Communications Specialist (911 Call Taker)

General Description
The Seminole County Sheriff's Office is now accepting pre-screen questionnaires for the position of COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, a position that performs in the role of a 911 Call-taker.
The Sheriff's Office offers a competitive benefits package including retirement benefits under the Florida Retirement System (FRS), paid medical/dental/life insurance, generous leave accrual, wellness benefits, education incentives and assistance and eleven (11) paid holidays per year.
Following completion of a one (1) year probationary period and successful completion of the agency's established training processes and criteria, employees have the opportunity to advance to a Public Safety Telecommunicator I (PST I/ Dispatcher) at a minimum of $20.57 per hour.
This position is responsible for handling 911 Calls and incoming non-emergency calls for service. Provides optimum customer service to callers under significant emotional strain and stress. Performs effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
REQUIRED DOCUMENT
Each applicant must complete a NOTARIZED Background Investigation Waiver (Download PDF reader). Failure to submit this document will disqualify your application. The waiver must be notarized and submitted with the pre-screen application. A link for the form has been provided in red above.
This position is open until filled.
Typical Duties
Note: Listed functions, duties, responsibilities and skills are not intended to be all-inclusive and the employer reserves the right to assign additional responsibilities as deemed necessary for the operational efficiency of the Sheriff's Office.

• Receives all incoming telephone calls for emergency law enforcement and Fire Rescue services within unincorporated Seminole County and designated cities
• Routes calls to the proper authority, including processing Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) calls
• Receives incoming non-emergency calls and routes to the proper authority or provides caller with requested information
• Receives complaints over the telephone; secures appropriate information from the caller; refers complaint via computer system to the dispatcher for processing
• Relays information and messages to field personnel as required
• Responds to inquiries from field personnel as to vehicle license tags, driver's license information, vehicle registrations, warrants, names, criminal histories, and special services information such as wrecker services, technicians, and K-9 support
• Utilizes cross-reference materials and documents for transmittal of accurate locations

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED
• Must be able to type 30 correct words per minute. A typing test is required as part of the pre-screening process
• Must submit to the Criticall test. This will test an applicant on decision making, memory recall, map reading, reading comprehension, spelling and data entry skills.
• Must obtain a State of Florida 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification within one (1) year
• Must obtain F/NCIC and CPR certification within six (6) months of employment
• Internal applicants must have completed the Seminole County Sheriff's Office one (1) year probationary period
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License
• Must be willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Mandatory attendance may be required for coverage during community and natural disasters

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other

• Knowledge of county geography
• Knowledge of telephone answering techniques
• Knowledge of governmental agencies and community service agencies at a sufficient level to direct callers to the appropriate authority
• Ability to communicate verbally in a distinct, clear, concise, controlled, and pleasant manner in a wide variety of circumstances with good diction in a well-modulated voice
• Ability to type at sufficient speed to accurately complete information for computer-aided dispatch system
• Ability to simultaneously communicate, interpret and enter data into a computer terminal with speed and accuracy
• Ability to understand oral and written instructions
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in a variety of life-threatening and emergency situations
• Ability to sit for long periods of time
• Ability to wear department issued headset equipment
• Ability to work any shift
• Ability to handle irate and hysterical callers in a calm, courteous, and professional manner
• Ability to work under stress and exercise discretion and independent judgment in a variety of situations
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and an economically and ethnically diverse general public

WORKING CONDITIONS
The work environment for this position is in a high volume call center. The incumbent generally performs work in a sedentary position and wearing a headset is required. Incumbents may be exposed to information that may be violent in nature. The incumbent may be required to work any schedule that fulfills the needs of the position. PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES REQUIREMENTS
Mobility-Frequent sedentary work; constant use of a computer;
Visual-Constant overall vision; constant color perception, constant eye-hand coordination; constant depth perception; frequent reading/close-up work; constant field of vision/peripheral;
Dexterity-Frequent repetitive motion and reaching; Foot and hand coordination;
Hearing/Talking-Constant requirement to hear normal speech; constant hearing on telephone and radio; ability to hear faint sounds; constant talking on telephone/radio;
Emotional/Psychological-Potential telephone contact with hostile individuals; exposure to emergency situations; may be exposed to trauma, grief and death; frequent public contact; decision-making and concentration;
Special Requirements-Ability to behave respectably and with utmost integrity even when off duty. Shift work (days or nights) with rotating days off including working weekends, nights, holidays, and/or overtime; May be required to respond for any critical incident, manmade or natural.