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SEMINOLE COUNTY EMERGENCY FIRE/EMS COMMUNICATIONS 150 BUSH BLVD SANFORD, FLORIDA 32773 (407)665-7946 http://www.Seminolecountyfl.gov
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Updated: September 07, 2023
Job Classification: Emergency Communications Dispatcher
Interested candidates should complete their ECOMM National Test, ECOMM Computer Simulations, and their typing test via NTN after successfully passing the interview. All test results should be forwarded to the Seminole County Fire Department.
Currently, there are limited physical testing sites open in Florida. It is recommended the test be completed virtually online.
Interested candidates may complete a job application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seminolecountyfl
Description:
Answers incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for service via phone, text, and radio(s). Provides emergency medical dispatch instructions to incoming callers. Dispatches Fire-Rescue units to a wide variety of emergency situations, communicates via radio to units and processes the calls by producing detailed logs of transmissions to and from the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) and units in the field, makes notifications to key staff, partner agencies, personnel, and field units. Provides optimum customer service to callers under significant emotional strain and stress. Utilizes several location-based software programs to assist with the location of callers and field units.
Emergency Communication Dispatcher Career Pathway:
Emergency Communication Trainee – Tier I Successfully complete 6-month county probation period
$37,044.00/yr
Emergency Communications Dispatcher Tier II Complete in-house state-certified 4-week training academy; Attend and successfully pass an Emergency Medical Dispatch Course
$38,896.00/yr
Emergency Communications Dispatcher Tier III 160-240 hours of radio dispatch training; successfully obtained Public Safety Telecommunicator certification; pass Emergency Communications Dispatch exam parts 1 and 2 with an 80% or higher
$41,618.00/yr
Emergency Communications Dispatcher Tier IV 240-300 hours of radio training; meets or exceeds dispatch average of 30 seconds; pass the Emergency Communications Dispatch Exam part 3 with an 80% or higher
$44,947.00/yr
*∗Salaries are not inclusive of any automatic overtime. The typical schedule is 2,184 hours annually.
Additional Incentives:
· Night Differential
· On-Call Pay
· Communications Training Officer
Other Potential Career Path Opportunities:
· Certified Communication Training Officer
· Assistant Shift Supervisor
· Shift Supervisor
· Training Coordinator
Benefits:
Annual leave and sick leave, paid holidays, group health insurance (medical, dental, & vision), Employees Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, Florida Retirement System, and Deferred Compensation plans.
Department Overview:
Seminole County is the 13th largest County in the State of Florida by population with a total population of approximately 450,000 residing in approximately 350 square miles North of Orlando. Seminole County's Fire Department, with its partner cities, provides fire protection, rescue, and emergency medical services for visitors and residents. Combined City and County fire rescue resources currently number approximately 700 employees delivering service from 31 fire stations. All Departments provide advanced life support emergency medical services and transport. The ECC, under the direction of the Seminole County Fire Department (SCFD), currently employs 34 Public Safety Telecommunicators (PST) in a consolidated ECC that provides emergency assistance to 911 callers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Job Requirements
Academy Certification: With the Department’s assistance, employees must obtain the following certifications: CPR, T-CPR, Florida 911 Public Safety Telecommunication, International Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch, and International Academy of Emergency Fire Dispatcher certification within one year of hire. Maintaining these certifications is required for continued employment in the position.
Minimum Qualifications:
· High School Diploma/GED required
· Pass ECOMM testing standards - Previous testing scores within the last year will be accepted
· Must be able to Type min 35 wpm with typing test required
· Must be able to pass a background check
Essential Functions:
These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.
Provides customer service and lifesaving instructions to the citizens of Seminole County and internal customers. Dispatches and tracks fire/rescue units to various emergencies within the County.
Answers emergency and non-emergency calls via 9-1-1 phone system, Motorola radio system, and administrative telephone lines
Extracts necessary information from incoming calls, including evaluating calls to determine the nature and urgency of the call
Operates an advanced Fire/EMS Emergency Communication suite consisting of computer-aided dispatch (CAD), multiple computer terminals and monitors, multiple interfaced systems and applications, a computerized telephone system, and a Motorola radio system.
Requires multi-tasking , simultaneous typing (rapid keyboarding), talking on the radio, answering multiple telephone calls, and switching between computer screens and applications.
Utilize emergency medical and fire dispatching software to assess caller’s situation and provide lifesaving instruction when necessary while units are enroute.
Study and maintain familiarity with the locations and common place names of major roads, streets, industrial plants, county parks, and buildings in the County.
Responsible for dispatching the closets and most appropriate Fire/EMS unit(s).
Responsible for tracking the status and location of all fire apparatus and fire investigators
Transmits messages and information through various platforms to Fire/EMS units responding to calls.
Contacts outside agencies and other departments to coordinate aid (i.e., contacts utility companies to inform that wires are down or to arrange for electrical shutoffs, contacts the water services department to arrange for water turn-off, contacts law enforcement for police assistance).
Answers routine questions or refers calls to appropriate agencies on non-Fire/EMS inquiries.
Answers after-hours calls for various departments of the County.
Consults supervisor on non-routine matters.
Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
Additional Duties:
Performs other related work as required.
In the event of an emergency, all employees are considered essential personnel and may be required to perform alternate duties.
Must be willing to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, order-in, and community and natural disasters.
Additional Requirements:
Knowledge of or ability to learn Seminole County geography.
Knowledge of or ability to learn proper radio operation and dispatching procedures.
Ability to operate two-way radio equipment.
Ability to read maps.
Ability to operate a computerized multi-mode telephone system.
Ability to use good dictation and clear speaking voice, and deal with multiple situations simultaneously.
Ability to deal with the public in a compassionate and effective manner.
Ability to engage professionally with the general public, commanding officers, law enforcement, and other officials.
Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written form.
Ability to transition from periods of mental and physical inactivity to periods of intense and stressful mental and physical activity at a moment's notice.
Ability to follow oral and written directions.
Ability to display sound judgment and take decisive action.
Ability to process and respond to large amounts of information.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships.
Strong computer skills and ability to work with multiple software programs simultaneously.
Ability to remain calm and focused under emergency conditions.
Ability to adapt to physiological changes associated with spikes in adrenaline, including increased heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure.
Ability to answer multi-line telephone.
Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License.
All employees must attend Seminole County required trainings.
Department Specific trainings per position may be required.
Working Conditions:
The work environment for this position is a high-volume emergency call center setting. Work typically involves sitting at a desk answering a phone and dispatching calls on a radio for long periods of time.
Hiring Process:
1. Fill out an application online. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seminolecountyfl
2. If your application is selected, you will be contacted to schedule an interview.
3. After the interview, if selected to move forward, you will schedule with the National Testing Network to take the ECOMM exam at https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/.
a. If applicant has passed the exam in the past 12 months results may be submitted in lieu of retaking the exam.
After passing the National Testing Network exam and typing test applicants will be selected to move forward to background screening and possible further selection for the position.
