Telecommunicator

Job Title

Johnston County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Description

The Johnston County Communications Department has a full-time 911 Telecommunicator (Dispatcher) position available. The employees receive incoming routine and emergency calls related to the fire departments, law enforcement departments, rescue squads, emergency management, Red Cross, highway patrol, and animal control. Employees dispatch the proper personnel for assistance and maintain contact with units until the incident is resolved. Work also involves assisting the public with directions and general information. Work is performed in accordance with departmental policy and state and federal law, supplemented with specific directions from sworn personnel. Work is often performed under stressful emergency conditions. The employee must be alert and possess the ability to make split second critical decisions regarding citizens lives and property. The employees are subject to inside environmental conditions. Work is evaluated through observation, discussion and review of reports by the Telecommunications Supervisor through feedback from officers and emergency management personnel. Preferred applicant is highly experienced and trained with DCI, EMD, EFD and/or EPD certifications. Certifications will be reviewed. Preference will be given to applicants who have prior 911 Telecommunication experience. Starting rate for this position is $55,244.80/$26.56 with additional compensation based on relevant experience.

• 2hrs/wk of Built-In Overtime (when released from Training Academy)
• 12 Paid County Holidays
• Potential Earnings w/No Experience: $63,486.37
• Monthly Accrual of Sick & Vacation Time

Duties and Responsibilities

• Position is responsible for answering 911 emergency phone and administrative phone lines, dispatching law enforcement, fire and EMS to emergency and non-emergency situations by two-way radio.
• Receives routine and emergency telephone calls and personal request for assistance concerning crimes, fire, animal control, home health, or general information concerning addresses and nature of problems.
• Operates equipment to maintain contact with law enforcement personnel and other law enforcement units; dispatches deputies to answer requests for assistance; receives and transmits information and messages.
• Operates equipment to maintain contact with various personnel in dispatching fire departments, rescue squads, police departments, social services, juvenile officers, wrecker services, Red Cross, highway patrol, and emergency management personnel.
• Operates Division of Criminal Information (DCI) terminal to send and receive messages regarding criminal histories, vehicle identification, NCIC hot files, missing persons, license plate records, driver histories, and query system for pawn shop transactions, and related work.
• Maintains an in-house computer database and communications logs and reports including the nature of calls, actions taken and the times involved; and generates reports for recovered or stolen property, missing persons, and residence checks.

Additional Duties

• Provides information to the public in person and over the telephone concerning a variety of County services.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Successful candidate must possess good computer skills, ability to multitask and work under pressure.
• Ability to work a rotating 12 hour shift.
• Prior 911 dispatch experience and certifications highly preferred.
• Considerable knowledge of the operation of a law enforcement and emergency communications system and related Federal Communications Commission regulations.
• Considerable knowledge of the geographic layout of the County, and the locations of streets, important buildings, and other landmarks.
• Working knowledge of the functions, practices and procedures of the Sheriff's Department.
• Working knowledge of various emergency situations in order to provide standing order advice to victims.
• Ability to accurately receive and transmit radio communications.
• Ability to assess people and situations, to apply sound judgment, to remain calm under stressful conditions and to elicit sufficient and essential information for dispatching and assisting field personnel.
• Ability to type.
• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Desired Education and Experience

• Graduation from high school and some related communications, dispatching or reception work experience preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Candidates must possess or obtain certification in emergency medical, emergency fire and emergency police dispatch.
• Please list all applicable experience on application.

Special Requirements

• Certification or ability to obtain, within 12 months, the Certified Telecommunicator certification required by the North Carolina Department of Justice.
• Certification or ability to obtain certification by the State of North Carolina as a DCI operator.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, talking, hearing, and perform repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and 10pounds of force frequently.
• Must possess the visual acuity to perform extensive reading and computer terminal work.
• Must possess the auditory ability to quickly and accurately receive and process auditory information in an environment that includes various background noises such as telephone ringing, multiple frequency radio traffic, and general conversation.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with the job. Other duties may be assigned.

Important Pre-Employment Information:

• If the position requires a degree, official transcripts must be submitted within 30 days of hire.
• A pre-employment reference check will be conducted.
• A background check may be required and may include criminal history, motor vehicle records, sex offender registry checks, pre-employment drug screening, SBI fingerprinting, and, if applicable, a National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) check.
• A conviction record does not automatically disqualify you from employment, unless otherwise required by state law. Each situation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits

Johnston County provides a comprehensive, affordable insurance and benefits program.

Employees are offered a diverse selection of benefits including medical (no-cost for the employee plan), dental, life, and supplemental benefit coverages. Employees can also take advantage of our on-site wellness clinic and virtual telehealth program, both at no-cost!

Additional benefits include participation in the NC Retirement System, a 401(k) match option, generous paid leave and holiday schedule, tuition reimbursement, and more! To learn more, visit

*This description applies to benefits eligible positions.