Public Safety Communicator I

About the role

Do you want to make a difference in your community? Would you find it rewarding to be a crucial link in the public safety chain? If you answered yes to these questions, then you may be a good fit for Fairfax County's Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC).

Responsibilities

• Serves as primary point of contact for reporting all 9-1-1 emergencies in Fairfax County;
• Represents the County and Department in a professional manner and with a high level of customer service;
• Provides information or directions to callers, police, fire & rescue/EMS, and other public safety agencies, adhering to DPSC, Police, Fire & Rescue department policies and procedures governing the dissemination of information;
• Operates a sophisticated workstation comprised of multiple computer systems including Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency telephone system, geographical mapping tools (GIS and aerial photography), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), and other repositories of critical information, etc. to answer, triage and process incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for service from the general public or other public safety agencies for the protection of life and property;
• Determines the severity of an emergency and dispatches appropriate resources;
• Interacts with callers who may be injured, distressed, distraught and/or emotional, and also public safety field personnel on the telephone and radio to accurately communicate information and instructions in all situations;
• Gathers, classifies, and supplements pertinent information obtained from the caller and enters it into the CAD system, consistent with appropriate protocols;
• Establishes communications with hearing impaired callers through the TTY application of the telephone system;
• Facilitates language interpretation between non-English speaking callers and interpreters to provide assistance needed;
• Provides all services in a "manual mode" (i.e., non-computerized environment) when primary CAD system is not available;
• During computer down time, operates the back-up telephone system (BUTS) and TTY device, uses the street directory, telephone lists, and complaint cards, etc. to generate the appropriate public safety response;
• Performs job duties at the alternate 9-1-1 center if activated or during tests/drills.

Requirements

• Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to: High school graduation or possession of a GED issued by a state department of education, Within a specified time period, satisfactory completion of a prescribed training program.
• Within a specified time period, trainees must attain and maintain the following certifications: Basic Dispatcher certification; Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); Certification in Automated External Defibrillation (AED); Certification in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD); Certification as a Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) Operator Level C.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age at time of hire;
• Must be a United States citizen; or a lawful permanent resident of the United States and eligible for naturalization;
• Must successfully complete a criminal background investigation, polygraph examination prior to employment;
• Must be able to perform essential job functions (reasonable accommodation may be made on a case-by-case-basis);
• Must have never committed, been involved in, or been convicted of, a felony or serious misdemeanor;
• Must be of good character and reputation;
• Must be able to work a 12-hour shift plus a mandatory ½ hour roll call prior to the shift, (days and nights) including holidays and weekends.
• May be required to work up to 16 hours in emergency situations.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, process, laws, ordinances, and regulations affecting public safety call-taking, and the ability to apply them appropriately;
• Operating all equipment, systems, and consoles to receive, record, and monitor data about emergency/non-emergency calls;
• Listening and obtaining essential information by telephone;
• Listening and responding effectively to abusive and excited callers without deterioration of quality of service;
• Quickly assessing the scope and magnitude of an emergency;
• Understanding, compassion, and empathy;
• Acting quickly and decisively;
• Working calmly and effectively under stress;
• Exercising tact and sound judgment;
• Speaking clearly and concisely in English;
• Maintaining control and managing calls while conveying confidence;
• Exercising tact, judgment, confidence, and authority;
• Communicating by speaking, articulating, and enunciating clearly in English;
• Hearing 40 dB at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz according to DOT Standards;
• Seeing, using the Snellen Standard, at least 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without correction and at least 70 degrees peripheral in horizontal meridian measured in each eye;
• Type a minimum of 3500 keystrokes per hour, accurately using various keyboard configurations (as per agency standards) to record and transmit caller information to include address, location, phone numbers, and other time-sensitive event details to public safety field personnel;
• Able to perform job using standard agency equipment.

Benefits

All Fairfax County employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, and participation in a Defined Benefit Retirement Plan, with retirement eligibility after 25 years of service.

Pay

The non-negotiable starting salary for this position is $27.2721 per hour, except for current Fairfax County merit employees, who will retain their current salary as long as it does not exceed $33.1490.

Schedule

Compensation: Fairfax County employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, and participation in a Defined Benefit Retirement Plan, with retirement eligibility after 25 years of service.

Benefits

Employment Standards MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to: High school graduation or possession of a GED issued by a state department of education, Within a specified time period, satisfactory completion of a prescribed training program.

Selection Procedure

Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act.