911 calltaker (Telecommunications Operator 1)

Salary: $20.22 Hourly
Location : Fort Myers, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 23-736
Department: Police - Dispatchers
Opening Date: 04/12/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Description
*THIS POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED*
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Safety Sensitive: YES Level II Screening: NO
Under the general direction of the designated supervisor, responsible for answering incoming telephone calls, which are comprised of 911 emergency calls, non-emergency police related calls, and non-emergency non-police related calls. This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
Responsibilities and Reporting During an Emergency Situation:
Essential Employees may be required to work during a declared emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.
Non Essential Employees will not be required to work during a declared emergency. The employee's Department Head will determine when the employee will be required to work.
SIGN-ON BONUS
Additionally, you are being afforded a sign on incentive bonus of $2,000.00 gross as part of this offer.
The hiring bonus will be paid as follows:

• $1,000 of this bonus will be paid on the next regularly scheduled pay date after you start employment with the City of Fort Myers.
• $1,000 of this bonus will be paid upon completion of two years of employment.

Perks and Benefits

• Free city-paid employee health coverage, additional for spouse or family
• 3 weeks Paid Time Off (sick & vacation)
• 13 paid holidays
• Pension plan & optional Deferred Compensation
• City-paid life insurance
• Optional Vision, Dental, and Disability Insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• On-site Gym facility
• And much more!

Duties/Responsibilities

• Monitor incoming emergency and non-emergency phone lines.
• Assess and relay calls to appropriate agencies.
• Enter complaints into Computer Aided Dispatch system.
• Assist general public, co-workers, supervisors and other agencies as needed.
• May assist in providing on-the-job training for Police Call Takers and submit progress reports and evaluations of trainees.
• This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the employee's physical presence at the workplace
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers, typewriters, printers, copiers, and telephone answering devices.
• Skill in multi-tasking and making quick decisions under stress.
• Skill in oral communications and listening for effective understanding, expression and clarity.
• Ability to operate necessary equipment, including Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD); personal computer, multi-line telephone system, copier, facsimile machine and other standard office equipment.
• Must have the ability to work ten hour rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and during emergencies.
• Ability to perform under stress when confronted with individuals acting under stress and in emergency or life-threatening situations.
• Ability to remain non-judgmental when receiving information
• Ability to communicate compassion and empathy consistently.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and interpretation based on acquired knowledge in circumstances where limited standardization exists.
• Ability to exercise discretion due to the sensitive and confidential nature of information processed.
• Ability to draw valid conclusions in task processing and prioritization.
• Ability to handle multiple diverse task simultaneously while maintaining an attention to detail for ensuring accuracy in task performance.
• Ability to understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to understand, interpret and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
• Ability to work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone.
• Ability to demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with the public, and remain calm under stressful and non-stressful conditions.

Minimum Requirements

• High School diploma or GED.
• Must take and pass a computer-based performance test.
• Mandatory Drug/Alcohol Testing required.
• Must submit to a complete background investigation including fingerprint check, polygraph (lie detector), and psychological evaluation and found to be of good moral character.

Full-time regular City employee benefits:

• Health Insurance ()
  • City paid employee coverage. HMO or PPO plans are available. Dependents can be added, Employee pays 30% of premium. Premium deductions are taken pre-tax.
• Basic Life Insurance ()
  • City paid. The benefit is equal to 1x the annual base pay, rounded to the nearest $1000.00.
• Optional Vision Insurance ()
  • Employee-paid insurance is available at group rates, and family plans are available to employees. Premium deductions are taken pre-tax.
• Optional Dental Insurance ()
  • Employee-paid insurance is available at group rates, and family plans are available to employees. Premium deductions are taken pre-tax.
• Supplemental Insurance
  • Employees may purchase various types of supplemental insurance (life, AFLAC) at group rates through payroll deduction.
• Pension Plan (General) Administered by
• Pension Plan (Police and Fire) administered by
• 401(a) ()
  • Certain management positions can opt out of the General Pension into a 401(a).
• Roth IRA ()
  • Offered through payroll deduction.
• Disability ()
  • Employee paid short & long-term disability insurance.
• Leave Time (Sick, Vacation)
• Paid Holidays
  • City recognizes 13 holidays which include: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Floating Holiday.
• Leave Sharing
  • May elect to donate or request leave time. Used for emergency circumstances when all leave has been exhausted.
• Deferred Compensation Programs
  • Tax-deferred savings plan available for retirement purposes. Employee-only contributions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Employees can elect to use pre-tax dollars to cover un-reimbursed medical or dependent daycare expenses.
• Payroll Direct Deposit
  • Available to any banking institution or credit union. Suncoast Federal Schools Credit Union membership is available to City employees.
• Employee Assistance Program ()
  • City-paid availability to licensed professional counselors for non-work related personal issues with 100% confidentiality.

Please note: Benefits do not apply to On-Call, Temporary, or Seasonal positions. Benefits only apply to regular Full-time positions.
01
Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you currently possess a minimum of a High School diploma or GED or higher?

• Yes
• No

03
PLEASE READ IN ITS ENTIRETY:Because you are applying to a law enforcement agency, you understand that you MUST include information about any arrest, charge, conviction, or other criminal activity, even if the records are sealed or expunged (Section 943.13(7), F.S. Rule 11b-27.0022).

• Yes
• No

04
I understand that I must take and pass a computer based performance test.

• Yes
• No

05
I understand that this position requires successful completion and passing of mandatory drug/alcohol testing.

• Yes
• No

06
Have you ever received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States?

• Yes
• No

07
Have you been convicted of any felony crime?

• Yes
• No

08
Have you ever been convicted of any misdemeanor or felony, or any crime against the United States designated as a misdemeanor or felony, or any offense against any other state, territory, or country which would be a misdemeanor or felony if committed in this state at time of application that involves any of the following:a. Abuse or neglect of children, aged, or incompetentb. Perjury or falsification to include making false reports of crimes or falsification of official documentsc. Sexual offenses, including indecent exposure and prostitutiond. Any offense involving violations of the civil rights of any person under the Constitution or laws of the United States or any county

• Yes
• No

09
Have you ever been convicted of domestic violence?

• Yes
• No

10
Have you ever pled "nolo contendere", guilty, or have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony involving domestic violence?

• Yes
• No

11
Have you ever used or possessed any Illegal drug at any time of employment while employed with a law enforcement agency, in a prosecutorial position, and/or employed in any position of responsibility of the public trust?

• Yes
• No

12
I understand that I must submit to a complete background investigation including fingerprint check, polygraph and psychological evaluation and found to be of good moral character.

• Yes
• No

13
I understand and acknowledge that this position requires the ability to work day shift, afternoon shift, night shift, weekends, holidays, and/or city declared disaster.

• Yes
• No

14
Do you currently have any visible tattoos on your face, neck, head, or hands?

• Yes
• No

15
If you answered "YES" to having tattoos, please list the location and describe the tattoo.
16
Have you ever been involved in the sale of illegal drugs?

• Yes
• No

17
Within the past year, have you tried, used, or experimented with marijuana?

• Yes
• No

18
Within the past 5 years, have you tried, used, or experimented with powder cocaine?

• Yes
• No

Required Question