Communications Officer

Salary: $46,577.00 Annually
Location : City of Colonial Heights, VA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 30-26
Department: Fire & EMS
Opening Date: 05/20/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Description
All applications received during the recruitment period will

be forwarded to the hiring department for review and consideration

* * Open until filled. * *

** A required written test will take place by invitation the week of June 15 - 19 and June 22 - 26 **
Communications Officer:
Annual Salary: $46,577 (Prior experience may be considered for final candidates).
The City of Colonial Heights is currently recruiting for highly responsible, technical, dispatching position in the Emergency Communications Center of the Fire & EMS Department. Must be available to work 12-hour shifts, including days, nights, weekends, holidays, on-call, and required overtime. Must successfully complete all state mandated certification classes within allotted time. Applicants with DCJS Basic Dispatch and VCIN/NCIC Level A certifications with experience in computer-aided dispatch system and enhanced 911 is desirable.


Qualified applicants must be able to make quick, independent decisions, to handle simultaneous tasks under pressure, to learn the geography and street systems of the City of Colonial Heights and neighboring jurisdictions, to speak distinctly on the telephone and radio and be able to accurately enter orally supplied information into a computer are important in this job.
Examples of Duties

• Serves as primary point of contact for reporting all 9-1-1 emergencies along with all non-emergency calls in the City of Colonial Heights.
• Represents the City and Department in a professional manner and with a high level of customer service.
• Provides information or directions to callers, police, fire & rescue/EMS and other public safety agencies, adhering to CHECC, Police, Sheriff, Fire & Rescue department policies and procedures governing the dissemination of information.
• Operates a sophisticated work station comprised of multiple computer systems including 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency telephone system, geographical mapping tools (GIS and aerial photography), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), and other repositories of critical information, etc. to answer, triage and process incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for service from the general public or other public safety agencies for the protection of life and property.
• During a life-threatening emergency, establishes communications with the caller, provide safety/life-saving instructions, and maintains control of the conversation until units arrive on the scene.
• Interacts with callers who may be injured, distressed, distraught and/or emotional, and also public safety field personnel on the telephone and radio to accurately communicate information and instructions in all situations.
• Gathers, classifies, and supplements pertinent information obtained from the caller and enters it into the CAD system, consistent with appropriate protocols.
• Establishes communications with hearing impaired callers through the TTY application of the telephone system.
• Enter and update information in statewide and national databases and review for completeness and accuracy.
• Performs clerical duties; and other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience
Applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent with at least 3 years of experience.
• Be a US citizen.
• Have no felony convictions.
• Type 50 wpm.
• Be able to speak clearly.
• Have the ability to hear and make quick decisions while working in highly stressful situations.
• Must possess or obtain VCIN/NCIC Level A certification and maintain certification throughout employment.
• Must possess or obtain Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and CPR/AED certifications, and maintain certifications throughout employment.
• Successfully pass all phases of our Communications Officer selection process, which will include a written test, panel interview, background investigation, proof of typing speed, medical and drug screening.
• Must be available to work 12-hour shifts, which includes any combination of days, nights, weekends, holidays, on-call, and required overtime.

Physical Demands & Work Environment
The work is generally performed in an office environment. Typically, the employee may sit to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, stooping, carrying of light items such as papers, books, or small parts, or driving an automobile. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions. Use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals are minimally required.
Full-Time Employee Benefits:

Health Insurance -

• The Local Choice Program (Anthem, Delta Dental, and Blue Vision).
• Health, Dental, and Vision benefits are included as a package under our health insurance program and cannot be purchased as separate coverage items.
• Health insurance benefits start on the 1st of the month following the hire date.
• Benefit Summaries

Retirement -


Supplemental Retirement -

• We offer supplemental Retirement plans through Mission Square Retirement.
• Employees can enroll in the following plans at any time during their employment.

Paid Holiday Leave

• The city observes 14 holidays throughout the year (except certain departments if scheduling does not permit).

Paid Vacation Leave

Years of Service

Day(s) Earned

Per Month

Max. Annual

Accrual Days

Max. Days for

Carry Forward

0 - 5 Years

1

12

24

Over 5 Years

1¼

15

30

Over 10 Years

1½

18

36

Over 20 Years

1¾

21

42

Paid Sick Leave

• All full-time employees earn (1¼) days of paid sick leave for each calendar month of employment and is accumulated without limit.

Compensatory Leave

• Non-Exempt employees may accumulate compensatory leave only for overtime worked which is authorized prior to the performance of such work. Compensatory leave may be accumulated at the rate of 1 1/2 times the regular rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 during a work week. Compensatory leave for nonexempt employees is voluntary but in no instance may exceed 120 hours of accumulated leave. All hours in excess of 120 hours will be compensated on the same basis as approved overtime.

Voluntary Benefits -

• Employees have 30 days from their hire date to enroll in the following benefits. If an employee does not enroll, they cannot enroll until the next Open Enrollment.

Colonial Life Products

Pre-Tax:

Post Tax:

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Critical Illness

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Disability

Cancer

Term Life

Accident

Whole Life

Medical Bridge

Student Loan Forgiveness Program

* Note: Employees can only enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA) during Open Enrollment in May of each year. *

Other Benefits

• Bi-weekly payday
• Virginia Credit Union membership
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• City Sick Leave Bank Program (VRS Plan 1 and Plan 2 Members only)
• VRS Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (VRS Hybrid Members only)
• Education/tuition discounts through Liberty University

For additional information or more details about employee benefits please call the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io.
01


Do you have experience in Public Safety (Police, Fire, Sheriff, Corrections)?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have 911 emergency dispatch experience?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have 911 Basic Dispatch Training?If yes, please upload a copy of your certificate to your application.

• Yes
• No

04


Are you currently Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN)Full Access certified?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have a current Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or higher certification? If yes, please upload a copy of your certification to your application.

• Yes
• No

06


Applicants must be willing to work twelve (12) hour shifts and work mandatory overtime shifts when necessary. Shift schedule will include evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

07


Are you willing to work a permanent night shift? A permanent night shift consists of approximately 13-16 work nights per month.

• Yes
• No

08


If hired, I am willing and able to work any shift I may be assigned on any day of the week, including holidays and weekends. I also understand that I will be an essential employee and MUST report to work on time regardless of weather or other circumstances.

• Yes
• No

09


This position requires on-call rotation during scheduled off days. Will you be able to arrive to the Emergency Communications Center within one hour of notice?

• Yes
• No

10


Are you willing to undergo a comprehensive background investigation (including contacts with all references, employers, co-workers, close personal associates) and successfully pass pre-employment medical and drug screenings?

• Yes
• No

11


Which best describes your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree/Advanced Degree

12


What is your current typing speed (WPM)?
13


Are you able to communicate in a foreign language?

• Yes
• No

14


If yes, explain your level of fluency and frequency of use. If you cannot converse in a foreign language, type N/A as your response.
15


Please briefly describe your skills/abilities that would be beneficial as a Communications Officer/Dispatcher?
16


I understand I must successfully pass all phases of the Communications Officer selection process, which will include a written test, panel interview, background investigation, proof of typing speed, medical and drug screening.

• Yes
• No

17


I understand the starting salary for the Communications Officer position is $46,577.

• Yes
• No

Required Question