Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialist, Grade 15

Overview This is an Open Continuous announcement, meaning your application will remain active and under consideration for both current and future vacancies as they arise. Qualified candidates will be placed on an eligible list and contacted for testing as openings become available. Salary and Benefits Position will be filled at the Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialist I level, Grade 15. Starting salary is $55,517.00. Now offering a $5,000 Hiring Bonus distributed over the first year and eligibility for the Employee Retirement System (ERS) Defined Benefit Plan. Application, Testing, and Interview Process Applicants who meet the Minimum Qualifications will have their status changed to “Referred” and will be invited to test. If the test is passed, an interview will be conducted by the Department of Police’s Emergency Communications Division the same day. Location and Working Conditions This position is assigned to the Department's Emergency Communications Center (ECC) which is located in Gaithersburg and Rockville, Maryland. All personnel must work on site and are not eligible for telework or remote work assignments. The Communications Specialist must be able to work overtime, including overnight stays, during inclement weather or emergencies. Responsibilities Answer 9-1-1 emergency calls and dispatch police officers and fire rescue personnel using Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD). Provide accurate and timely dispatch support to police officers and fire rescue personnel. Maintain and monitor all telephone conversations and radio messages under electronic surveillance; record as required. Compile and respond to reports and complaints from citizens, ECC‑911 staff, police patrol officers, Specialists, and others via telephone, radio, or mail. Work holidays, weekends, and shifts during days, evenings, or midnights. Accept last‑minute changes in the schedule and work mandatory overtime. Perform work assignments at different work locations when required. Qualifications Pass a comprehensive background investigation conducted by the MCPD (8‑week process). Pass a computerized examination and scored interview, psychological evaluation, medical examination, and drug/alcohol screen. Demonstrate good customer service skills, including dealing calmly and respectfully with irate and angry callers. Work under close supervision and daily evaluation of performance, especially during training. Experience: None. Education: Proof of graduation from high school or high‑school certification recognized by the state of Maryland before day one of employment. Equivalency: None. License and Certifications (to be obtained by completion of the probationary period): CPR certification; Law Enforcement Dispatch, Fire Dispatch, and Emergency Medical Dispatch Protocol System certifications; State of Maryland Emergency Medical Dispatch license; METERS/NCIC certification. Career Advancement Employees will receive proficiency advancement to Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialist II (grade 17) after achieving check‑off as a multi‑discipline public safety call taker with at least five (5) months experience as a PSECS I and a 10% salary increase; to III (grade 19) after 3 months experience as a PSECS II, to IV (grade 20) after 12 months experience as a PSCS III with a 5% increase, and to Senior Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialist (grade 21) after 24 months as a PSCS IV with a 5% increase. Testing Process All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be scheduled for a computerized examination. Applicants who pass will be scheduled for a selection interview. Successful applicants will be rated Well‑Qualified or Qualified, and will then move to the final selection process. Selection Process All selected applicants must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation, psychological evaluation, medical examination, drug/alcohol screen, and observe a full performance Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialist in the Emergency Communications Center. Notifications Applicants will be notified of a test date, time, and venue via email prior to the test date. They will also be notified via email or telephone for all other steps in the testing and selection phases. #J-18808-Ljbffr Montgomery County Government