911 Public Safety Telecommunicator I (Certified)

Salary : $45,937.00 - $50,000.00 Annually
Location : Norfolk, VA
Job Type: Permanent Full-time
Job Number: 11904
Department: Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response
Opening Date: 03/28/2024
Closing Date: 4/28/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Emergency Communications is a division of the Norfolk Police Department and serves as a central point to provide timely, accurate, and critical 24-hour communications with all field Public Safety units. It is structured to provide public access for emergency 911, and non-emergency response from Public Safety Personnel, such as police, fire, and medics by being staffed on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week. It also serves as the 24-hour point of contact for all multi-jurisdictional, state, and federal notifications regarding Public Safety.
Functions in the duties of receiving requests for police, fire, and emergency medical services via multi-line 911 telephones, operating computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems and dispatching Public Safety units via 2-way radios. Operates various telecommunications equipment and applications to dispatch Public Safety units and monitor radios and telephone calls. Simultaneously attends to telephone and radio system while entering and extracting data from computer systems.
Essential Functions

• Responds to emergency requests by answering multi-line telephones, including NG911 lines, SMS/Text, and entering data into computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system.
• Dispatch police, fire, and/or emergency medical service (EMS) units by relaying information to street units, verifying information, and monitoring radio transmission.
• Provide additional assistance to personnel, citizens, and the public by searching for warrants, locating phone numbers and addresses, contacting outside agencies regarding power failures, gas leaks or other issues, and using the computer to access DMV records, gun licenses, and other relevant information.
• Must type minimum 30 words per minute. Keyboard proficiency is required to effectively work in this position.
• Attend in-house Public Safety Telecommunicator academy to ensure attainment of the following certifications: Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD), Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Virginia Criminal Information Network/National Crime Information Center (VCIN/NCIC).
• Train and certify on Norfolk 911 call handling equipment (CHE) and applications, to include multi-line NG911 and administrative phone lines and associated equipment.
• Train and certify on Police and Fire/EMS radio dispatch channels and associated equipment.
• Answer stressful calls while entering data into computer aided dispatch system (CAD) for Police/Fire/EMS dispatch.
• Ability to speak clearly and effectively control a conversation with distressed callers.
• Ability to read maps, reference books, technical manuals, medical cards, and related correspondence.
• Work involves choices of actions within limits set by standard practices and procedures. Mature and professional judgment is required to apply the proper course of action.
• Maintain communication with other departments which may involve decision-making for Public Safety purposes.
• Ability to work with various local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Education/Experience

• Work requires knowledge necessary to understand basic operational, technical, or office processes. Level of knowledge equivalent to four years of high school or equivalency.

Required:

• Twelve (12) months of experience as a Public Safety Telecommunicator.

Preferred:

• Courses in the Criminal Justice, Emergency Medical, or Fire service fields.
• Customer service experience with keyboard proficiency in high-stress environment.
• Ability to easily navigate a desktop computer and direct customer service in a stressful environment.

Additional Information & Requirements
Required:

• Type a minimum of thirty (30) words per minute (WPM).
• Ability to obtain the following certifications within six months; Virginia Criminal Information Network/National Crime Information Center (VCIN/NCIC), CPR, In-house Academy, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (Dispatcher)

Preferred:

• Virginia Criminal Information Network and/or National Crime Information Center (VCIN/NCIC), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD).

Work Schedule: Our staff works 12-hour shifts; Day shift starts at 7 a.m. and Night shift starts at 7 p.m. Day and Night shifts rotate monthly. In a 2-week cycle, this position works 24 hours in the first week (Tues/Wed), 60 hours in the second week (Sat/Sun/Mon and Thurs/Fri) for a total of 84 hours in a two-week period. Operational needs of the department will dictate assignments and shift rotation.
Signing Bonus: This position is eligible for a $5,000 signing bonus.

• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
  
• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.
  
• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
  
• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.
If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant's school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:
The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.
Non-City
Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.
01
The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

• I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02
If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."
03
Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College (6 months or more)
• Vocational/Technical Degree
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree or higher

04
Please describe your education, training, or experience in Police/Fire/EMS profession. This may include training in a Vocational/Technical course.
05
A keyboard typing test will be administered for this position. Please select the response that best describes your typing speed. 30 words per minute minimum is required for this position.

• I do not type
• Up to 29 words per minute (WPM)
• 30-60 WPM
• More than 60 WPM

06
Do you have a minimum of 12 months experience as a Public Safety Telecommunicator / 911 Professional?

• Yes
• No

07
If yes, please describe any training and certifications as a 911 Calltaker, Fire/EMS and/or Police dispatcher. If no, put n/a.
08
Have you completed the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (VA DCJS) course for Telecommunicators?

• Yes
• No

09
Do you possess a current CPR Certification?

• Yes
• No

10
This is an Essential Employee position. The hired candidate is required to report to work during inclement weather, emergency situations, shift work, or as staffing and business needs dictate. Are you willing and able to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

11
A conviction (felony or misdemeanor) does not necessarily eliminate you from employment consideration. A criminal background check is conducted on all new hires. Failure to disclose all criminal convictions may result in disqualification from employment consideration or may result in dismissal from City of Norfolk employment if you have been hired. The nature of the offense; the time that has passed since the offense, conduct and/or completion of the sentence; and the nature of the job sought may be taken into consideration. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor?

• I have been convicted of a felony
• I have been convicted of a misdemeanor
• I have been convicted of a felony and a misdemeanor
• I have not been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor

12
If you answered, that you have been convicted of a felony and/or a misdemeanor, please provide an explanation including the city, state and date of the conviction. This excludes minor traffic violations such as speeding tickets.
13
Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

14
Are you a US or Naturalized citizen or have lived in the US for 10 consecutive years?

• Yes
• No

15
Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.
16
Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

• Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee
• Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee
• No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

17
Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

• I am not a Veteran
• I am a Veteran
• I am a Disabled Veteran

Required Question