Emergency Communications Trainer

The City of Birmingham is seeking to hire a well-qualified, motivated Emergency Communications Trainer to oversee the training of new call center staff, including Communication Operators I & II, Public Safety Dispatchers, and Public Safety Telecommunicators, and will act as these employees’ direct supervisor throughout the 16-week training program. Employees in this job class train dispatch personnel on job duties and ensure there is appropriate coverage of the communications center at all times.

The City of Birmingham provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more. The pay range for this job is listed below:

$54,849 - $85,092

• Communications Training Officer - Instructor Certification from Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO).
• Supervisory experience to include directing tasks, approving time off, and conducting performance appraisals.

• Center Manager Certification Program (CMCP) Certification from National Emergency Number Association (NENA).
• Emergency Number Professional (ENP) Certification from Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO).

• Conducts and/or facilitates Emergency Communications training sessions by creating presentations, facilitating discussion, using audio-visual equipment, and evaluating information retention to ensure that departmental employees meet legally-mandated Emergency Communications training objectives.
• Supervises staff by assigning and distributing work, directing staff in their job duties, monitoring progress of work, providing feedback and/or training.
• Conducts training needs assessments by researching relevant rules (e.g., regulations, laws, licensure requirements), developing questions, and collecting/analyzing participant data in order to identify gaps between employees’ current Emergency Communications knowledge levels and legally-required knowledge.
• Develops Emergency Communications training content and/or materials by researching topics, setting objectives, creating outlines, and selecting delivery methods in order to ensure that training information is effective, up-to-date and relevant to employees’ work duties.
• Coordinates the administration of Emergency Communications training programs by scheduling training courses, creating a training calendar, securing appropriate training spaces (e.g., sites/rooms), and setting up equipment/materials to ensure that legally-mandated training is provided in a timely and effective manner.
• Maintains employee training data by creating electronic databases, assisting employees with registration, tracking course attendance, documenting course completion, working with technical staff to address issues, and writing reports in order to keep accurate records of legally-mandated training activities.
• Identifies external training opportunities/resources by researching external trainers/consultants, developing contracts for services, and coordinating enrollment in order to provide professional development opportunities for Emergency Communications department employees.
• Coordinates special Emergency Communications training events (e.g., luncheons, graduation, awards ceremony) by securing locations, creating staffing schedules, requesting special guest speakers, arranging catering, and soliciting input/feedback from participants in order to provide unique educational opportunities for departmental employees.
• Engages in activities designed to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices, rules, laws, policies, and/or guidelines.
• Maintains relevant Emergency Communications training licensure, certification(s), registration(s), etc. by completing continuing education credit units (CEUs) in order to stay abreast of relevant industry developments.

Job is primarily sedentary involving sitting for long periods of time, but may involve occasional walking or standing for brief periods.