Emergency Radio Coordinator (Communications Coordinator II)

Emergency Radio Coordinator (Communications Coordinator II)

Salary information: Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

This recruitment is open to the public and is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Emergency Radio Coordinator (Communications Coordinator II) vacancies within the Sheriff-Coroner Department. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until the needs of the department are met and may close on any day at 11:59 p.m. (PST).

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is among the largest in the nation, providing exemplary law enforcement services focused on a collaborative, dedicated and innovative approach to public safety.

The more than 3,800 sworn and professional staff, along with more than 800 reserve personnel, are committed to serving the needs of Orange County by embodying the Sheriff's Department core values:

• Integrity without Compromise
• Service Before Self
• Professionalism in the Performance of Duty
• Vigilance in Safeguarding our Community

The Department consists of six organizational Commands comprised of 23 Divisions. Together, these Commands and Divisions provide services including land, air and sea-based patrol, custody operations, investigative services, emergency management, coroner services, forensics and specialty operations, among an extensive list of other public safety services.

Control One is an integral part of the Emergency Communications Bureau and is the only county-wide interoperable communications center in California. In fact, Control One is the central point of contact for mutual aid and interoperable communications between all law enforcement, fire, public works, and lifeguard agencies in addition to state and federal agencies in Orange County using dedicated radio, landline, microwave, and satellite communications systems. Personnel are responsible for providing criminal justice database information, warrants, family court orders, weapon registration, and driver's license checks for all law enforcement agencies via the Purple radio channel.

The Paramedic Desk (OCC) utilizes radio and the ReddiNet/HEAR system to determine hospital availability for mass casualty incidents and day-to-day patient intake for fire and EMS (Emergency Medical Services) partners.

Red Channel is responsible for coordinating emergency county-wide radio traffic and broadcasts is a unique radio channel exclusive to all Orange County law enforcement agencies.

Control One is the central point-of-contact off alert notifications for Orange County.

Under general supervision, Emergency Radio Coordinator (Communications Coordinators II) operate various radio communications consoles at the 24-hour Sheriff's Communication Center; and do other work as required. Incumbents coordinate radio communications for public safety activities in Orange County via the 800mHz Countywide Communications System (CCCS). This includes communications involving the field activities of city police, communications between paramedic teams and hospitals, and other general County government activities. Law Enforcement communications and paramedic communications are coordinated at different radio consoles. This assignment, therefore, involves a greater degree of independence and requires special training and certification. This assignment is rotated.

Example of duties: Incumbents will use the OCATS system to connect to the statewide CLETS and nationwide NLETS and NCIC computerized databases to run vehicles, subjects, and property. Such information may include:

• Driver license records
• Warrant checks
• Stolen property
• Firearms

The Emergency Radio Coordinator (Communications Coordinator II) will monitor and coordinate over various mutual aid radio channels. Such channels include:

• Purple Talk group
• Red (Emergency) Talk group
• CALAW8
• TAN Call Talk group
• Other public works, law enforcement, fire, and hospital channels considering location and other factors.

General knowledge of:

• The cities, freeways, highways, main streets, major buildings, and geography of Orange County
• The techniques, procedures, and methods used in the operations of a public safety communications center
• The kinds of information obtainable from local, state, and national criminal justice data banks

Ability to:

• Operate a variety of communications equipment including multiple channel radio consoles and video data communications terminals
• React quickly, efficiently, and calmly in an emergency situation and to adopt an effective course of action
• Follow written and oral instructions and learn and apply applicable rules, regulations, and procedures, including those of the Federal Communications Commission
• Speak clearly and distinctly in English
• Prepare records and perform simple typing
• Use a County-Approved means of transportation

Desirable qualifications:

• Experience or training as an emergency communications operator, dispatcher or similar position
• Experience in the use of computers and various software programs
• Comfortable broadcasting over radio in emergency situations
• Able to multi-task in demanding environment while maintaining composure
• Be available for mandatory shifts per the needs of the department

Special requirements:

No significant hearing impairment in either ear.

License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License, Class C or higher is required by date of appointment. Applicants must not have been convicted of a felony or be on any form of probation and must pass an extensive background investigation to the satisfaction of the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. Background screening includes completion of a Personal History Form, interview with a background investigator, fingerprinting and may include a polygraph test. Some of the areas considered in the background screening include prior convictions, traffic violations, drug use, credit history, employment history, professional references and education verification (i.e. degree, license, or official transcripts). Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S).

Physical, mental, and environmental requirements: The County of Orange is committed to providing a means for applicants who may have a disability to identify areas in which they may request a reasonable accommodation. The following is a description of the physical and mental abilities that are customarily required to perform the essential job functions of this position. Applicants are encouraged to contact the recruiter listed for any questions or request an accommodation during the testing/selection process. Physical Requirements: Incumbents must have vision sufficient to read standard text, fine print, various handwritings and view a computer monitor; no significant hearing impairment in either ear, speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably in person and over the phone; independent body mobility sufficient to sit, stoop, bend and stand routinely to perform daily tasks; ability to sit for prolonged periods of time; manual dexterity to use hands, arms and shoulders repetitively to operate a keyboard and use other office equipment. Environmental Conditions: Incumbents must have the ability to work in a confined office environment with changing priorities, deadlines and multiple assignments concurrently; deal with emotional and/or hostile public on a daily basis and remain calm at the same time; and work rotating shifts, weekends and holidays.

The Orange County Sheriff's Human Resources screens all applications to identify the most qualified candidates for the position based on the skills required to meet the needs of the Department. After the initial screening, the qualified candidates will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Proctored Interactive Computer 90-minute Exam (Referred/Non-Referred): The exam consists of job-related questions. This is a standardized exam and there are no study guides available. Candidates need a passing score on this examination in order to continue in the selection process. Only the most successful candidates will be referred to the next step. The exam will include the following:

• Decision Making
• Data Entry
• Call Summarization
• Cross Referencing
• Memory Recall-Numeric
• Prioritizing
• Map Reading
• Spelling

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures. Eligible list: After all procedures have been completed, the Sheriff's Human Resources will establish an eligible list of qualified candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.