Emergency Communication Specialist

Position Overview

Telecommunicator – responsible for answering multiple telephone lines, assessing emergency and non-emergency calls, and entering call data into the dispatch system. Acts as lead shift worker during supervisor absence, assists in training new dispatchers, and maintains communication and records for law enforcement, fire, rescue, and EMS units.

• Answer multiple telephone lines, assess incoming emergency and non-emergency calls, and enter call data into the dispatch computer.
• Transfer or connect calls to the appropriate department, extension, service, or agency.
• Assist with shift activity, inform adjacent shifts of calls and activities, act as lead shift worker during supervisor absence, assist with training new dispatchers, prepare daily dispatch personnel assignments, and schedule training.
• Maintain conversation with callers to obtain and verify pertinent information, comfort them until assistance arrives, and make welfare checks on abandoned 911 calls.
• Communicate over law enforcement, fire, rescue, and EMS radio channels, notifying other services (ambulances, wreckers, utilities, etc.) when services are requested or required.
• Maintain status of responding units to ensure the safety of personnel involved in accidents, fires, hazardous incidents, and break‑ups.
• Enter, retrieve, modify, locate, maintain, save, and clear files and records in TCIC/NCIC, CAD, or in-house computer systems; record information manually on entry cards when the computer is out of service.
• Perform computer background checks on criminals, peruse records for stolen pawn shop tickets, handle inquiries on driver’s licenses, vehicle tags, stolen articles and property, guns, wanted and missing persons, warrants, and summons, and provide requested information from the computer database.
• Operate the telecommunications device for the deaf, issue case and assign warrant numbers, and perform pager, phone, and/or radio knock‑out tests as required.
• Communicate with supervisor, employees, other departments, the public, and other individuals to coordinate work activities, review status, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Notify appropriate personnel and/or supervisor of critical situations, weather‑related information, and problems with communications or computer equipment.
• Maintain assorted logs detailing daily activity, including wrecker service, warrants, dispatching, messages, and TCIC/NCIC entries/retrievals.
• Perform administrative support duties such as replenishing forms, changing computer paper, shredding confidential material, disseminating information to various departments, and pulling entry cards for validation.
• Perform related work as required.

Requires high school graduation or GED equivalent.

Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

None.

• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Telecommunicator license within 12 months of employment
• Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS)
• Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC)
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) full‑access certifications
• Nationally recognized CPR certification
• TCOLE 1080 Basic Telecommunicator Course
• TTY/TDD training

Paid training will be provided to assist the applicant in successfully obtaining these licenses and/or certifications once they are employed.

Starting pay for this position is currently $22.61/hr.

Bell County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities, and prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management. EEO policy is available at the Historic Courthouse, 3rd Floor, in downtown Belton.