Emergency Communications Specialist

Overview

Starting Salary: $46,217/yr or $47,611/yr with 3+ years experience. Candidates hired as 911 Emergency Communications Specialists who achieve the 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator state certification will be given a $3,000 Signing Bonus in two installments. Rehired Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) Emergency Communications Specialists and current OCSO employees are not eligible for the signing bonus.

Specialty Pay: 1 Certification = $38.47 per paycheck / $1,000 annual (new hires only after they achieve their certification). Pay will increase as more certifications are obtained up to a maximum of $71.54 per paycheck.

Entry level Emergency Communications Specialists earn a starting salary of $40,684 annually. Upon certification they are eligible for specialty pay which increases with the number of certifications, shift differential pay, training pay, overtime pay and educational incentives. Base pay rates for Communications positions are as follows:

• ECS I pay range $46,217 to $71,011 annually
• ECS II pay range is $48,547 to $74,568 annually
• ECS III pay range is $53,518 to $82,222 annually
• ASL pay range is $59,009 to $90,667 annually
• Supervisor pay range is $68,348 to $104,998 annually
• Manager pay range is $77,480 to $118,955 annually

Emergency Communications Specialists respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service, using a computer aided dispatch terminal for entering call data. They must train and certify in at least two of the three positions:
Call Taker, Radio Dispatcher, and Teletype Operator. Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply.

• Good work history
• Accredited high school or GED diploma (certificate of completion not accepted)
• Must be a U.S. citizen or possess a current permanent resident card
• Must not have been convicted of a felony
• No illegal drug usage within the last year. Other drug usage will be evaluated on a case by case basis
• Must not have received a dishonorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces
• Knowledge of Orange County geography helpful
• Must be able to work various shifts with rotating days off, as well as weekends and holidays
• Must be able to speak and understand English
• Must successfully complete a job related "Criti Call" test
• Must be computer literate
• Must have good typing skills (approximately 30wpm)

• One (1) to two (2) years of college, military, or related experience and/or training preferred.

• Criti Call testing:
  This is a computerized technical test that measures typing speed, data entry, memory recall, map reading, spelling, multitasking and reading comprehension. We recommend you practice typing to prepare, including using the number pad. There are several free practice tests offered online that are similar to what you will be taking.
• Job Shadow
• Panel Interview
• Voice Stress Analysis (truth verification)
• Complete Background Investigation
• Medical exam & drug screen (after conditional job offer)
• Psychological evaluation (after conditional offer)

Processing time on average is 3-5 months.

Candidates hired as Emergency Communications Specialists receive some of the best training in the industry. Upon employment, new hires attend six weeks of classroom training at the Communications Center. After successful completion of the academy phase, candidates are prepared to take their state certification test and move on to the hands-on phase of their training. This phase consists of 480 hours of hands-on training, working directly with a Communications Training Officer.

After successful completion of training, candidates are placed on a shift (typically nights) and begin their work as a Emergency Communications Specialist I - the direct connection between our citizens and deputies.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and work on the computer for long periods of time, talk, hear, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, use repetitive motion, and utilize coordination and dexterity abilities. The employee must have bilateral hearing. For instance, the employee must have the ability to hear with both ears while wearing…