Emergency Communications Specialist I

JOB SUMMARY

Candidates who are hired as 911 Emergency Communications Specialists and achieve the 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator state certification will be given a $2,000 Signing Allowance. Emergency Communications Specialists respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service, using a computer aided dispatch terminal for entering call data. They must train and certify in at least two positions: Call Taker, Radio Dispatcher, and Teletype Operator. Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• Accredited high school or GED diploma
• Must be a U.S. citizen or possess a current permanent resident card
• Must not have been convicted of a felony.
• No illegal drug usage over the past two years. Other drug usage will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
• Must not have received a dishonorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces.
• One (1) to two (2) years of college, military, or related experience and/or training preferred. 
• Knowledge of Orange County geography helpful
• Must be able to work various shifts with rotating days off, as well as weekends and holidays
• Must be able to speak and understand English
• Must successfully complete a job related "CritiCall" test
• Must be computer literate
• Must have good typing skills (approximately 30wpm)
• Applicants with body ornamentation (tattoos) shall not have any visible body ornamentation on the head, face, and neck area, which includes the visible skin while wearing a collared uniform shirt with an unbuttoned top button.  Employees shall not have any visible body ornamentation located on the hands which is defined as the area from wrist to fingertips; however, a tattoo simulating a wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand will not be considered excessive as described herein.  Applicants are encouraged to read the agency body ornamentation policy (Download PDF reader)before applying.

Hiring Salary

** Minimum salary - $15.38 hour or $31,990 annually. ** Shift differential pay provided once training is completed, for working evenings and midnights. ** Candidates who are hired as 911 Telecommunicators and achieve the 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator state certification will be given a $2,000 Signing Allowance. **

PROCESSING & TRAINING

Processing

• CritiCall testing:  This is a computerized technical test that measures the following skills and abilities: typing speed, data entry, memory recall, map reading, spelling, multitasking and reading comprehension.  We recommend you practice typing to prepare, including using the number pad.  There are several free practice tests offered online that are similar to what you will be taking.
• Job Shadow
• Panel Interview
• Voice Stress Analysis (truth verification)
• Complete Background Investigation
• Medical exam & drug screen (after conditional job offer)
• Psychological evaluation (after conditional offer)

Training

Candidates hired as Emergency Communications Specialists receive some of the best training in the industry.  Upon employment, new hires attend six weeks of classroom training at the Communications Center.    After successful completion of the academy phase, candidates are prepared to take their state certification test and move on to the hands-on phase of their training.  This phase consists of 480 hours of hands-on training, working directly with a Communications Training Officer.  After successful completion of training, candidates are placed on a shift (typically nights) and begin their work as a Emergency Communications Specialist I - the direct connection between our citizens and deputies. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and work on the computer for long periods of time, talk, hear, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, use repetitive motion, and utilize coordination and dexterity abilities. The employee must have bilateral hearing.  For instance, the employee must have the ability to hear with both ears while wearing a headset on one ear and also listening to coworkers/trainers/supervisors with the other ear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and peripheral vision.
 
WORK ENVIRONMENT 
Work is performed in an open setting environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Depending on assignment the employee may be required to work holiday, evening, midnight, and/or weekend shifts. Shift times may vary.