Emergency Communication Specialist I

Douglas County, Colorado•Castle Rock, CO

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Emergency Communications Specialist I (ECS I) is a vital, entry-level position focused exclusively on emergency and non-emergency call taking—the single most critical foundation for building a successful career in public safety communications. Classified as a first responder, an ECS I serves as the primary link between the public and emergency services, mastering emergency call processing and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD). The role calls for confident, dependable individuals who take initiative and make rapid, well-reasoned decisions in demanding, high-pressure situations. Success in this position requires composure, adaptability, and unwavering resilience under stress.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 18 years of age
Valid Colorado driver’s license.
Ability to pass qualifying physical exams, polygraph, psychological and background investigation.
Obtain required CCIC/NCIC, NENA Core Competencies, CPR and EMD certifications within 6 months of hire.
Ability to manage, process, and respond to multiple simultaneous emergency requests with composure and precision.
Ability to make rapid, sound decisions during high-stress situations, exercising critical thinking when standard operating procedures (SOPs) do not explicitly apply, in consultation with supervisors.
Ability to communicate effectively with frantic, distressed, or irate callers to de-escalate situations and extract vital, actionable information quickly.
Ability to interpret maps and apply comprehensive knowledge of local geography to guide field units and ensure accurate, timely dispatching.
Ability to recall names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places.
Ability to type accurately at a speed sufficient for real-time emergency recording, meticulously proofreading entries to ensure critical data integrity.
Ability to express information clearly and professionally in both verbal and written formats across emergency and routine contexts.
Ability to maintain sharp audio-visual perception to simultaneously monitor multiple computer screens (varying fonts/colors), process multiple concurrent audio streams, and operate radio equipment via headset.
Ability to maintain regular predictable attendance.
A reliable form of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities is required.
Ability to work all shifts in a 24/7 operation including: nights, weekends, holidays, on-call and mandatory overtime.
The successful applicant must be able to perform ALL of the above job functions, unassisted, and at a pace and level of performance consistent with actual job requirements.

Responsibilities

Answer, evaluate, and prioritize incoming calls for law enforcement, fire, EMS, and partner agencies, assessing situational urgency with speed and composure.
Apply Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) protocols to deliver critical pre-arrival medical instructions to callers until first responders arrive on scene.
Utilize computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems, advanced location tracking tools, radio systems, and paging equipment to accurately log and dispatch emergency requests.
Access state and national law enforcement databases (NCIC/CCIC) to accurately query and enter critical data regarding warrants, license plates, driving records, and stolen property.
Provide guidance, information, and proper agency transfers for non-emergency public inquiries.
Attend daily briefings to stay informed on ongoing activities, relaying unusual or high-risk situations to supervisors promptly.
Represent the agency during community outreach, public education events, and public speaking engagements as needed.
Demonstrate knowledge, and exemplify the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and professionalism both on and off duty, aligning with the values of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and DR911.
Maintain confidentiality at all times for citizens, emergency responders, and employees defined under HIPPA.
Perform other related duties as assigned to support daily agency operations.