Public Safety Telecommunicator

Position Overview

The Orange County Emergency Services Department has an opening for a Public Safety Telecommunicator. The work involves answering incoming calls through the 9‑1‑1 emergency communication system for Emergency Medical, Law Enforcement, Fire, Emergency Management, Park Rangers, NC State Highway Patrol, Animal Services, and any other support service that requires emergency response and monitoring, providing critical information during 9‑1‑1 events and dispatching appropriate emergency response unit(s).

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Public Safety Communications Battalion Chief with some leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Supervision over others is not required. The position may also perform related work as required.

Compensation is based on the Orange County Step Plan. Employees hired in trainee status receive a 12.95% increase once released from trainee status. The step plan provides regular salary increases based on length of Orange County service. Applicants with current or prior public safety work experience may be considered for additional compensation based on education, current certifications, and length of service in a public safety communications role.

• Minimum Hire: after 1 year:
  Step 1; after 2 years:
  Step 2; after 3 years:
  Step 3; after 4 years:
  Step 4; after 5–7 years:
  Step 5; after 8–9 years:
  Steps 6–8; after 10–14 years:
  Steps 9–10; after 15–19 years:
  Steps 11–15; after 20–24 years:
  Steps 16–20; after 25+ years:
  Steps 21–25.
• Telecommunicator Trainee salary range: $45,990 after 1 year to $61,479 after 25 years.
• Telecommunicator salary range: $51,949 after 1 year to $69,445 after 25 years.

• High School Diploma or GED and eight (8) months of telecommunications or dispatch experience; or
• For Trainee status:
  High School Diploma or GED and two (2) years of continuous employment in multitasking positions or work experience including significant public contact.
• Keyboard 30 wpm or better.
• A higher degree does not substitute for work experience.

• Telecommunicator experience in an emergency services communications center.
• Experience with computer data entry and/or use of advanced telephone system and radio systems.
• Emergency Responder experience in law enforcement, EMS, or fire services.

Must possess or be able to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of pre-employment drug testing, vision/hearing screening, background check, and a psychological examination. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.

Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen and at least 18 years of age. No felony convictions. No single Class B misdemeanor conviction within ten (10) years of application, and no two or more Class B misdemeanor convictions at any time.

Required participation in the County’s Drug and Alcohol Screening program.

• Division of Criminal Information (DCI)
• FEMA Independent Study Courses: IS‑100.b, IS‑200.b, IS‑700.a, IS‑800.b
• North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Telecommunicator or International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) Emergency Telecommunicator (ETC) Certification
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• IAED and NCOEMS Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
• IAED Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD)
• IAED Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD)
• Additional trainings as required.

Shift work with day shift from 6:30 am to 6:45 pm, night shift from 6:30 pm to 6:45 am, and other possible shift patterns of varying hours. Employees must be willing to work any shift assignment along with any assigned mandatory overtime, on-call duty, holidays, and weekends.

This is a safety sensitive position and participation in the Drug and Alcohol Program is required. The position is part of random testing. Background Check is required.

Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and affirmative action employer.