Communications Officer I

Communications Officer I# Communications Officer I## OverviewSalary Range$23.69 - $41.54Position TypeFull TimeJob ShiftAnyEducation LevelHigh School/GEDCategoryTelecommunications## Description# **Applications will be reviewed as they are received beginning November 09, 2026.***Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we intend to fill the position promptly.***Our next Communications Officer Academy is scheduled to begin January 4, 2027.****Who We Are**Salt Lake Valley Emergency Communications Center (SLVECC) is Utah’s largest emergency communications center, providing 9-1-1 call-taking and police, fire, and medical dispatch services to communities throughout the Salt Lake Valley. Our employees serve as the critical connection between the public and first responders, gathering essential information, coordinating emergency resources, and helping ensure the right assistance reaches people when every second counts. Through skill, compassion, and teamwork, we protect lives, support first responders, and strengthen public safety across the communities we serve.**Why Join Us?**At SLVECC, you’ll be part of a dedicated team that serves as a vital connection between our community and emergency responders. Every call matters, and your work will help ensure people receive the assistance they need when seconds count.Through comprehensive training and hands on experience, you will develop advanced skills in communication, active listening, critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making under pressure. These valuable, lifelong skills will strengthen your confidence and prepare you to communicate and lead effectively in emergency situations and throughout your professional career and personal life.We also offer a defined career progression designed to help you expand your expertise, take on greater responsibilities, and advance into leadership roles. Whether you continue growing your career at SLVECC or apply these skills to future opportunities, you will be prepared to lead with confidence and make a meaningful difference wherever your path takes you.**Position Summary:**The Communications Officer I is an entry-level 911 call-taking position. Responsibilities include answering, evaluating, prioritizing, documenting, and routing emergency and non-emergency calls, and relaying critical information to police, fire, and EMS dispatchers and responders. The position uses telephone, radio, Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), and related systems while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and professionalism in a continuous 24-hour operation.**Salt Lake Valley Emergency Communications Center (SLVECC) offers qualifying employees a generous benefits package:**Building a career at SLVECC means becoming an essential part of the 9-1-1 system that serves and protects our community. The work our team performs makes a meaningful difference every day, and we are equally committed to supporting the people behind every call. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health, financial well being, professional development, and life beyond the communications center. By investing in our employees, we strengthen the dedicated team our community relies on when every second matters. Here’s what you can expect:* Competitive starting salary with step increases and cost-of-living adjustments as approved by the Board.* Overtime opportunities for extra earning potential.* Employer supported retirement benefits through Utah Retirement Systems (URS).* Comprehensive health insurance at affordable rates for employees and their families.* Employer paid dental insurance for employees & their families.* Employer paid vision insurance for employees & their families.* Employer paid life and AD&D insurance for employees & their families.* Short-Term & Long-Term Disability insurance.* Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including wellness support for employees and their families.* Health Savings Account (HSA) options.* Voluntary supplemental health benefits, including: + Accident insurance. + Hospital indemnity insurance. + Critical illness insurance. + Voluntary pet insurance at group rates. + Voluntary identity protection services at group rates.* Generous paid leave time, including paid sick leave.* Paid training & certification programs along with professional development opportunities.* Staff perks, including access to an onsite gym and food market, fun team events, employee recognition programs, and awards for top performers!*Please note that benefits are subject to plan terms, eligibility requirements, Board approval, and applicable SLVECC policies.***Essential Duties and Responsibilities:*** Receive and process emergency and non-emergency requests for police, fire, medical, and other public safety services.* Interview callers quickly, thoroughly, and accurately to determine the authenticity, nature, identity, and location of each incident and enter relevant information into the CAD system.* Evaluate information provided by callers to determine the appropriate response priority in accordance with established protocols.* Communicate calmly and professionally with callers experiencing stressful or emotionally intense situations. Use effective communication and de-escalation techniques, provide approved instructions, and connect callers with the appropriate assistance.* Accurately document incident information, response activity, timelines, and services provided.* Relay timely and accurate information to appropriate public safety agencies and authorized personnel.* Mentor and support Non-Emergency Call Takers as assigned.* Maintain reliable and punctual attendance for assigned shifts to support continuous emergency communications operations.* This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties; other related responsibilities may be assigned as operationally necessary.**Training & Compensation*** Classroom Training: $18.00/hour (6 weeks)* On-the-Job Training (OJT): $20.00/hour (8 weeks)* Completion of Training: $23.69 upon successful completion of training and release to independent duty, pay increases to the position’s full hourly base rate.## Qualifications# **Minimum Qualifications:*** At least 18 years old at the time of employment.* High School diploma, GED or recognized equivalent.* Ability to remain calm, focused, and professional while processing time sensitive information in high-pressure situations.* Ability to speak, read, write, interpret, and accurately document information in English at the level necessary to perform the position’s essential functions.* Ability to type at least 40 words per minute with the accuracy necessary to perform the position’s essential functions.* Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime or backup shifts as required, consistent with policy and applicable law.* Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with coworkers, public safety partners, vendors, and members of the public from diverse backgrounds.* Effective time management, organizational, problem solving, and decision making skills to consistently prioritize multiple simultaneous demands.* Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.* Ability to learn and effectively use CAD systems, public safety communications equipment, Microsoft Office applications, and other job-related technology.* Ability to successfully complete a job-related critical-thinking assessment.* Ability to satisfy all applicable pre-employment and continuing employment requirements, including fingerprinting, a criminal background investigation, and drug screening.**Required Certifications and Training:**Employees must obtain and maintain the following certifications and training applicable to their assignment within the timeframes established by law, certifying authorities and SLVECC policy. Requirements may include:* Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) access authorization and required FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security certification or training within three months of the date of hire.* APCO Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) call-taking certification within the timeframe established by SLVECC.* 40-hour Communications Training certification within one year of date of hire, unless exemption is issued by the Executive Director.* National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses, including IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-703 and IS-800, within the timeframe established by SLVECC.* At least 30 hours of annual continuing education and mandated training, including the minimum hours required to maintain applicable Utah dispatcher certification.* SLVECC call-taking training and required functional sign offs.* CPR certification.**Preferred Qualifications:*** Previous public safety, emergency communications, healthcare, high volume customer service or call center experience.* Experience gathering detailed information, documenting accurately or assisting people during stressful situations.* Spanish language proficiency.**Compensation Opportunities:*** Occasional optional overtime opportunities may be available.* Potential opportunities for compensation growth based on performance and organizational adjustments.* SLVECC Language Translation Program stipend.* Communications Training Officer stipend when assigned to train Call Taking personnel and all required CTO certifications are maintained.**Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:*** Work is performed in a 24/7 emergency communications center involving high-stress, traumatic, and potentially life-threatening situations.* Employees must consistently demonstrate emotional resilience, sound judgment, sustained concentration, and the ability to perform essential duties under pressure.* Requires prolonged exposure to multiple computer screens, headset communications, artificial lighting, and continuous auditory and visual stimuli.* Employees must maintain the ability to monitor multiple systems, process information accurately, and respond promptly to emergency communications throughout assigned shifts.* Continuous emergency call-taking, dispatch coverage, and operational readiness are essential functions of the position, requiring employees to remain attentive, responsive, and capable of performing assigned duties during scheduled working periods.* Requires extended periods of sitting, intermittent standing and walking, and occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.* Regular, reliable, and predictable in-person attendance is an essential function of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, subject to applicable leave and disability laws.**Selection and Conditions of Employment:**The selection process may include credential review, job related assessments, interviews, reference verification, fingerprinting, a background investigation, and drug screening. Any conditional offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of all applicable pre-employment requirements. The Salt Lake Valley Emergency Communications Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.### **Start your career. Serve your community. Make an impact.**Start a career where your work matters every day. At SLVECC, you’ll develop the skills to support first responders, serve people across the Salt Lake Valley, and grow in a career serving your community. #J-18808-Ljbffr Salt Lake Valley Emergency Communications Center