Public Safety Telecommunicator

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office•Pinellas County, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

When help is needed, you’re the critical link managing communications between a caller and first responders. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is seeking qualified candidates for Public Safety Telecommunicator. As a Public Safety Telecommunicator, you will serve as the vital link between citizens in need and the first responders who provide assistance. From answering phone calls and dispatching resources, to monitoring radio traffic and supporting deputies in the field, this position plays a critical role in public safety and community service. The ideal candidate remains calm under pressure, communicates clearly, and can effectively gather critical information from individuals experiencing stressful or emergency situations. They possess strong multitasking and problem-solving skills, can quickly prioritize competing demands, and are comfortable utilizing multiple computer systems and communication tools simultaneously. Successful candidates are team-oriented professionals who thrive in a fast-paced environment and understand the importance of accuracy, attention to detail, and exceptional customer service. All candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be required to successfully complete the CritiCall pre-employment assessment, which measures the multitasking, data entry, decision-making, memory recall, and communication skills necessary to succeed in a public safety communications environment. Once hired, members receive extensive training and support designed to set them up for success. Training begins with call taker classroom instruction, followed by on-the-job call-taker training with a Communications Training Officer (CTO), and concludes with a shadow phase to assess skills and readiness to progress through the program. Upon completion of call taker training, members advance to radio dispatch training, which includes dispatch classroom instruction, on-the-job training dispatch training with a CTO and concludes with another shadow phase before release from the training program. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day while serving alongside dedicated law enforcement professionals. If you are looking for a rewarding career where no two shifts are the same and your work directly supports public safety, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

High School graduation or equivalent diploma from an institution accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) or licensed as a degree granting institution by the Commission for Independent Education
Possess a current Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification in the State of Florida Or must be able to successfully complete classroom instruction and pass the State of Florida Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification Examination within 12 months of hire
Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license
Knowledge of 10-Codes and Signals
Knowledge of the geography of the County
Computer skills to enter and retrieve information from applicable computer systems, ensuring accuracy in entering data and retrieving information in a timely manner
Ability to elicit critical information from sick, injured, and/or highly emotional individuals, who may be in a stressful or life-threatening situation
Ability to accurately and rapidly carry out requests for information from deputies in the field
Time management skills to organize and prioritize inquiries, calls for service, tasks and special assignments
Interpersonal skills to demonstrate a congenial, respectful and productive behavior and attitude towards others in a working relationship and under difficult situations
Ability to think and speak clearly in emergency and nonemergency situations
Ability to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace
Visual acuity of 20/30 vision standard in each eye; if corrective lenses must be used to satisfy 20/30 vision standard, uncorrected vision should be no worse than 20/100 in each eye
Must pass hearing with less than or equal to 40 decibels in each ear under the frequencies: 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz and 2,000 Hz

Nice To Haves

Consideration given for relevant experience

Responsibilities

Answers emergency and nonemergency calls from the public
Dispatches calls for service via a computer or voice determining the priority of the call, who and what type of response is warranted
Monitors multiple radio channels for officer safety and timely response to calls for service
Provides information to law enforcement personnel on warrants, driver’s license data, vehicle registration, property ownership, criminal histories and verification of identities, etc. by querying various law enforcement databases
Communicates with other members or agencies via phone or electronic messaging on nonemergency calls and requests for information or services, such as forensics, K-9, flight, wreckers, etc.
Generates and broadcasts BOLO (Be On The Lookout) announcements by radio and/or electronic means
Retrieves information and confirms the information retrieved is relevant and takes action
Regular and reliable attendance is required as an essential function of the position
This position is considered essential and, in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, will be required to report to work
Participates in Sheriff’s Office recruitment and community relations activities as directed