Communications Officer

Emergency Communications Officer

Division: Emergency Communications

Revision Date: 2 January 2026

Starting Salary: $52,000 – No Experience Needed!

General Description: This is a technical position. The position performs complex tasks in the operation of the 911 system in the County of Louisa. Reports to the Emergency Communications Supervisor.

• Answers and prioritizes enhanced 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls, determining the location and nature of the incident and caller information, and enters information into the computer-aided dispatch system.
• Prioritizes other activities as they relate to emergency and non-emergency call taking.
• Processes emergency and non-emergency calls for service in a computer-aided dispatch system.
• Forwards or transfers calls to appropriate agency or person.
• Provides emergency medical, fire, and safety instructions and advice to callers, including CPR, obstructed airway, and childbirth instructions.
• Assists the public with information requests.
• Prioritizes, dispatches, and monitors appropriate law enforcement, fire, and/or EMS units by utilizing a computerized 9-1-1 telephone system, computer-aided dispatch system, computerized radio console, mapping system, and dispatch assignment system.
• Tracks unit and event activities in the computer-aided dispatch system.
• Monitors and communicates emergency and event-related data.
• Makes outgoing telephone calls as necessary.
• Monitors the diversion status of hospitals and notifies field units of changes in diversion status.
• Monitors alarms and security systems, responding as appropriate.
• Coordinates communications between multiple units, agencies, and jurisdictions responding to fire, EMS, and/or law enforcement incidents.
• Simultaneously monitors and transmits on multiple radio channels, maintaining contact with and monitoring the status of field units.
• Operates, maintains, and validates data in VCIN/NCIC/NLETS databases.
• Researches and inputs computerized data and information.
• Operates equipment and systems within the Emergency Communications Center, such as fax machine, copier, paper shredder, voice playback recorder, 911 email, and Instaphone.
• Completes logs, forms, and other documentation related to Emergency Communications Operations.
• Monitors up to fifteen computer systems on up to eight monitors simultaneously.
• Performs related work as assigned.

• Customers – Contact with customers in difficult situations
• Conditions – Noisy work environment
• Physical Effort – Minimal
• FLSA status – Non-exempt

• Ability to read, hear, and speak English with proper usage, diction, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced, high-stress emergency work environment.
• Ability to hear multiple conversations simultaneously, distinguishing voices and sources to obtain relevant information quickly and accurately.
• Ability to type on keyboards, operate computer mice and foot controls while conversing on the radio and/or telephone.
• Ability to read and interpret complex maps and provide directions.
• Ability to quickly read, interpret, and retain information.
• Knowledge of Louisa County geography, jurisdictional boundaries, towns, highways, roads, bodies of water, and landmarks.
• Ability to analyze, react quickly, and make sound, rational, public safety-related decisions with little or no supervision.
• Ability to maintain emotional self-control, work under pressure, and manage high job-related stress levels.
• Ability to learn emergency dispatching methods.
• Ability to operate multiple communications and computer equipment.
• Ability to learn law enforcement, fire, and EMS equipment and resource capabilities to develop response strategies for various types of emergencies.
• Ability to assess conditions of patients with medical emergencies and provide emergency medical pre-arrival instructions following specific dispatch protocols.
• Ability to develop listening and interrogation techniques to control direction and length of telephone calls.
• Ability to read and disseminate court orders and warrant information.
• Knowledge of modern office practices.
• Proficiency with…