Emergency Communications Specialist

Starting Salary: $46,217/yr or $47,611/yr with 3+ years experience. Candidates hired as 911 Emergency Communications Specialists and achieving 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator state certification will be given a $3,000 signing bonus in two installments. Rehired OCSO Emergency Communications Specialists and current OCSO employees are not eligible for a signing bonus.

Specialty Pay: 1 Certification = $38.47 per paycheck / $1,000 annual (new hires only after certification). Pay increases with additional certifications, 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: $46,217 to $71,011 annually
• ECS II: $48,547 to $74,568 annually
• ECS III: $53,518 to $82,222 annually
• ASL: $59,009 to $90,667 annually
• Supervisor: $68,348 to $104,998 annually
• Manager: $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 are 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 U.S. Armed Forces
• Knowledge of Orange County geography helpful
• Must be able to work various shifts with rotating days off, 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 30 wpm)

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

• Criti Call testing: computerized technical test measuring typing speed, data entry, memory recall, map reading, spelling, multitasking, and reading comprehension. Practice typing skills and use the number pad before the test. Several free practice tests are available online.
• Complete background investigation
• Voice stress analysis (truth verification)
• 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 comprehensive training. New hires attend six weeks of classroom training at the Communications Center. After successful completion of the academy phase, candidates prepare for the state certification test and move on to the hands‑on phase, consisting of 480 hours of training with a Communications Training Officer. After successful completion, candidates are assigned to a shift (typically nights) and begin work as an Emergency Communications Specialist I.

Employees routinely sit and work on a computer for long periods, talk, hear, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, use repetitive motion, and require coordination and dexterity. Employees must have bilateral hearing. They must occasionally lift or move up to 10 pounds. Vision requirements include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and peripheral vision.

Work is performed in an open setting. Noise level is usually moderate. Depending on assignment, employees may work holiday, evening, midnight, and/or weekend shifts. Shift times may vary.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Orange County Sheriff's Office may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.