What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications Operator position at Spotsylvania County?
Spotsylvania County is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace. Employees are prohibited from manufacturing, distributing, possessing or using controlled substances such as marijuana. A positive drug test result, confirmed use or impairment can be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination in accordance with our personnel policies.
A positive pre-employment drug test will also disqualify a candidate for hire.
General Statement of Job
Under general supervision, receives incoming phone calls to the communications center including emergency and non-emergency calls. Duties include prioritizing calls; obtaining essential information; determining proper method of handling calls; and preparing records of calls and dispatch information. Receives complaints and requests for information and assistance; provides general information and refers callers to appropriate agency or staff.
This position is essential. Personnel occupying this position may be scheduled to work regardless of weather conditions and/or when general County offices are closed. Applicants must be available to work Sunday through Saturday as needed.
Salary is commensurate on knowledge, skills, abilities and years of experience based on the Public Safety Step Pay Scale.
Special Duties & Responsibilities
High School Diploma or equivalent. Requires one (1) to two (2) years of experience as a receptionist in an environment with a high volume of calls and performing duties requiring typing or data entry; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Minimum typing speed of 35 wpm.
Must successfully pass a polygraph examination, background check, and drug screening.
Additional Requirements
The following programs offered by Spotsylvania County provide our employees with benefits that promote employee health, well-being and financial stability, now and in the future. The County's variety of comprehensive and competitive benefit programs* include:
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Life Insurance
Opt-Out Program
Paid Holidays
Paid Leave
Sick Leave Bank
Supplemental Insurance Plans
Tuition Assistance Program
Retirement Plan
Deferred Compensation - 457 Plans
Full Name (Last, First And Middle)
02
Permanent Address (Street, City, State And Zip Code)
03
Home Telephone Number (Include Area Code)
04
Business Telephone Number (Include Area Code)
05
Date And Place Of Birth
06
Social Security Number
07
Are you a U.S. Citizen?
Are you, or have you ever formerly been associated with any subversive organization? If yes, please explain:
09
Operator's License Number And State
10
Has your operator's license ever been suspended or revoked? If yes, please provide date and jurisdiction:
11
Have you ever been charged and/or convicted of any type of alcohol or drug related driving offense? If yes, please provide date and jurisdiction
12
Have you ever held an operator's license in another state? If yes, please list all locations:
13
Have You Ever Been Convicted Of Driving While Your License Was Suspended Or Revoked? If Yes, Please Provide Date And Jurisdiction
14
Have you ever been arrested and/or convicted of a felony? If yes, explain in detail:
15
Have you ever been arrested and/or convicted of domestic assault? If yes, explain in detail:
16
Have you at any time in the past five years used or possessed any illegal drugs? If yes, please list the drug, last date of use, and location.
17
Are you 18 years of age or older?
Have you ever used or possessed any of the following substances illegally which may include, but are not limited to, the following? (Select all that apply.)
If you used or possessed any of the above-stated substances, or any others, illegally please explain.
20
Have you ever been charged and/or convicted of any crimes of moral turpitude which would include, but are not limited to, crimes involving lying, cheating or stealing? If yes, please explain.
A positive pre-employment drug test will also disqualify a candidate for hire.
General Statement of Job
Under general supervision, receives incoming phone calls to the communications center including emergency and non-emergency calls. Duties include prioritizing calls; obtaining essential information; determining proper method of handling calls; and preparing records of calls and dispatch information. Receives complaints and requests for information and assistance; provides general information and refers callers to appropriate agency or staff.
This position is essential. Personnel occupying this position may be scheduled to work regardless of weather conditions and/or when general County offices are closed. Applicants must be available to work Sunday through Saturday as needed.
Salary is commensurate on knowledge, skills, abilities and years of experience based on the Public Safety Step Pay Scale.
Special Duties & Responsibilities
- Receives incoming calls to the communications center including emergency, non-emergency and Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD) calls. Obtains information pertaining to nature of the call (criminal offenses, accidents, fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, etc.); prioritizes call according to the nature and severity; and determines proper method of handling call.
- Elicits pertinent information regarding the nature and severity of the situation, its location and other essential information.
- Provides assistance to the caller by working to keep caller calm, providing CPR and other medical instructions as appropriate, and providing other information regarding the arrival of assistance, safety issues, etc.
- Provides information, answers questions and/or refers caller to appropriate staff or to appropriate department or agency, such as court offices, etc.
- Operates enhanced 911 and associated automated equipment; logs incoming calls and dispatch related information into an automated system; and maintains records of calls and dispatching activities.
- Answers administrative phone lines for Crime Solvers, Criminal Investigation Division, Civil Process, Warrants Division, Sheriff’s Office, and Fire/Rescue after hours.
- Notifies other agencies and personnel during emergencies or disaster situations as directed; and makes additional notification as required.
- Monitors various alarms to include County school system after hours and court system alarms after hours; ensures equipment’s readiness and functionality.
- Documents errors and performance problems with 911 system and other equipment; informs supervisor of problems with equipment and need for repair.
- Contacts wrecker services as appropriate.
- Monitors and conducts tests of the County’s natural warning and alarm system.
- Creates and maintains VCIN/NCIC Records for wanted person, missing persons, stolen/missing articles, and maintaining protective orders.
- Researches past calls for deputies to help obtain essential information for current call/paperwork.
- Trains new operators as needed.
- Performs on-call duties for the Sheriff's Office Emergency Communications Division.
- Performs other related duties as required.
High School Diploma or equivalent. Requires one (1) to two (2) years of experience as a receptionist in an environment with a high volume of calls and performing duties requiring typing or data entry; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Minimum typing speed of 35 wpm.
Must successfully pass a polygraph examination, background check, and drug screening.
Additional Requirements
- Must obtain DCJS certified Communications Basic Course within two (2) years.
- Must obtain NCIC/VCIN certification, CPR certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch certification and Emergency Fire Dispatch certification.
- Must complete ICS-100, ICS-700, ICS-907, and AWR-160.
- Must be able to pass, or meet, the training program competencies and on-the-job training standards to independently perform the duties of a Communications Operator.
The following programs offered by Spotsylvania County provide our employees with benefits that promote employee health, well-being and financial stability, now and in the future. The County's variety of comprehensive and competitive benefit programs* include:
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Life Insurance
Opt-Out Program
Paid Holidays
Paid Leave
Sick Leave Bank
Supplemental Insurance Plans
Tuition Assistance Program
Retirement Plan
Deferred Compensation - 457 Plans
- Some benefits are exclusive to full-time employees. To learn more, please contact the Department of Human Resources.
Full Name (Last, First And Middle)
02
Permanent Address (Street, City, State And Zip Code)
03
Home Telephone Number (Include Area Code)
04
Business Telephone Number (Include Area Code)
05
Date And Place Of Birth
06
Social Security Number
07
Are you a U.S. Citizen?
- Yes
- No
Are you, or have you ever formerly been associated with any subversive organization? If yes, please explain:
09
Operator's License Number And State
10
Has your operator's license ever been suspended or revoked? If yes, please provide date and jurisdiction:
11
Have you ever been charged and/or convicted of any type of alcohol or drug related driving offense? If yes, please provide date and jurisdiction
12
Have you ever held an operator's license in another state? If yes, please list all locations:
13
Have You Ever Been Convicted Of Driving While Your License Was Suspended Or Revoked? If Yes, Please Provide Date And Jurisdiction
14
Have you ever been arrested and/or convicted of a felony? If yes, explain in detail:
15
Have you ever been arrested and/or convicted of domestic assault? If yes, explain in detail:
16
Have you at any time in the past five years used or possessed any illegal drugs? If yes, please list the drug, last date of use, and location.
17
Are you 18 years of age or older?
- Yes
- No
Have you ever used or possessed any of the following substances illegally which may include, but are not limited to, the following? (Select all that apply.)
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Crack
- LSD
- Heroin
- Ecstacy
- Steroids
- PCP
- Mushrooms
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- None of the above
If you used or possessed any of the above-stated substances, or any others, illegally please explain.
20
Have you ever been charged and/or convicted of any crimes of moral turpitude which would include, but are not limited to, crimes involving lying, cheating or stealing? If yes, please explain.
- Required Question