Emergency Communications Officer Trainee (911 Operator)

Salary: $21.70 - $30.38 Hourly
Location : Dade City & New Port Richey, FL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 11896-0324
Department: Public Safety Communications
Opening Date: 03/08/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Range: Hourly Range: $21.70 - $30.38
Pay Grade: Pay Grade: N35 (Non-exempt position)
Salary Disclosure: Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity.


General Description
JOIN OUR TEAM AS AN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION OFFICER TRAINEE (911 OPERATOR)
Under close supervision, trainees will learn to answer non-emergency and 911 emergency requests to assist public and staff with emergency and non-emergency public safety assistance. Perform communications work involving the processing of Enhanced 9-1-1 calls (wireless and ten digit) and dispatching of fire, emergency medical services (EMS), and law enforcement agencies. Accurate and rapid processing of routine and emergency calls, which requires following prescribed standard operating procedures. Transferring callers to other emergency response agencies such as law enforcement following prescribed procedures. Duties require the ability to quickly determine the nature of the emergency from information provided by emergency personnel or the public and initiate appropriate action. May be assigned to a shift other than the one that training was received on when released and will likely be assigned to night shift at first. Applicants must be available to work any shift, holidays, weekends, and overtime as required.


*Please provide a list of your employment history for the past ten (10) years.

Essential Job Functions


Receives telephone calls from citizens or emergency personnel requesting assistance or information; screen the calls, and initiate appropriate action per established protocols. Offer pre-arrival medical and fire instructions via telephone per established protocols. Work is performed in a fast paced, high call volume, call center environment. Operates communications and associated peripheral equipment to dispatch assistance units, and enter call records into computer aided dispatch system (CAD). Maintains required files, records, and accurate communication logs of pertinent transmissions of incoming and outgoing calls. Takes complaints, reports issues to on-duty supervisor and document as required. Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of radio communications rules and regulations governing radio transmission.
• Knowledge of basic radio receiving and transmitting operations, equipment and proper radio-telephone procedures.
• Knowledge of Pasco County geography; adjoining counties, and roadway networks, major intersections, location of important attractions, buildings, industries, and subdivisions.
• Knowledge of basic medical, fire and law terminology.
• Ability to react calmly, quickly, and promptly handle emergency situations and interact with excited persons in a calm, guiding manner to secure essential information pertaining to emergency situations.
• Must be able to speak in a clear, well-modulated voice and deal with public in a firm, courteous, tactful, and impartial manner.
• Ability to maintain clear, accurate, and detailed accounts of operations.
• Must possess multitasking skills, initiative, and a desire to help others, and be able to function as a team member.
• Ability to make sound decisions during stressful situations.
• Ability to learn to operate radio and telephone transmitting and receiving equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to listen and understand.
• Ability to operate a computer and utilize the related software programs.
• Ability to follow established protocols and follow the chain of command.
• Ability to maintain flexibility and adaptability when performing tasks and duties in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to handle Multi-line telephone equipment; computerized customer service; flexibility, split ear and multi-tasking, active listening, decision making, and critical thinking experience is preferred.

Minimum Requirements

PHYSICAL SKILLS: Ability to sit at a console for extended periods of time. Ability to communicate effectively using verbal, written and visual communication. Must be able to operate a keyboard to enter data into a computer. Must be capable of reaching all communications control panels and reference materials in communications center. Good vision without color blindness, and excellent hearing skills required.


EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma. One (1) year of experience working in a fast paced, high call volume commercial or government public safety dispatching/call-taking facility is preferred.

Applicant must be at least 18 years of age.

Applicants will be required to pass the Critical pre-employment testing, drug screening, polygraph, psychological evaluation and background check.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid Florida driver's license.


Must obtain the following within three (3) months of date of hire:

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD).
• Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD).
• Emergency Police Dispatcher (EPD).
• State of Florida Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification.
• Current FCIC/NCIC certifications.

After successful completion of our training program, employees will advance to an Emergency Communications Officer I and receive a pay increase.


Applicants must be able to meet the requirements, and progress to Emergency Communications Officer I within 6 (six) months of being hired.


SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Required to work flexible schedules, which will include evenings, weekends, holidays, standby and mandatory overtime.

The department has a strict non-drug usage policy. In order to be eligible you cannot have used, tried, possessed or experimented with marijuana in the last 12 months. You must not have used, tried, possessed or experimented with any illegal drug/controlled substance, other than marijuana, in the past five years. You must not have sold or delivered any illegal drug/controlled substance at any time.


CRIMINAL HISTORY: An applicant who pleads guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to, or is found guilty of any felony or guilty of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, is NOT eligible for employment even if the sentence was suspended or adjudication was withheld by the judge.


ADA STATEMENT: A qualified employee or applicant with a disability may be afforded a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions of a position in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.


DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida law, requiring pre-employment drug/alcohol testing.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES: All trainees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.


VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter 55A-7, Pasco County BCC provides to Veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.
PASCO COUNTY WAS VOTED ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP WORKPLACES FOR 2021
Benefits include:

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) retirement plan
• PTO (Paid Time Off)
• Paid holidays
• Group insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Deferred compensation
• Medical leave pool
• Annual medical leave buy-back
• Mid-management/Professional grade, and management personnel may receive 40 hours of admin leave per calendar year.

Effective July 1, 2011, FRS members must contribute 3% of their salary as retirement contributions, on a pre-tax basis (the salary is reduced by the amount of the employee contribution before determining the federal income tax deduction). The employer will automatically deduct the employee contributions.
01


I am aware that the following supplemental questions will determine my eligibility for this position.

• Acknowledge
• Decline

02


Are you at least 18 years old?

• Yes
• No

03


Are you a current Pasco County BOCC employee?

• Yes
• No

04


Which best describes your highest level of COMPLETED education?

• High School or GED
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate
• None of the above

05


Which best describes the years of experience you have in a fast paced, high call volume commercial or government public safety dispatching/call-taking facility?

• Ten or more years of experience
• Nine years but less than ten
• Eight years but less than nine
• Seven years but less than eight
• Six years but less than seven
• Five years but less than six
• Four years but less than five
• Three years but less than four
• Two years but less than three
• One year but less than two
• Less than one year of experience

06


Are you able to work a flexible schedule which will include evenings, weekends, holidays, standby and mandatory overtime?

• No
• Yes

07


Do you possess a valid Florida driver's license or able to obtain it within 30 days from date of hire?

• Yes
• No

08


Are you a veteran who served as a member of the armed forces of the United States during a period of war, defined in Title 38, U.S.C., and who was separated from such service under honorable conditions, or the surviving spouse of any such veteran?(Supporting documentation needed at time of application or next business day)

• Yes
• No

09


Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?Note: If hired, a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, must be completed at the start of employment.

• Yes
• No

10


I hereby acknowledge that Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida law, and consent to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing, and agree to abide by the program and policy if employed by Pasco County BOCC.

• Acknowledged
• Declined

11


Have you recently retired from the Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan or Investment Plan within the last 12 months?

• Yes
• No

12


Please specifically explain how your prior work experience and education match the qualifications for this position. (1000 characters or less)
13


How did you hear about this position?

• Billboard
• Friend/Family Referral
• Indeed
• Instagram
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Magazine publication
• Nextdoor
• Pasco County employee
• Pasco County Traffic Sign
• Utility bill insert
• Pasco County Website/GovernmentJobs.com
• X/Twitter
• YouTube
• Other

14


If a Pasco County employee referred you, please provide the name of the employee.
Required Question