Communication Operator III

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office•Sarasota, FL

About The Position

The Communication Operator III (Call Taker) answers emergency and non-emergency calls and accurately gathers, records, evaluates, and relays information from citizens and public safety personnel to the appropriate people and agencies. Operators must make timely, accurate decisions, prioritize calls, and work effectively as part of a team, including under stressful conditions. The role requires a professional, courteous, and helpful approach with callers, clear and concise communication, and the ability to anticipate the information responders need. Operators must have thorough knowledge of the geography served by the public safety agencies supported by the Emergency Operations Bureau. Duties include operating telephone consoles and computer systems, including NCIC/FCIC and PSC/CAD; dispatching appropriate personnel; routing calls and requesting assistance from other agencies; tracking and monitoring personnel; processing wrecker requests and maintaining related files; notifying agencies and supervisors of robberies and priority events; and informing supervisors about events and activities in progress. Operators also complete assigned work, maintain work areas, follow general orders, and utilize available resources. Training begins with a paid six-week classroom academy, including one week of EMD/EFD certification training, followed by 16 weeks of field training. Operators work eight-hour shifts during the academy and move to 12-hour shifts upon completion. During the first year, operators receive 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator, Florida, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Emergency Fire Dispatch, and CPR certifications. The 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator Training Program must be completed and the Florida Certification exam passed within 11½ months of appointment. The Emergency Operations Bureau operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Shift assignments may include weekends, holidays, on-call duty, hurricanes, evacuations, and other state emergencies. After the academy, operators must be flexible to work 12-hour day or night shifts; shift assignment depends on agency needs, and employees may bid for a desired shift every six months based on seniority. The posting states an expected next academy date of March 2027.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 18 years of age.
Associate degree or equivalent, or successful completion of the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test. The posting also states the agency requires employees to have an associate degree, 60 equivalent hours from an accredited college or university, or the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test.
Complete the 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator Training Program and pass the Florida Certification exam within 11½ months of appointment.
Ability to think clearly and act promptly in emergencies and under pressure.
Ability to speak clearly and distinctly and turn disconnected or rambling information into concise, accurate messages.
Thorough knowledge of the geography of the jurisdictions served by the public safety agencies supported by the EOB.
Ability to work well as part of a team and perform multiple tasks, including under stressful conditions.
Flexibility to work 12-hour day or night shifts, including weekends, holidays, on-call duty, and emergency operations as needed.
Submit all required application documents or provide an attachment marked N/A or the status of unavailable documents. The listed documents include a driver's license with current address, signed Social Security card, birth certificate, high school diploma/GED, college transcript, DD214 Member-4, name-change documents, FDLE certification documents for certified positions, and official arrest/charge documents.
If selected for processing, submit to a comprehensive background investigation, polygraph examination, medical examinations, drug and tobacco screening, and psychological examination.

Responsibilities

Answer emergency and non-emergency telephone calls.
Listen accurately to callers and record information provided by citizens and public safety personnel.
Analyze and prioritize calls, make timely decisions, and relay information to appropriate personnel or agencies.
Operate telephone consoles/CML, the NCIC/FCIC computer, and the PSC/CAD computer.
Dispatch appropriate personnel for service, route calls to the proper agency, and request assistance from other agencies.
Track and monitor appropriate personnel.
Process wrecker requests and maintain wrecker files.
Notify agencies and the floor supervisor of robberies and priority events.
Inform supervisors of events and activities in progress.
Complete assignments as directed, maintain work areas, follow general orders, and utilize available resources.
Communicate clearly and concisely, maintain a professional and courteous demeanor, and provide helpful customer service, including under stressful conditions.