Public Safety Communications Officer

County Of Albemarle•Charlottesville, VA

19h•$54,600 - $111,122•Onsite

About The Position

The Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) is recruiting for its November 2026 Academy class for the position of Public Safety Communications Officer (PSCO). The ECC provides comprehensive emergency communications services for Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville, and the University of Virginia, handling all 9-1-1 calls and serving as the central dispatch for local police, fire, and EMS agencies. The ECC is a nationally recognized center with CALEA Accreditation, an APCO National Certified Training Program, and Virginia Accredited Emergency Medical Dispatch Communications Center. The PSCO acts as the 'first, first responder,' receiving, processing, dispatching, and managing emergency and non-emergency requests in a fast-paced, technology-rich environment. This role involves exercising judgment in prioritizing responses, coordinating field responders, anticipating community needs, and managing incidents until responders arrive. The position requires performing 9-1-1 telecommunications work under stressful and emotionally challenging conditions. The role has progressive levels: PSCO-I (Call-taking), PSCO-II (Call-taking/Dispatch for one area), and PSCO-III (Call-taking/Multi-Disciplinary Dispatch).

Requirements

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED.
Completion of appropriate training prescribed by the Commonwealth of Virginia for this level of position.
Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Ability to obtain and maintain EMD, EFD, and EPD through International Academy of Emergency Dispatch certification within 90 days of hire.
General knowledge of the methods of operation of telecommunication equipment and systems.
Ability to work well in emergency situations.
Ability to work well in a stressful environment.
Ability to work shift work.
Ability to work well with the public, responder agencies and co-workers.
General knowledge of the geography, street and road systems and location of landmarks in the County, City and University of Virginia.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to convey information accurately, and to speak distinctly in stressful situations.
Ability to receive and process text, video, and other multi-media information which may contain sensitive, explicit, or emotionally challenging content.
Courtesy; tact.
Demonstrated ability to complete common job tasks while using a computer and multi-tasking.
Ability to satisfactorily complete the Communications Academy, Virginia Criminal Information Network/National Crime Information Center, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation for Telecommunicators.
Ability to successfully complete one year probationary period.
Ability to anticipate needs of field responders using guidance provided by policy and procedure.
PSCO-I is an entry-level position and requires no prior emergency communications experience.
PSCO-II requires demonstrated mastery (typically, minimum of one year) of PSCO I core functions and responsibilities.
PSCO-III requires demonstrated mastery (typically, minimum of two years) of PSCO I and PSCO II core functions and responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Prior work experience involving public contact and/or with an emergency response agency preferred.
Prior experience in like roles will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be utilized for PSCO-II/III placement.

Responsibilities

Receives emergency and non-emergency requests for service by telephone, text message, video, or other methods and determines appropriate response according to location and nature of problem and procedures of the department(s).
Provides pre-arrival and post-dispatch instructions.
Provides information to callers when in-person response by police, fire, or rescue agency is not warranted.
Transfers calls to Poison Control Center, surrounding jurisdictions' Emergency Communications Centers, or 9-8-8/Mental Health Crisis Centers; monitors transferred telephone calls to ensure pick-up and appropriate response.
Operates and enters information into the computer aided dispatch system.
Places outgoing calls to partner agencies to coordinate emergency and non-emergency response.
Completes required monthly training to ensure special procedures are reviewed with supervision.
Operates and enters information into the computer aided dispatch system.
Operates other related equipment, including voice recording units, telecommunication device for the hearing impaired, RIOS Interoperability System, Backup Telephone System, and NG-911 telephone system.
May assist with the training of new employees to include classroom and continuous on the job training.
Performs other related duties as required.
Operates and monitors multiple emergency radio frequencies for an assigned area of focus (Fire/EMS or Police).
Ensures that all call information is relayed to the responders and entered into the CAD record.
Maintains communications with responding emergency units to assist them in any manner necessary to complete proper response.
Relays vital information to field responders.
Prioritizes, dispatches, documents response and disposition of emergent and non-emergent requests for service, according to policy and procedures.
Operates and monitors local, state, and national weather and disaster warning and mass-notification systems.
Operates and monitors national and statewide criminal information network teletype system if area of focus is Police (not applicable for Fire/EMS).
Implements emergency call-out procedures as appropriate.
Performs related tasks as required
Maintains proficiency and ability to work all PCSO roles within the ECC including dispatch and monitoring response activities for police, sheriff, security, fire, EMS, mental health crisis teams, and others.
Manages the system status of assigned field response agency and keeps chiefs, commanders, and directors informed of notable changes.
Operates and monitors multiple emergency radio frequencies and talk groups.