Communication Operator III

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office • Sarasota, FL

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) is seeking a Communication Operator III. This role involves answering emergency and non-emergency telephones, accurately recording and relaying information from citizens and public safety personnel, and making quick, accurate decisions under pressure. The operator is the crucial link between responders and help, and often the primary contact between citizens and help, representing the department to the public. The position requires a desire to be helpful, the ability to think clearly and act promptly in emergencies, maintain a professional demeanor, speak clearly and distinctly, and formulate concise messages from potentially disconnected information. A successful candidate will have an inquiring mind, a desire to learn, thorough knowledge of the geography of the served jurisdictions, and initiative in customer service. The Emergency Operations Bureau (EOB) operates 24/7, requiring flexibility in shift assignments, including weekends, holidays, and potential on-call duties during emergencies. Newly hired applicants applying between November 15 and May 31, 2026, are eligible for a $2,000 hiring bonus, distributed after completing field training and after one year of employment.

Requirements

• High School Diploma
• At least 18 years of age
• Associate's Degree or equivalent OR successfully complete the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test (Verbal - 248, Quantitative - 241 for civilians).
• Must successfully complete the 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator Training Program and pass the Florida Certification exam within 11 ½ months of appointment.
• Must be able to perform multiple tasks, at times under stressful conditions.
• Must be able to think clearly and act promptly in emergencies and under pressure.
• Must be able to speak clearly and distinctly.
• Must have thorough knowledge of the geography of the jurisdictions covered by the public safety agencies the EOB serves.
• Must maintain a professional demeanor.
• Must be self-motivated and work well as a part of a team.
• Must be flexible and able to work 12-hour shifts including day shift (0700-1900) or night shift (1900-0700).
• Must be willing to submit to a comprehensive background investigation, polygraph examination, medical examinations, drug and tobacco screening, and psychological examination.
• Must agree to have a background investigator review any social networking websites.

Nice To Haves

• Desire to be helpful, even with unreasonable or difficult individuals.
• Ability to reduce rambling and formulate disconnected information into concise and accurate messages.
• An inquiring mind, a desire to learn, and a desire to do a good job.
• Customer service initiative to do more than just what is required when a usual procedure does not provide a solution to a problem.
• Recognition of the importance of the job.
• Courtesy and a businesslike manner.
• Predisposition towards public safety work; ability to think like a field unit and anticipate information needs.

Responsibilities

• Answer emergency and non-emergency telephones.
• Listen accurately and record information provided by citizens, police, fire, and medical personnel.
• Accurately relay information to the appropriate person.
• Analyze and evaluate each situation individually, treating callers impartially and fairly.
• Complete assignments as directed.
• Maintain work areas.
• Process wrecker requests and maintain wrecker files.
• Utilize resources.
• Track and monitor appropriate personnel.
• Route calls to the proper agency.
• Respond and request assistance from other agencies.
• Prioritize calls.
• Operate telephone consoles/CML.
• Operate NCIC/FCIC computer.
• Operate the PSC computer/CAD.
• Notify agencies/floor supervisor of robberies and priority events.
• Dispatch appropriate personnel for service.
• Inform supervisors of events and activities in progress.

Benefits

• $2,000 hiring bonus for new hires applying between November 15 and May 31, 2026 ($1,000 after field training, $1,000 after one year of employment).
• Agency paid training academy.
• Certifications in 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator Florida Certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification (EMD), Emergency Fire Dispatch Certification (EFD), and CPR Certification during the first year of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree