Emergency Communications Officer I

Salary$16.08 - $26.24 Hourly LocationNew Port Richey, FL Job TypeFull Time DepartmentPublic Safety Communications Job Number2021-101 Closing

Continuous

Salary Disclosure/General Description

Salary Disclosure:
Starting Salary: $16.08
Pay Grade: N31

Current Pasco County Employees: Please refer to the Personnel Policy & Procedure Manual for starting salary information.

Department: Public Safety Communications

Location: New Port Richey

General Description: Under general supervision, answer non-emergency and 911 emergency requests to assist public and staff with emergency and non-emergency public safety assistance. Perform communications work involving the processing of Enhanced 9-1-1 calls (wireless and ten digit) and dispatching of fire, emergency medical services (EMS), and law enforcement agencies. Accurate and rapid processing of routine and emergency calls, which requires following prescribed standard operating procedures. Transferring callers to other emergency response agencies such as law enforcement following prescribed procedures. Duties require the ability to quickly determine the nature of the emergency from information provided by emergency personnel or the public and initiate appropriate action. May be assigned to a shift other than the one that training was received on and will likely be assigned to night shift at first. Applicants must be available to work any shift, holidays, weekends, and overtime as required.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES: All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.

Essential Job Functions

Receives telephone calls from citizens or emergency personnel requesting assistance or information; screen the calls, and initiate appropriate action per established protocols. Offer pre-arrival medical and fire instructions via telephone per established protocols. Work is performed in a fast paced, high call volume, call center environment. Operates communications and associated peripheral equipment to dispatch assistance units, and enter call records into computer aided dispatch system (CAD). Maintains required files, records, and accurate communication logs of pertinent transmissions of incoming and outgoing calls. Takes complaints, reports issues to on-duty supervisor and document as required. Performs related work as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of radio communications rules and regulations governing radio transmission.
• Knowledge of basic radio receiving and transmitting operations, equipment and proper radio-telephone procedures.
• Knowledge of Pasco County geography; adjoining counties, and roadway networks, major intersections, location of important attractions, buildings, industries, and subdivisions.
• Knowledge of basic medical, fire and law terminology.
• Ability to react calmly, quickly, and promptly handle emergency situations and interact with excited persons in a calm, guiding manner to secure essential information pertaining to emergency situations.
• Must be able to speak in a clear, well-modulated voice and deal with public in a firm, courteous, tactful, and impartial manner.
• Ability to maintain clear, accurate, and detailed accounts of operations.
• Must possess multitasking skills, initiative, and a desire to help others, and be able to function as a team member.
• Ability to make sound decisions during stressful situations.
• Ability to learn to operate radio and telephone transmitting and receiving equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to listen and understand.
• Ability to operate a computer and utilize the related software programs.
• Ability to follow established protocols and follow the chain of command.
• Ability to maintain flexibility and adaptability when performing tasks and duties in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• One year experience working in a fast paced, high call volume commercial or government public safety dispatching/call-taking facility is preferred.
• Multi-line telephone equipment; computerized customer service; flexibility, split ear and multi-tasking, active listening, decision making, and critical thinking experience is preferred.

Minimum Requirements

PHYSICAL SKILLS: Ability to sit at a console for extended periods of time. Ability to communicate effectively using verbal, written and visual communication. Must be able to operate a keyboard to enter data into a computer. Must be capable of reaching all communications control panels and reference materials in communications center. Good vision without color blindness, and excellent hearing skills required.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.

Applicants will be required to pass the Critical pre-employment testing, drug screening, polygraph, psychological evaluation and background check.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid driver's license.

Must obtain the following within six (6) months of date of hire:

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD). Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD). Emergency Police Dispatcher (EPD). State of Florida Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification. Current FCIC/NCIC certifications. Applicants who do not meet the above requirements may be hired as a trainee at a rate of 10% less than the listed starting rate for Emergency Communications Officer I.

Applicants must be able to meet the requirements, and progress to ECO II within 24 months of being hired.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Required to work flexible schedules, which will include evenings, weekends, holidays, standby and mandatory overtime.

The department has a strict non-drug usage policy. In order to be eligible you cannot have used, tried, possessed or experimented with marijuana in the last 12 months. You must not have used, tried, possessed or experimented with any illegal drug/controlled substance, other than marijuana, in the past five years. You must not have sold or delivered any illegal drug/controlled substance at any time.

CRIMINAL HISTORY: An applicant who pleads guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to, or is found guilty of any felony or guilty of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, is NOT eligible for employment even if the sentence was suspended or adjudication was withheld by the judge.

ADA STATEMENT: A qualified employee or applicant with a disability may be afforded a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions of a position in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida law, requiring pre-employment drug/alcohol testing.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter 55A-7, Pasco County BCC provides to Veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.
PASCO COUNTY WAS VOTED ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP WORK PLACES FOR 2021

Benefits include:

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) retirement plan
• PTO (Paid Time Off)
• Paid holidays
• Group insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Deferred compensation
• Medical leave pool
• Annual medical leave buy-back
• Mid-management/Professional grade, and management personnel may receive 40 hours of admin leave per calendar year.

Effective July 1, 2011, FRS members must contribute 3% of their salary as retirement contributions, on a pre-tax basis (the salary is reduced by the amount of the employee contribution before determining the federal income tax deduction). The employer will automatically deduct the employee contributions.