Public Safety Telecommunicator

Sumter County Board of County Commissioners•Wildwood, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator receives and processes emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatches appropriate services, and maintains accurate records. The role requires clear communication, composure under pressure, and adaptability to changing technology and procedures. The telecommunicator determines the nature of a crisis from information provided by the public or emergency personnel and initiates appropriate action. Dispatch services cover Fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Animal Services, and after-hours support for government entities. The position operates in a fast-paced, high-call-volume environment and requires availability for flexible schedules, including evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, standby, and mandatory overtime. During emergencies, employees may be required to work outside their normal duties, location, or schedule and perform recovery duties as assigned. The employee must maintain regular physical attendance at an assigned County office or work facility.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.
Valid Florida Driver's License and a driving record acceptable to the insurance provider.
Ability to remain calm and react promptly in emergencies and make sound decisions under stress.
Ability to interact calmly with excited callers and obtain essential information.
Ability to speak clearly and deal with the public in a firm, courteous, tactful, and impartial manner.
Ability to maintain clear, accurate, and detailed accounts of operations.
Ability to learn and operate radio and telephone transmitting and receiving equipment.
Effective oral, written, listening, and visual communication skills.
Ability to operate a computer and related software programs and to transition among multiple programs and input devices.
Ability to follow established protocols and the chain of command, and maintain flexibility in a dynamic environment.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to sit at a console for extended periods.
Ability to reach communications control panels and reference materials in the communications center.
Acceptable vision and hearing, with or without correction.
Ability to walk, stand, bend, stoop, and operate a motor vehicle.
Required National Incident Management System (NIMS) certifications within six months of employment.
Florida Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification must be obtained and maintained within one year of employment.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification must be obtained and maintained within six months of employment.
Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification must be obtained and maintained within six months of employment.
Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) certification must be obtained and maintained within six months of employment.
Must be available for flexible schedules, including evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, standby, and mandatory overtime; all employees may be required to work before, during, or after an emergency.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience working in a fast-paced, high-call-volume commercial or government public safety dispatching or call-taking facility is preferred.
Knowledge of radio communications rules and regulations governing radio transmission.
Knowledge of basic radio receiving and transmitting operations, equipment, and proper radio and telephone procedures.
Knowledge of Sumter County geography, adjoining counties, roadway networks, major intersections, attractions, buildings, industries, and subdivisions.
Knowledge of basic medical and fire terminology.

Responsibilities

Answer and prioritize emergency and non-emergency calls, record information accurately, provide assistance, and transfer callers to other emergency response agencies when necessary under established procedures.
Coordinate with response units and maintain communications with Fire, EMS, and Animal Services units.
Monitor, receive, and broadcast calls on multiple radio talkgroups and dispatch units according to established procedures.
Provide reassurance, guidance, and scripted lifesaving pre-arrival instructions to callers until help arrives.
Apply approved protocols and decision-making rules to prioritize calls and allocate resources appropriately.
Operate communications and peripheral equipment, dispatch units, and enter records into a computer-aided dispatch system (CAD).
Use multiple software programs, keyboards, and mice to obtain and process information efficiently.
Maintain detailed and accurate records of calls and dispatches and document complaints or other issues as required.
Participate in ongoing training and skill development, meet continuing dispatch education requirements, and stay current with communication and emergency response technologies.
Work with public safety departments and other agencies to support effective emergency response.
Remain composed and professional during stressful situations and provide critical support and decision-making.
Meet service-level agreements or benchmarks established by best-practice organizations.
Participate in post-dispatch activities depending on incident severity.
Perform emergency or crisis response and recovery duties as assigned, including duties outside the usual role, location, or schedule.
Perform other job-related duties as requested.