Communications Officer

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Stafford County, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 04040
Department: Sheriff
Division: Emergency Communications
Opening Date: 05/14/2026
Starting Salary: See position description


Job Description
Communications Officer

Communications Officer $24.59/hour or $51,154.90/year (no prior experience as a 911 Dispatcher)
Lateral candidates are eligible for 100% credit for up to 10 years of prior service as a 911 Dispatcher
Evening & Night Shift Differential Pay - $1/$1.5 per hour
Built in Overtime due to rotational shift schedule
Communications Officers work an assigned 12-hour shift (7:00 AM - PM or PM to AM) rotating 3 days on >2 days off >2 days on >3 days off pattern

Required: Please click to view a list of automatic disqualifiers for this position. These must be reviewed and acknowledged as part of the application process.

Under general supervision, receives and prioritizes non-emergency and E911 calls from the public for law enforcement, fire, rescue, and other emergency services. Employee dispatches emergency personnel and public safety officials to emergency situations throughout the County. Employee also receives incoming phone calls to the communications center including emergency and non-emergency calls.


Employee may be assigned to work any of four functional areas within the Emergency Communications Center: VCIN, Call-taking, Sheriff's Office Radio or Fire Radio.

Examples of Duties
• Receives emergency calls for law enforcement, fire, rescue and other assistance; adopts appropriate course of action, in accordance with State and federal laws, local ordinances, policies, procedures, and protocols, as well as within established chain of command.
• Interprets and prioritizes E911 calls for appropriate actions; determines nature of call and type of assistance needed; routes calls for expedient handling.
• Dispatches appropriate Sheriff's department, fire and/or rescue units using E911 radio and telephone systems; provides information on location, type of emergency or any other relevant information; provides geographical information, including subdivision names, cross-streets,
landmarks, etc.; provides pre-arrival instructions by telephone as needed.
• Operates a variety of emergency service communications systems; utilizes two-way radio system in accordance with federal and state laws and guidelines; documents all malfunctions in communication system and related equipment; reports errors in mapping and/or database.
• Communicates with a variety of public safety officials and personnel and medical personnel.
• Monitors and conducts tests of the County's natural warning and alarm systems.
• Maintains records of calls; logs all dispatches, recording time of call and dispatch, dispatch action and disposition of calls or requests.
• Maintains confidentiality of all matters concerning law enforcement, fire, rescue and other public safety and emergency operations.
• Participates in continuous training program to improve communications and skills.
• Verifies warrants and accesses computer to provide information to law enforcement personnel; enters information on stolen property and missing persons in national and state computer; transmits computer responses on all hit confirmations.
• Answers administrative telephone lines Sheriff's Office and Fire/Rescue after hours.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities


General knowledge of the methods of operating communications systems, radio and teletype procedures. General knowledge of the geography of Stafford County and location of important buildings. Skilled in multitasking, decision-making and critical thinking
Skilled in verbal and written communications, active listening/hearing
Skilled in teamwork, conflict resolution, problem solving, and analytical thinking
Ability to type quickly and accurately, speak clearly and distinctly, effectively operate all communications equipment
Ability to remain professional with the public under stressful conditions
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public
Ability to be dependable, flexible, ethical, mature, respectful, empathetic and tolerant

Education and Experience
High School Diploma or equivalent, supplemented by computer keyboard training required
Must be able to type at a minimum speed of 35 wpm

Special Requirements

Must successfully pass a polygraph examination, full background investigation, pre-employment psychological and medical exams including drug and alcohol screening.

Must be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and eligible for naturalization.

This position is designated as essential and must report to work during times when the local government/agencies are closed, is subject to call back and hold over to maintain minimum staffing 24/7.


Must successfully complete Department of Criminal Justice Training and in-house training in all four functional areas within 18 months of employment. Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain Basic
Dispatch, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Emergency Fire Dispatch, NCIC/VCIN, CPR/first aid and National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100 and 700 courses and certificates within one year of
employment.


Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery including various two-way radios and communications equipment; and office machines such as computers, typewriters, calculators, copiers, etc. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force
frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Employee is subject to long periods of visual concentration. Physical requirements of the job are those for Sedentary Work. Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using communications equipment and office equipment. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, communications equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have adequate levels of eye/hand/foot coordination to perform duties. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via two-way radio and telephone.

If you use an auto fill option to complete your application, please be sure to review all sections of your application prior to submitting to ensure your employment history and education information are accurate. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Please for our full-time benefits.

Note: All employees are required to have direct deposit of their bi-weekly paychecks into one or more financial institution(s) of their choice. Information must be presented at time of hire.

Proper Identification must be shown at time of hire in order to complete the necessary paperwork for compliance with the Immigration Control and Reform Act of 1986.
01


I have read and understand the automatic disqualifiers linked in the position description, and attest that the automatic disqualifiers do not apply to me?

• Yes
• No

02


I have read, understand and acknowledge the following reasons may cause me to fail the application process: Dishonesty- omitting or failing to disclose anything on paperwork or verbally will always cause a disqualificationAttention to Detail- not fully completing paperwork or caring about personal appearanceNot Meeting Obligations - arriving late or forgetting appointmentsLack of Soft Skills - Unable to shake hands, make eye contact, or finish a sentence

• Yes
• No

03


Are you a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and eligible for naturalization (VCIN requirement)?

• Yes
• No

04


Have you previously applied with the Stafford County Sheriff's Office?

• Yes
• No

05


I have reviewed the salary details for this position and understand, being a public agency, the salary is non-negotiable?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you have a high school diploma or a high school equivalent diploma (GED)?

• Yes
• No

07


Can you type 35 words per minute?

• Yes
• No

08


Are you willing to work a shift that includes weekends, evenings, nights and holidays?

• Yes
• No

09


Will you be able to report to duty or remain on duty during severe inclement weather or emergency conditions?

• Yes
• No

10


Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor (State Law Requirement)? If yes, please provide a brief description including dates/timeframes.
11


Since the age of 18, have you ever been convicted of a crime to include any traffic offenses? (A conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from employment. Rather such factors as age and date of conviction, seriousness and nature of the crime, and rehabilitation will be considered). If yes, please provide details including dates/timeframes.
12


How did you hear about this position?

• Sheriff's Office Website
• Stafford County Website
• Referral
• Job/Career Fair
• College Career Center
• Advertisement (i.e. Indeed)
• VEC
• Social Media (i.e. Facebook)
• Recruiter
• Family Friend
• Other

13


If you were referred by an employee of the Sheriff's Office or Stafford County please provide the name of that individual:
Required Question