Telecommunications Operator

Salary: $37,944.00 - $60,690.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 182490
Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice
Division: Safety & Law Enforcement Services
Opening Date: 02/06/2026
Closing Date: 10/2/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Residency Requirement: No
Class Code:: BA30
Position Number:: 60032413, 60031017, 60031053, 60030619, 60031340, 60032412,60030619 (182490)
Normal Work Schedule:: Other
Normal Work Schedule (Other):: Shift rotation.
Pay Grade: GEN06
Hiring Range - Min.: $39,562.00
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: You must apply online at and follow the status of your application online.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.


Job Responsibilities
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of South Carolina's youth, consider joining the dedicated people of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).
MISSION:
It is the mission of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.

JOB PURPOSE:
Under general supervision, performs highly responsible duties to involve responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for the agency, outside law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services; identifies and dispatches public safety units as appropriate; complies with agency policies and procedures to ensure the safety of all PSOs, agency staff and offenders and the public. Operates dispatch functions through a communications network to include radios, computers, camera surveillance, and NCIC 24/7/365.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitors radio channels for distress calls throughout the Department and dispatches public safety resources to assistance calls as needed.
• Provides supplemental video surveillance monitoring throughout the institutions; notifies institutional supervisors of rules violations or irregular activity.
• Notifies appropriate personnel of emergencies or other non-routine incidents in accordance with agency guidelines.
• Maintains accurate log of radio transmissions, handwritten logs of dispatch daily activities and statistical data.
• Conducts scheduled radio checks on the institutions and on-duty patrol officers to ensure juvenile/staff safety.
• Maintains SC CJA/SLED/FBI/NCIC certifications.
• Conducts wanted person checks on juveniles, employees and contingent employees as requested.
• Enters court orders and warrants into NCIC.
• Assists in the recapture of offenders, through NCIC and disseminates notification to appropriate law enforcement agencies.
• Tracks monitoring systems issued to offenders in recapture efforts.
• Enters Transportation Security Administration flight specifications for armed officer travel approval.
• Preregisters sex offenders as court mandated in accordance with SLED/ state guidelines and requirements.
• Other NCIC duties as assigned.
• Provides temporary and/or replacement ID cards to current employees confirming identity and employment status.
• Conducts fingerprints on all new employees and/or contract employees and completes fingerprint cards for SLED background check processing.
• Creates badge profiles, photographs and enters identifying information within the agency badge system.
• Ensures employee information forms are completed on all new employees, and new employees are provided with their Identification cards during new employee hire.
• Deactivates employee ID cards upon exiting the Agency.
• Purges separated employee files while retaining current employee files for record retention.
• Serves as the agency receptionist after hours, weekends and holidays (during normal working hours as needed).
• Demonstrates exceptional customer service in assisting visitors.
• As an essential employee, must be available for on call emergency recall response, if needed.
• Receives incident reports via agency email and the Event Reporting System.
• Reviews reports and determines a categorization of Priority 1 and Priority 2 incidents.
• Enters emailed reports into the ER system in accordance with policy and departmental protocol.
• Disseminates notifications and incident report numbers via email and/or telephone.
• Performs additional related job duties as assigned by the Public Safety Director or a Supervisor.

Minimum and Additional Requirements
STATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
A high school diploma and entry-level work experience with voice communications systems or central switchboard operations. An associate degree in a technical communications discipline may be substituted for the required experience.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The ability to obtain Class IV Telecommunications Operator Certification through SCCJA and retain skills from on-the-job training is essential.
• Requires considerable knowledge of the Federal Communication Commission rules and regulations pertaining to the transmittal of public safety information on a shortwave radio or teletype.
• Knowledge of the procedures and practices associated with the operation of modern communications systems.
• Skill in the operation of complex electronic communications equipment.
• Ability to function effectively during emergencies and periods of heavy communication traffic.

Essential Employee: Must be able to work 12-hr rotating shifts 24/7/365.


This position performs job duties relating to the custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the employee may have direct and indirect contact with youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Training applicable to these duties will be provided.

• Must be able to stand for prolonged periods of time to fingerprint and process agency staff and offenders.
• Must be able to communicate on the radio and phone.
• Must be able to effectively operate a computer and use a variety of databases to locate and share information with requesting agents/agencies.

Preferred Qualifications
PREFERRED AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:
A high school diploma, experience working in a public safety dispatch center, analytical experience, or an acceptable equivalency approved by the Division of State Human Resources.

Must possess or obtain a Class IV Telecommunication Operator certification issued by the Law Enforcement Training Council in accordance with Title 23 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976 within one (1) year of employment.

Additional Comments
The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health, dental, and life insurance
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days of sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• State retirement plans and deferred compensation programs
• Discount Programs such as TicketatWork and WeSave

Applications are incomplete if you fail to answer all supplemental questions, education, and work history. Incomplete applications are not referred to hiring managers. Applications are accepted until 5:00 p.m. on the stated closing date.
You will be asked to provide a certified transcript if selected for a position requiring a degree. A background investigation will be conducted that may include but is not limited to, criminal records, driver's license, and child abuse registry prior to an offer of employment. Additionally, a medical examination and drug testing may be required. Please provide an explanation for any gaps in employment. A resume may be attached to your application but not substituted for completing the work history section of the application.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.


Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.


Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.


Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.


Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01


I understand that the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice is an equal opportunity employer. DJJ does not discriminate in hiring, promotions, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, or other employment aspects based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, or national origin. Any acts you feel are in violation, please get in touch with the Office of Human Resources, 220 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC View phone number on click.appcast.io.

• Yes
• No

02


I understand that the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice's School District also does not discriminate in any programs or activities based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. The following offices have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the school district's nondiscrimination policies: Title IX - Inspector General's Office - 220 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29210-5427 - Ph: View phone number on click.appcast.io; Special Education Office, 220 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC I have read and fully understand DJJ's position concerning the law.

• Yes
• No

03


I understand that SCDJJ will not hire or promote anyone who may have contact with residents and shall not enlist the services of any contractor who may have contact with residents who have engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility juvenile facility, or other institution (as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997); has been convicted of engaging in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.

• Yes
• No

04


I understand that my fingerprint record received from the FBI and SLED must indicate no felony convictions as a condition of employment.

• Yes
• No

05


I certify that I have not been convicted of any criminal offenses that carries a sentence of 1 year or more or any criminal offenses that involves moral turpitude (an act contrary to the accepted rule of right and duty to man and society). Forfeiture of bond, a guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere is considered the equivalent of a conviction.

• Yes
• No

06


Have you or any members of your family ever been a victim of a crime committed by a juvenile who is currently under the supervision of SCDJJ? If yes, type in "Yes" and give your last name of the juvenile, date, and location of trial. If no, please type "No".
07


Do you currently or have you ever worked in or have been professionally associated with a prison, jail, lock, community confinement facility, juvenile facility or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1997?

• Yes
• No

08


If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the institution(s) and your date(s) of employment.
09


Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

10


Are you at least 21 years old?

• Yes
• No

11


Will you now or in the future require sponsorship to work in the U.S.?

• Yes
• No

12


Are you currently employed or have you previously been employed with SCDJJ?

• Yes
• No

13


Are you able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

14


How did you hear about this position?

• SC Government Website (careers.sc.gov)
• Career Fair
• SC Works
• Indeed.com
• DJJ Employee
• Other

15


If you answered "DJJ Employee" to the previous question please list employee's name.
16


If you answered "Other" to the previous question, please tell us how you learned of this position.
17


Do you have a high school diploma and entry-level work experience with voice communications systems or central switchboard operations?

• Yes
• No

18


Do you have an associate's degree in a technical communications discipline?

• Yes
• No

19


I understand that any misrepresentation, omission of facts, or otherwise falsification on this application and attachments will result in disapproval of this application or termination of employment.

• Yes
• No

20


Please provide us with two (2) references. One (1) professional reference and one (1) personal reference (non-family member). Please list name(s), phone number(s), and email address(es).
Required Question