Telecommunicator - Overnight Shift

Harris County ESD #11; Spring (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County ESD #11 is seeking a Telecommunicator to answer emergency medical calls, document details, and coordinate EMS dispatch in a high-volume, high-stress setting in Texas.

The role requires accuracy, composure, and the ability to multitask while following IAED protocols and MPDS guidelines. Strong typing, communication skills, and a valid Texas driver’s license are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• One-year experience as a public safety Telecommunicator / operator in a high-performance EMS system.
• Current Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatch (AEMD) and CPR Certification.
• Adept with map books and following written/verbal instructions.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Ability to type at least 35 words per minute.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have a valid Texas driver's license.
• May not have been excluded by the OIG to participate in federally funded healthcare programs.

Responsibilities

• Receives and processes emergency medical calls and dispatches EMS units in a high-volume environment.
• Uses MPDS to determine appropriate response levels.
• Provides pre-arrival medical instructions per IAED protocols (CPR, childbirth, airway management).
• Dispatches EMS units timely using CAD, radio, and status tools.
• Documents call and incident details accurately in CAD with location and access information.
• Relays critical information between scenes, EMS units, fire agencies, and others as needed.
• Operates public safety communications systems including CAD, 9-1-1, GIS mapping, and radio systems.
• Maintains situational awareness to support safe, coordinated response.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with callers and field personnel.
• Reports routing issues to on-duty Field Supervisor; performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

MPDS

IAED protocols

CAD

Public safety communications

Medical dispatch

Typing 35 wpm

Education

High school diploma or GED

AEMD certification

CPR certification

Texas driver’s license

OIG exclusion check

Job description

Description

SUMMARY:

The Telecommunicator answers emergency medical calls and uses radio, telephone, and computer systems to obtain, document, and transmit essential information to emergency response personnel. This position requires a high level of accuracy, clear and composed communication, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously to ensure timely and effective support of emergency medical operations.

SPECIAL NOTE:

This job has been designated as a Safety Sensitive Position by HCESD11. Public safety, as well as the safety of HCESD11 employees, requires that the employee in this position be able to always perform all essential functions at the highest levels. Therefore, this position is subject to frequent drug testing and requires reporting of all employee use of High-Risk Medications identified by HCESD11 and certification from the employee’s physician that such medications can be safely used while working. Because HCESD11 ’s ability to deliver emergency medical response depends on having a workforce that can be reliably scheduled, this job also requires regular and reliable attendance. This is a high-stress job that requires focus, engagement, and high performance in traumatic, physically demanding, emotionally charged, and life-threatening situations. The position involves exposure to serious and graphic injury to adults and children, including death and dismemberment. A high level of physical, mental, and emotional health is an essential requirement.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• Receives and processes emergency medical calls and performs dispatch functions for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Utilizes the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) to obtain critical information and determine appropriate response levels.
• Provides medical pre-arrival instructions in accordance with International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) protocols, including CPR, childbirth/OB, airway management, choking, and hemorrhage control.
• Dispatches EMS units timely and accurately using Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), radio systems, and system status management tools.
• Accurately documents all call and incident information in the CAD system, including location details, access instructions, business or apartment identifiers, gate codes, patient location, and crew safety information.
• Relays critical information and messages between emergency scenes, EMS units, fire agencies, and other entities requiring notification during emergency incidents.
• Operates public safety communications systems, including CAD, 9-1-1 telephone systems, text-to-911, TDD, GIS mapping, aerial imagery, and public safety radio systems.
• Maintains situational awareness by monitoring unit status and incident activity to support coordinated and safe emergency response.
• Communicates clearly, calmly, and professionally with callers and field personnel during emergency situations.
• Provides appropriate routing to units and reports routing issues to the on-duty Field Supervisor when identified.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• One-year experience as a public safety Telecommunicator / operator in a high-performance EMS system.
• Current Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatch (AEMD) (or able to attend within first three months) and CPR Certification.
• Adept with the use of map books, i.e., keymap, and be able to receive and follow written and/or verbal instructions appropriately.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously and make sound decisions in high-pressure situations while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to type at least 35 words per minute.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolutions skills.
• NIMS IC‑100, 200, 700, 800 within 6 months of employment.
• Must have a valid Texas driver's license.
• May not have been excluded by the OIG to participate in federally funded healthcare programs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Sit for extended periods of time
• Lifting up to 10 pounds
• Walk, stand, bend, squat, twist, and reach
• Simple grasping and fine manipulation
• Extended keyboarding

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Air-conditioned office environment

HCESD11 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, HCESD11 will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Furthermore, HCESD11 has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and HCESD11 reserves the right to change this position description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as HCESD11 may deem appropriate.