Telecommunicator

Telecommunicator

Are you ready for a career that combines challenge, responsibility, and the opportunity to make a positive impact in your community? New Hanover County is looking for Telecommunicators to answer emergency calls and monitor radio dispatch in our 911 Public Safety Communications Center. We're seeking dedicated individuals to provide the most efficient, accurate, and professional service. Join us in making a difference right where you live. This is a continuous posting which will be open to receive applications throughout the year. As vacancies occur during various times throughout the year, the applications in the pool will be screened and considered for referral. The successful candidate must be skilled at multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment and must have the ability to talk to citizens, asking scripted questions, while entering responses with accurate information to dispatch calls and provide critical information upon which others rely. This position serves as a lifeline for first responders in the field and is the primary point of contact for citizens in emergency situations. Duties include:

• Dispatching appropriate emergency and non-emergency personnel to calls for service and/or complaints.
• Receiving and dispatching calls to appropriate personnel and securing proper information from persons in state of excitement or panic to assure adequate response.
• Prioritizing calls based upon nature of request for services, availability of units, and other pertinent information.
• Monitoring radio transmissions of personnel for accurate response, need for additional assistance and to increase safety of responding personnel.
• Maintaining accurate logs in Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) as required to document the time of calls, time dispatched, response time, time cleared, and other required data.
• Monitoring and maintaining accurate and current awareness of the locations and status of police, fire and ambulance units for safety and to ascertain availability for response.
• Preparing and maintaining a variety of records and logs including warrant files, National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and/or Division of Criminal Information (DCI) entry files, and other required records as needed.
• Operating a manual dispatching system when automatic systems are not functioning or when necessary.
• Performing other related duties as required and assigned.
• Must be able to work nights, weekends, holidays, order-in coverage, and unrestricted mandatory overtime in a 24-hour operation requiring shift work and assigned shift changes.

Successful candidates for this position will be calm, professional, and skilled at multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment. Due to the responsibilities of this position, Telecommunicators must maintain 100% attention at all times. Work is performed indoors in closed and secured setting involving continuous speaking, conversing on telephone and computer operation. The selected candidate should have the ability to function for extended hours day or night and must possess the necessary skills to operate a computer keyboard, telephone, recording device and various office skills. Sitting, stooping, bending, reaching, pulling, pushing, grasping, talking, seeing, hearing (split ear), reading, and repetitive keyboard motions as well as extended periods of sitting. Work in a closed and restricted setting with the same coworkers for extended periods. Frequent telephone communication with citizens in stressful situations who may be unable to communicate effectively. The 911 Center is the link between citizens and emergency public safety response receiving over 500,000 citizen calls per year. The department's actions help save lives, protect property, and assist the public in their time of need.

New Hanover County is dedicated to the recruitment and recognition of a talented and diverse workforce that is committed to public service. Our shared values of professionalism, innovation, equity, integrity, stewardship and accountability guide the way we conduct ourselves and deliver services to our customers. New Hanover County celebrates diversity in our employees' backgrounds, beliefs, identities, and abilities, while supporting growth opportunities for all. Our talented team has a passion for providing care and services that effect change on the everyday lives of the citizens they encounter. The differences that unite us are a reflection of the community we serve. If this sounds like an organization that models the values you uphold, we invite you to join our team at New Hanover County.