Telecommunicator

Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners•Orient Park, FL

1d•$21 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

This critical role serves as the vital communications link between public requests for help and a timely response by emergency services. The candidate must be able to work independently in a high-stress environment while receiving and evaluating incoming emergency, non-emergency, and administrative requests for emergency services. These services include but are not limited to fire and emergency medical services (EMS), triggering those requests for service, providing guidance and assistance to the public in life-safety situations, and coordinating appropriate responses to high risk, high-stress operations, with the objective of keeping all participants safe.

Requirements

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and professional working relationships with co-workers.
Able to use logic, critical thinking, and reasoning to reach conclusions and solve problems.
Ability to adhere to policy and procedure requirements that are stringent, rigorous, and unwavering, including confidentiality of information and trustworthiness while dealing with sensitive information.
Working knowledge of Windows-based software and various other computerized electronic, telecommunications equipment.
Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively; relay details accurately, listen actively, think, and act quick.
Skill in compiling and analyzing operational data and preparing and maintaining accurate records.
Skill in being dependable, self-motivated and team orientated.
Problem solving in dynamic situations.
Friendly and tactful personality.
Ability to follow instructions, spell correctly, and write clearly.
Ability to learn quickly and retain public safety and technology training materials.
Patience and resilience.
Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
Stress tolerance and adaptability.
Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate; AND
Must be able to work on a rotating schedule including nights, weekends, holidays to ensure 24/7 staffing; AND
Must be willing to be called back and held over to maintain minimum staffing 24/7.
No illegal drug use within the past 36 months or after 30 years of age.
No illegal drug sale.
No felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statement, or domestic violence.
Meet all medical, physical, and psychological requirements.
Obtain within the probationary period certification in First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Florida 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST), International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) Fire and Medical.

Responsibilities

Learn to receive and triage emergency and non-emergency calls from the public and internal sources.
Learn to operate communication equipment, including multi-line telephones, two-way radios, mapping software, and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems.
Learn to document incident details quickly and accurately to establish incident urgency, categorize the incident types, and obtain the proper help for the caller.
Learn to evaluate and prioritize calls based on urgency and established protocols.
Assist in dispatching appropriate fire, or emergency medical services under supervision.
Monitor and relay information to field units, ensuring timely and accurate communication.
Undergo structured training, including classroom instruction and on-the-job mentoring, to develop proficiency in all aspects of emergency communications.
Demonstrate clear and effective communications with active listening, call control, good judgement, and professional respect with callers that range from calm to panicked.
Learn to facilitate the transfer of calls to appropriate resources and perform conference calls with entities, such as but not limited to BLS providers, poison control centers or helicopter dispatch.
Complete training, certifications, recertifications and competencies as required for the Public Safety Telecommunicator position and completing continuing education and career development as assigned.
Learn to read and interpret geographical spatial data and maps quickly and accurately.
Work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required.
Become proficient with the use of TDD and relay services to comply with standards for handling calls from hearing impaired callers.
Maintain a calm demeanor under chaotic and stressful circumstances, multiple conversations, and frequently noisy environments.
Utilize language interpretation services.
Use text to 9-1-1 to communicate effectively with callers.
Performs other related duties as required.