Telecommunicator

Johnston County; Smithfield (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime

12 paid holidays

Potential earnings with experience

Sick & vacation accrual

Job summary

The Johnston County Communications Department is seeking a full-time 911 Telecommunicator (Dispatcher). The role involves answering 911 and administrative lines, dispatching law enforcement, fire, and EMS, and maintaining radio contact with field units.

Calibration for high-stress situations is essential. Preferred candidates have relevant certifications (DCI, EMD, EFD and/or EPD) and prior 911 dispatch experience.

Qualifications

• Must have strong multitasking skills and stay composed under stressful conditions.
• Ability to type accurately and communicate clearly over radio/phone.
• Good reading comprehension and following written and oral instructions.
• Experience or familiarity with emergency communications adds value.

Responsibilities

• Answer 911 emergency and administrative lines and dispatch law enforcement, fire and EMS by two-way radio.
• Maintain contact with units, monitor incidents, and provide essential information to responders.
• Operate the DCI terminal to access criminal history and NCIC data; generate reports as needed.
• Provide information to the public and assist with general inquiries while upholding policy and safety standards.

Skills

Multitasking

Working under pressure

Typing

Clear speech

Follow instructions

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

DCI terminal

Job description

The Johnston County Communications Department has a full-time 911 Telecommunicator (Dispatcher) position available.

Initial Telecommunicator candidates will receive an invitation to complete an online test assessment from a third party; so please monitor your email for "TestGenius".

The employees receive incoming routine and emergency calls related to the fi re departments, law enforcement departments, rescue squads, emergency management, Red Cross, highway patrol, and animal control. Employees dispatch the proper personnel for assistance and maintain contact with units until the incident is resolved. Work also involves assisting the public with directions and general information. Work involves frequent public contact which requires tact, firmness and decisiveness in obtaining necessary information from people who are under extreme stress. Work is performed in accordance with departmental policy and state and federal law, supplemented with specific directions from sworn personnel. Work is often performed under stressful emergency conditions. The employee must be alert and possess the ability to make split second critical decisions regarding citizens lives and property. The employees are subject to inside environmental conditions. Work is evaluated through observation, discussion and review of reports by the Telecommunications Supervisor through feedback from officers and emergency management personnel.

Preferred applicant is highly experienced and trained with DCI, EMD, EFD and/or EPD certifications. Certifications will be reviewed.

Preference will be given to applicants who have prior 911 Telecommunication experience.

Starting rate for this position is $55,244.80/$26.56 with additional compensation based on relevant experience.

• 2hrs/wk of Built-In Overtime (when released from Training Academy)
• 12 Paid County Holidays
• Potential Earnings w/No Experience: $63,486.37
• Monthly Accrual of Sick & Vacation Time

• Position is responsible for answering 911 emergency phone and administrative phone lines, dispatching law enforcement, fire and EMS to emergency and non-emergency situations by two-way radio.
• Receives routine and emergency telephone calls and personal request for assistance concerning crimes, fi re, animal control, home health, or general information concerning addresses and nature of problems.
• Operates equipment to maintain contact with law enforcement personnel and other law enforcement units; dispatches deputies to answer requests for assistance; receives and transmits information and messages.
• Operates equipment to maintain contact with various personnel in dispatching fire departments, rescue squads, police departments, social services, juvenile officers, wrecker services, Red Cross, highway patrol, and emergency management personnel.
• Operates Division of Criminal Information (DCI) terminal to send and receive messages regarding criminal histories, vehicle identification, NCIC hot fi les, missing persons, license plate records, driver histories, and query system for pawn shop transactions, and related work.
• Maintains an in-house computer database and communications logs and reports including the nature of calls, actions taken and the times involved; and generates reports for recovered or stolen property, missing persons, and residence checks.

Additional Duties

• Provides information to the public in person and over the telephone concerning a variety of County services.
• Performs related duties as required.

• Successful candidate must possess good computer skills, ability to multitask and work under pressure.
• Ability to work a rotating 12 hour shift.
• Prior 911 dispatch experience and certifications highly preferred.
• Considerable knowledge of the operation of a law enforcement and emergency communications system and related Federal Communications Commission regulations.
• Considerable knowledge of the geographic layout of the County, and the locations of streets, important buildings, and other landmarks.
• Working knowledge of the functions, practices and procedures of the Sheriff's Department.
• Working knowledge of various emergency situations in order to provide standing order advice to victims.
• Ability to accurately receive and transmit radio communications.
• Ability to assess people and situations, to apply sound judgment, to remain calm under stressful conditions and to elicit sufficient and essential information for dispatching and assisting field personnel.
• Ability to type.
• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

• Graduation from high school and some related communications, dispatching or reception work experience preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Candidates must possess or obtain certification in emergency medical, emergency fire and emergency police dispatch.
• Please list all applicable experience on application.

Special Requirements

• Certification or ability to obtain, within 12 months, the Certified Telecommunicator certification required by the North Carolina Department of Justice