Telecommunicator I

Chatham, County of (NC); Pittsboro (NC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading public service as a Telecommunicator I, the crucial first responder in emergencies. This role offers competitive pay and exceptional benefits while fulfilling essential duties in the community's safety. Ideal candidates are calm, compassionate, and thrive in high-pressure situations, ready to support citizens 24/7.

Benefits

Excellent health coverage

Generous retirement plans

Paid time off

Opportunities for advancement

Qualifications

• Moderate experience in general clerical work.
• Basic computer knowledge required.
• Ability to handle stressful situations.

Responsibilities

• Dispatch law enforcement, fire, and medical services.
• Operate emergency communication systems and provide instructions.
• Maintain communication logs and reports.

Skills

Calmness

Compassion

Quick Thinking

Customer Service

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Be the calm in the chaos — join our exceptional team as a Telecommunicator I!

Are you ready to make a real difference every day? As the first point of contact in emergencies, Telecommunicators are the vital link between those in need and the help they depend on. We're looking for calm, compassionate, and quick-thinking individuals to join our high-performing, supportive team of professionals who take pride in serving their community 24/7.

This is more than just a job — it’s a career with some of the best benefits around, including competitive pay, excellent health coverage, generous retirement plans, paid time off, and opportunities for advancement. You'll work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment that values your dedication and resilience. Shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays, is part of the role — but so is knowing that what you do truly matters.

If you're ready to be part of something bigger, apply today and become the voice that helps bring order when it matters most.

Performs intermediate technical work an assigned shift dispatching law enforcement, fire, emergency medical service and non-emergency calls for service and performs related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Telecommunicator II.

• Operates emergency communication system, answers all emergency and non-emergency calls, receives complaints and requests for service, obtains necessary information, and dispatches medical, fire, and law enforcement personnel and/or advises callers of proper contact for assistance or information;
• Utilizes Emergency Dispatch protocol programs to categorize and prioritize emergency medical, fire, and law enforcement calls for service and provides post-dispatch and pre-arrival instructions to callers;
• Operates a computer terminal, transmits and receives information via Department of Criminal Information (DCI) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) networks, and enters medical, fire, and law enforcement calls into a computer-aided dispatch system;
• Monitors radio channels for medical, fire, and law enforcement agencies and maintains radio contact with dispatched personnel;
• Provides directions to responding units using computer mapping system;
• Serves as liaison to various agencies, including on-call personnel, magistrates, medical examiner, animal control, State highway patrol, etc.;
• Answers non-emergency and after-hours calls for various departments;
• Maintains communication logs and reports, including the nature of calls, actions taken, and time involved;
• Performs pager announcements and tests for medical and fire departments;
• Monitors public and private fire and security alarm systems and activates monitors to dispatch fire and rescue squads as needed.
• Provides requested information to local attorneys and Sheriff’s office;
• Attends training as necessary to maintain certifications;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

High school diploma or GED and moderate experience in general clerical work, including basic computer knowledge or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• General knowledge of the methods of operating the communication system;
• General knowledge of radio and teletype procedures;
• General knowledge of the geography of the county and the location of important buildings;
• General knowledge of law enforcement forms, terminology, and records;
• General knowledge of departmental programs, policies, and procedures;
• Ability to perform a considerable volume of detailed work;
• Ability to type accurately at a reasonable rate of speed;
• Ability to speak distinctly;
• Ability to deal with the public under stressful conditions and remain calm;
• Ability to follow oral and written directions;
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and personal computers, including some knowledge of applicable software packages;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.

Physical Requirements
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking, hearing, use of hands and fingers, handling, feeling, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, pushing, pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; work requires vocal communication to express or exchange ideas orally and to convey detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; work requires hearing to perceive information at normal spoken levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications; work requires preparing and analyzing written computer data and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to or environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements
Must possess or obtain Department of Criminal Information Operator certification within one year of employment.

Must possess or obtain CPR certification within one year of employment.

Must possess or obtain Emergency Medical Dispatch certification within one year of employment.

Must possess or obtain Emergency Fire Dispatch certification within one year of employment.

Must possess or obtain Emergency Police Dispatch certification within one year of employment.

Must possess or obtain NIMS/ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800 certifications within one year of employment.

Must possess or obtain a Public Safety Telecommunicator certification within one year of employment..