications center; dispatches calls for law enforcement, fire, EMS and other emergency and non-emergency personnel and services in an accurate, timely and professional manner; maintains accurate and complete dispatch records, and performs related work as required. The incumbent works according to set procedures under occasional supervision.

Description

This position receives in-coming emergency and non-emergency calls in a fast paced emergency communications center; dispatches calls for law enforcement, fire, EMS and other emergency and non-emergency personnel and services in an accurate, timely and professional manner; maintains accurate and complete dispatch records, and performs related work as required. The incumbent works according to set procedures under occasional supervision.

The work is considered sedentary in nature and involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, mental acuity, repetitive motion, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment involves exposure to no known environmental hazards; and is relatively safe, secure, and stable.

Essential Job Functions

• Performs computer-aided dispatching work, including receiving and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls for law enforcement, fire, EMS, rescue and haz-mat response;
• Handles calls in a professional and timely manner and in compliance with all pertinent local, state and federal regulations;
• Monitors and responds to radio communications; tracks the location of field units; provides information, assistance and directions to officers in the field; dispatches back‑up assistance as needed to help ensure the safety of officers;
• Transmits and receives information regarding criminal activity on the NCIC computer;
• Initiates calls to persons at the request of officers; calls wrecker companies as directed. Documents all emergency communications and maintains related records, forms, logs, etc., with completeness and accuracy;
• Provides routine assistance and information to callers, such as taking messages, providing directions, routing calls, etc.;
• Monitors weather radio and alerts appropriate personnel of potential inclement conditions;
• Assists in training new employees and tenured employees;
• Receives and responds to public inquiries, requests for assistance and complaints;
• Prepares and submits various reports as required;
• Attends training sessions, workshops, meetings, etc., to maintain or enhance job knowledge and skills;
• Works rotating 12-hour shifts to include holidays, nights, and weekends;
• Remains on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week, for emergency response;
• Assists in maintaining Communications Center work area and equipment in clean and working condition; tests equipment periodically for proper working condition;
• Performs general clerical work as required, including preparing lists, logs and reports, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, etc.;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements to Perform Work:

• High school diploma or GED
• One (1) year relevant prior experience
• Required to type 30 corrected wpm
• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver’s License
• NCIC certification and/or 40-hour 911 Basic Telecommunications Officer Certification from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy
• Must have available transportation as emergency personnel and be accessible by phone all hours
• Background investigation and polygraph exam may be required

Trainee Requirements

Pay Grade: 106

$37,166.00 - $39,024.00.

• High school diploma or GED
• Six (6) months relevant prior experience
• Required to type 30 corrected wpm
• Valid South Carolina Class DDriver’s License
• Be able to obtain and maintain NCIC certification within four (4) weeks from date of hire or promotion
• Be able to obtain 40 hour E911 Basic Telecommunications Officer Certification from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy within one (1) year from date of hire or promotion
• Completion of six week training course.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculating ratios, rates and percentages;
• Ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine or evaluate data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information;
• Ability to provide information, guidance or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give directions or assignments to helpers or assistants;
• Ability to lead, operate or repair complex machinery or equipment that requires extended training and experience, such as electronic telecommunications equipment, or the application of custom, complex software or systems; may involve installation and testing. Involves operations of limited scope;
• Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem-solving;
• Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form;
• Ability to perform clerical, manual or technical tasks requiring a wide range of procedures and requiring intensive understanding of a restricted field or complete familiarity with the functions of a unit or small division of an operating agency; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results or occasional exposure to unusual pressure;
• Ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers, emergency response personnel, callers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat