Emergency Communications Specialist, Trainee

Are you someone who stays calm under pressure, thrives in fast-paced environments, and wants to make a direct impact on your community?

Lee County Public Safety is seeking motivated Emergency Communications Specialist, Trainees to join our Division of Emergency Communications. This role is ideal for individuals with experience in telecommunications, call center operations, or other high-stress customer service settings—and a passion for helping people during their most critical moments. Whether you're coming from customer service, healthcare, hospitality, public safety, technology, or another fast-paced environment, your skills may translate well to emergency communications.

We provide comprehensive training and certifications to prepare you for a career in 9-1-1.

As an Emergency Communications Specialist, you’ll be the vital link between the public and first responders. You will answer 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls, gather critical information, provide life-saving instructions, and coordinate the dispatch of fire, EMS, and law enforcement units. This position demands strong communication skills, quick decision-making, and the ability to adapt rapidly to changing situations. All required training and certifications are fully funded by the department.

If you’re ready for a meaningful career where every shift makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

• Receive and process 9-1-1, emergency, and non-emergency calls.
• Gather and evaluate information quickly and accurately.
• Provide pre-arrival and post-dispatch instructions.
• Prioritize calls and enter events into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.

• Train to dispatch Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement resources using advanced Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and public safety radio systems.
• Monitor responder status and maintain situational awareness.
• Analyze evolving situations and take action to support responder safety.
• Coordinate mutual aid and outside agency assistance when needed.

• Collaborate with fellow call takers and dispatchers in a fast-paced, team-focused environment.
• Maintain confidentiality of caller and operational information.
• Deliver excellent customer service to the public and public safety community.
• Support countywide coverage by reassigning units as needed.

• Achieve and maintain all required certifications, including:
• Emergency Medical Dispatch
• Emergency Fire Dispatch
• Emergency Police Dispatch
• CPR certification
• CJIS certification Florida DOH 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator certification
• Complete a comprehensive training program that includes 9-1-1 call taking and Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement radio dispatch. Follow department policies and procedures to ensure consistent, high-quality service.
• Specialized Training Opportunities
  • Opportunities for FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification and participation in the Division's Drone as First Responder (DFR) program.
  • Additional specialized training and assignments may be available as employees progress through their careers.

(Any equivalent combination of education and experience)

• High school diploma or GED.
• Six months of experience in one of the following areas:
  • Telecommunications
  • Call center or contact center operations
  • High-volume or high-stress customer service
  • Alarm monitoring or security dispatch
  • Transportation or utility dispatch
  • Hospital switchboard operations
  • Public service aide or 311 call screening
  • Other comparable experience involving high-volume communication, customer service, multitasking, or problem-solving
• Preferred typing speed: 40 wpm.

All candidates must successfully pass a Criminal Justice Information…