Temporary Position: Public Safety Telecommunicator

University of North Carolina at Asheville; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 27,552 - 33,062; Part time

Job summary

UNC Asheville is seeking candidates to join a temporary pool of reserve Public Safety Telecommunicators. The role involves receiving emergency and non-emergency calls, monitoring alarms, relaying information, prioritizing calls, and dispatching public safety personnel using CAD and other telecommunications equipment.

The position requires knowledge of FCC rules, the ability to stay calm under stress, and strong teamwork.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency with DCI/CAD certification or ability to obtain within 45 days.
• Basic Telecommunicator Certification within one year or within 45 days for some positions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Google Docs, and Banner preferred.
• A two- or four-year degree is a plus; willingness to attend Sheriff’s Training Course.

Responsibilities

• Receive and triage emergency and non‑emergency calls and alarms.
• Prioritize and coordinate response procedures and dispatch personnel.
• Maintain public safety logs and CAD databases.
• Operate telecommunications and IT equipment including phones, radios, consoles, alarms, and DCI terminals.
• Work shifts including weekends, holidays, and overtime on a 24/7 operation.

Skills

FCC rules knowledge

Communication

Telecommunications technology

Data/Records management

Decision making under stress

Education

High school diploma

DCI operator certification or able to certify within 45 days

Basic Telecommunicator Certification within 1 year (or 45 days)

Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

CAD

DCI terminals

Phone systems & consoles

MS Excel / Google Docs / Banner

Job description

Position Title

Temporary Position: Public Safety Telecommunicator

Division

Student Affairs

Department

University Police

Position Summary

The employee(s) hired for this position will serve as part of a temporary pool of reserve Telecommunicators for UNC Asheville. This position performs technical communications work in support of the University’s public safety operations. Work involves receiving emergency and non‑emergency calls, monitoring alarms, obtaining and relaying information, prioritizing calls/alarms and coordinating response procedures, dispatching appropriate public safety personnel, and maintaining public safety communications logs and databases using Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD). The employee operates complex telecommunications equipment, including multi-line phone systems, multi-channel police consoles, two-way radios, scanners, monitoring security cameras and Division of Criminal Information terminals. The role requires knowledge of FCC rules, understanding of public safety operations, and skill in operating telecommunications technology. The position requires the ability to multi‑task, remain calm under stress, work with a diversified community, communicate with irate individuals, make effective decisions in emergency life‑and‑death situations, prioritize calls, identify potential dangers, contribute as a team member, work with students, staff, faculty, visitors, maintaining confidentiality, discretion, willingness to work individually or with others, and adapt to change.

Responsibilities

Receive and triage emergency and non‑emergency calls and alarms. Prioritize and coordinate response procedures and dispatch appropriate public safety personnel. Maintain public safety communications logs and databases utilizing CAD. Operate telecommunications and computer equipment including phone systems, police consoles, radios, scanners, security cameras and DCI terminals. Work shifts that include weekends, holidays, and overtime, performing 12‑hour day or evening shifts as required for a 24‑hour/365‑day operation.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalency, with certification as a Division of Criminal Information (DCI) computer operator or ability to achieve certification within 45 days of employment. Basic Telecommunicator Certification within one year of employment or within 45 days for some positions. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Google Docs, and Banner is preferred. A two‑ or four‑year degree is a plus. Willingness to attend a four‑day Sheriff’s Training Course and pass a certification test.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Technical Knowledge – Ability to understand and follow FCC rules and regulations, apply departmental policies related to answering, response, and dispatch of calls, work independently while reporting to supervisors, use telecommunications and IT, understand state and local public safety organization operations, and maintain certifications.

Communication – Oral – Ability to listen, quickly ascertain nature of call, extract relevant information, interpret and analyze messages, apply judgment, speak clearly, calm distressed callers, transmit radio messages, direct emergency personnel, and coordinate with co‑workers, supervisors, law enforcement, emergency responses, university officials, media, and general public.

Office/Telecommunications Technology – Ability to use all mandatory department equipment (phone systems, radios, consoles, alarms, databases, CAD), apply software functions, enter data accurately, maintain DCI certification.

Data/Information/Records Administration – Record, compile, and summarize data, monitor messages, maintain quality control of logs, assign case numbers, compile incident reports, use input codes, retrieve information from files and DCI terminal.

Decision Making – Analyze messages to determine priorities, recognize critical incidents, coordinate response, initiate action based on information and operating procedures, consistently make sound dispatch decisions.

Work Schedule and Hours

Part‑time: 20–29 hours per week. Shift work including weekends, holidays, and overtime. Must work 12‑hour day or evening shifts as required for a 24‑hour, 365‑day operation.

Salary Information

$20.00 per hour