911 - Public Safety Communications Specialist

Salary : $44,720.00 Annually
Location : Lynchburg, VA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 03095
Department: Emergency Services
Opening Date: 08/24/2023
Closing Date: 6/30/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding career? Consider a position as a Public Safety Communications Specialist in the 911 Communications Center!
Base rate: $21.50 per hour
Additional $4/hour for Evening ShiftAdditional $3/hour for Midnight Shift
These positions are a critical part of accomplishing the Public Safety mission for the City of Lynchburg. This is a fast-paced, 24/7 operation which requires that applicants are available to work any shift, including holidays, evenings and weekends. Applicants must also be able to multi-task and prioritize demands.
The City of Lynchburg offers competitive salary and benefits.
The City of Lynchburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages everyone to apply.
Applicants must be able to type a minimum of 38 words per minute and pass a computerized skills assessment that evaluates their abilities to multi-task, gather and enter detailed information, and make quick decisions. To see if you can type 38 words per minute (or to practice), .
Essential Duties
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Process 911 and non-emergency calls for police, fire, ems, rescue and public works
• Assess calls by obtaining crucial and pertinent information, frequently from hysterical or irate callers, in order to classify and prioritize problems and to determine and coordinate the appropriate response by emergency personnel and equipment
• Provide necessary Emergency Medical Dispatch instructions to callers experiencing medical crises
• Monitor Public Safety units and maintain status of each to effectively coordinate response
• Handle and determine dissemination of time-sensitive and confidential information
• Operate various complex communications equipment, such as NCIC, 800 MHz regional radio system, and computer aided dispatch system
• Send, receive, and disseminate messages to and from other agencies and jurisdictions through the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN)
• Execute extensive file searches and updates relative to location history, hazard information and record management data
• Administer appropriate notifications, such as alarm notifications, wrecker service, etc., as requested by Public Safety responders
ADDITIONAL DUTIES
• Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned
• When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery
• Provide testimony in criminal court proceedings
• Coordinates daily with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the National Warning System (NAWAS)
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
Minimum Education and Experience Required
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
High school diploma or GED and customer service and/or telemarketing experience required. Associate's degree with major coursework in communications and/or Public Safety preferred.
Additional Requirements
• Must pass a thorough background examination, which may include a polygraph and credit investigation
• Ability to be certified by Commonwealth of Virginia as a Dispatcher through successful completion of state mandated training
• Ability to obtain NCIC/VCIN certification
• Ability to be certified in CPR and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) during initial training period
Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.
The City offers an array of benefits combined with direct salary/wages in order to establish a total compensation package that supports the City's goals of attracting, rewarding, and retaining employees who are both representatives of the community and are also able to deliver exceptional services.

• Employees in full-time positions are eligible for the following benefits:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Retirement through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS); the City pays 20.96% and employees pay 5% of base pay (pre-tax) towards their VRS benefit
  • Life insurance at no cost to the employee
  • Optional benefits such as 457 deferred compensation, Roth IRA, flexible spending accounts, etc.
  • Eligibility for parental leave and tuition assistance
  • Paid Time Off

Employees in hourly and part-time positions may be eligible for benefits depending on the position

Employees of the City of Lynchburg may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for federal student loans
Additional information about City benefits can be found on our and in the
01
This job requires working rotating shifts including weekends and holidays. The shift hours are 6:30 am - 3:00 pm, 2:30 pm - 11:00 pm, and 10:30 pm - 7:00 am. Are you willing and available to work ALL shifts and assignments?

• Yes
• No

02
This position requires applicants to sign a 3-year contract upon employment due to the significant on-the-job training you will receive. Are you willing to sign a 3-year contract?

• Yes
• No

03
How many words can you type in 1 minute (not including errors)? If you do not know your typing speed, you can take a typing test at www.typingtest.com
04
This job requires you to pass a drug and alcohol screen and a thorough background examination, which may include a polygraph and credit investigation. Would you be willing to participate in these examinations?

• Yes
• No

05
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

• Yes
• No

06
Please detail your customer service experience, telemarketing experience, or prior experience as a Public Safety Communications Specialist.
07
Are you a citizen of the United States?

• Yes
• No

08
Please check the primary way you found out about this position:

• Facebook Post
• DES Instagram
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• City Website
• Career Fair
• Local News Story
• Radio Ad
• Employee Referral
• Other

Required Question