Public Safety Telecommunicator - PRN

This job posting expires at 11:59PM on July 12, 2026. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on July 12, 2026. Job Title: Public Safety Telecommunicator - PRN Department: Public Safety Communications External Hiring Range: $21.04 - $24.94 Posted Internally and Externally Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Buncombe County Public Safety Communications Center is looking for team members who are ready and willing to grow with us. If you've been a Telecommunicator before, we'd love to have you join our team! Buncombe County Public Safety Communications is hiring PRN Telecommunicators. This is an as-needed position filled by an individual whose duties and responsibilities are required on an annually-recurring, seasonal, or on-call basis. PRN workers are eligible for cost-of-living adjustments. PRN workers must work at least one shift in each calendar year to remain an active employee but cannot work more than 900 hours per year. A PRN worker is not eligible for severance pay upon separation, paid holidays, sick leave, or any other employee-specified benefit per Buncombe County’s Benefits and Leave Policies. Purpose of the position: The purpose of this position is responsible and timely operation of communication equipment to receive and transmit emergency calls for the Buncombe County Emergency Services Department. Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): High school diploma or GED, and a minimum of one (1) year of experience as a Public Safety call taker, dispatcher or telecommunicator; or a current Buncombe County Call Taker that has completed all the trainings under that classification. Essential Functions of the position: Receiving emergency and non-emergency calls from the public through the emergency telephone system Obtaining pertinent information from callers to determine the nature and location of the emergency Prioritizing and dispatching calls for service for all three emergency service disciplines (fire, police, and medical) Handling radio requests from emergency response units Maintaining location and status information of emergency response units Maintaining accurate and timely records Providing information or referral options to the public as requested Perform other related duties as assigned. Additional Training and Experience: Within eighteen (18) months of hire the incumbent must complete two Telecommunicator Tracks. License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: Telecommunicator Certification Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of rules, regulations, and procedures, including safety procedures, such as CPR and first aid. Knowledge of telecommunications systems, which may include transmission, broadcasting, and switching systems, and computerized databases, including teletype operations and procedures. Knowledge of basic dispatch codes, as well as standard abbreviations and industry terminology commonly used by emergency medical services and law enforcement agencies. Knowledge of the geographical layout of the County as to location of streets, important buildings, and other landmarks. Ability to use logic and reasoning to reach conclusions and approaches to problems. Ability to use judgment and decision-making skills to evaluate situations, establish priorities, and resolve matters. Ability to work in stressful situations. Ability to actively listen and communicate effectively through clear speech and hearing. Ability to establish priorities and pass on information as needed. Ability to elicit information necessary for proper dispatching from persons who may be distressed. Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations. Ability to speak clearly, distinctly, and professionally. Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public. Ability to maintain files, records, and reports. Organization Conformance Standards for all positions: Interact with other employees, customers, and partners in an effective manner, with professionalism and cultural competency; work effectively and efficiently as a team contributor including interacting and communicating clearly and effectively both orally and in writing. Maintain knowledge of the agency organizational rules, policies, procedures, services, and mission. Plan, prioritize, and organize work effectively to produce quality work with measurable results and within identified deadlines; Function in highly stressful circumstances and demonstrate the ability to adapt to changing priorities, deadlines, and directions; ability to maintain calm demeanor while dealing with stressful situations and customers. Demonstrate the County’s core values through performance and conduct. This expectation extends beyond the workplace and County systems to include off-site, and off-duty conduct that undermines an employee’s creditability as a representative of the County; Conduct business in an ethical manner at all times while maintaining a high level of professionalism and confidentiality. Coordinate work efforts with other employees and organizations to accomplish a common task; responsible for managing matters affecting employment and completing personnel-related activities timely and according to County policy. Safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with ADAAA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards. Maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with ADAAA, FMLA and other federal state and local standards. Ability to successfully pass a drug screening, criminal background check, and pre-employment psychological evaluation. Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective. It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination. Employees in positions that are approved for remote work must reside within a 2-hour drive from the position's assigned Buncombe County facility. Select a job and click the blue Apply button to complete your application. Please attach a resume and cover letter if possible. Then, submit your application by the Job Posting End Date to be considered. Our hiring managers begin reviewing applications after the Job Posting End Date and will contact applicants soon after. Thank you for your patience as we give each application the time and attention that it deserves. We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that is representative of our diverse community. If you have equivalent experience and/or education we encourage you to apply.