Job Description

Position: 9-1-1 Telecommunicator

Definition of Class

• The Erie County Department of Public Safety is currently accepting applications for the position of 9-1-1 Telecommunicator.
• Working as a 9-1-1 Telecommunicator is an exciting career that offers secure full-time employment while allowing you to directly serve your community. This is an entry-level position responsible for answering and processing emergency calls-for-service, subsequent dispatch of emergency service providers, and providing pre-arrival instructions to callers in emergency situations (i.e. CPR instructions).
• As a 9-1-1 Telecommunicator, you will be an Erie County Government employee which comes with excellent benefits such as:
• Health Care, Dental & Vision Insurance – low cost, health care (Highmark or UPMC) for both individuals and families.
• A pension plan – fully vested after five years of service
• Paid time off – first year employees receive 40 hours of personal time, 48 hours of vacation time and 120 hours of sick time (prorated based on start date).
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program
• Holiday Pay – 13 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday (employee’s birthday)
• This job has four classifications, based on education, training and experience including opportunity for career growth and advancement.
• Telecommunicator I: $15.75/hour
• Telecommunicator II: $16.68/hour
• Telecommunicator III: $17.70/hour
• Telecommunicator IV: $18.75/hour
• Scheduled overtime increases the base annual salary $3,275-$3,900 per year.
• An ideal candidate will:
• Have a willingness to learn – each employee is required to successfully complete our paid training program, which includes both academic and on-the-job training, within three months of employment.
• Have open availability – our telecommunicators work 12 hour shifts and each employee must be able to work either shift (6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. / 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.). This schedule enables employees to work less scheduled days a week and enables everyone to have a scheduled three-day weekend off every other weekend.
• Have the ability to multi-task and pay great attention to detail.
• Always be up for a challenge as they embark on this rewarding career.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Answers 9-1-1 calls and other calls-for-service requesting assistance, ensuring the proper, timely and accurate information is entered into our computer-aided dispatch system for the subsequent dispatch of the appropriate emergency service providers.
• Dispatch of emergency service providers (EMS, Fire or Police) to the location of the emergency and monitor their activities as needed to provide additional support by coordinating all radio transmissions between emergency service providers.
• Operates the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)/Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) to conduct inquiries, entries and/or communications messages requested by sworn law enforcement personnel.
• The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Must possess good listening skills.
• Must posses clear, distinct and fluent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must posses good decision making skills.
• Must be able to acquire multi-tasking skills.
• Must be able to remain calm in stressful situations, and react quickly to emergency situations. Must be able to read, comprehend and adhere to established county and/or departmental policy, procedures and training manuals.
• Must possess high moral standards, integrity, impartiality and good judgment in dealing with the general public and emergency service providers.
• Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time with intermittent break periods to carry out duties and responsibilities on a daily basis.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Basic computer literacy.
• High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous 9-1-1 / Dispatch experience.
• Previous call center or customer service experience.

Conditions Of Employment

• Must pass a criminal background check.
• Must pass alcohol and drug testing.
• Must successfully pass all requirements to attain the certifications necessary to complete the training program for the position within 3 months.
• Satisfactory completion of continuing education courses, associated examinations and maintaining certification requirements is a prerequisite for continued employment.
• *All training is paid and provided by the county at no cost to employees.