TELECOMMUNICATOR

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

Job summary

City of Columbia seeks a dedicated Emergency Communications Officer to receive and dispatch emergency and non-emergency calls. The role requires precise data entry, rapid decision making, and professional interaction with officers and the public.

Responsibilities include operating CAD, monitoring radio channels, and coordinating with fire, police, EMS, and haz-mat teams. Training is provided; applicants must be able to work 12-hour shifts and be on call.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• One year relevant prior experience.
• Typing 30 corrected wpm.
• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver’s License.
• NCIC certification and/or 40-hour 911 Basic Telecommunications Officer Certification.
• Must have available transportation and be accessible by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Background investigation and polygraph exam may be required.

Responsibilities

• Operates computer-aided dispatch system for emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Dispatches law enforcement, fire, EMS and other units accurately and promptly.
• Maintains dispatch records and logs with completeness and accuracy.
• Monitors radio communications and aids field officers as needed.
• Tests equipment and assists in training new employees.

Skills

Typing 30 wpm

SC Driver's License

NCIC Certification

911 Certification

Background check

Emergency communications

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job 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.

• 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.

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 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 fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.