What are the responsibilities and job description for the 911 Dispatcher(s)- Entry-level and Experienced position at Worcester County Government?
HIRING ENTRY-LEVEL AND EXPERIENCED 911 DISPATCHERS!
DEPARTMENT: EMERGENCY SERVICES
JOB TITLE: EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST TRAINEE
COMPENSATION: GRADE 14/STEP 1 $22.84 HOURLY / $47,507 ANNUALLY -
GRADE 14/STEP 5 $24.91 HOURLY / $51,813 ANNUALLY *
JOB TITLE: EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST I
COMPENSATION: GRADE 15/STEP 1 $23.86 HOURLY / $49,629 ANNUALLY -
GRADE 15/STEP 10 $29.02 HOURLY / $60,362 ANNUALLY *
JOB TITLE: EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST II
COMPENSATION: GRADE 17/STEP 1 $25.97 HOURLY / $54,018 ANNUALLY -
GRADE 17/STEP 10 $31.66 HOURLY / $65,853 ANNUALLY *
*EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED TO NIGHT SHIFT WILL RECEIVE A 5% SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL
- SALARY IS BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS, AND SALARY MAY BE HIGHER BASED ON EXPERIENCE
WORK LOCATION: WORCESTER COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER, ONE WEST MARKET
ST., SNOW HILL, MD
WORK SCHEDULE: INITIAL TRAINING PERIOD IS ON DAY SHIFT 8:00 AM TO 4:30 PM,
MONDAY - FRIDAY, FOR ABOUT A MONTH, AND THEN TRAINEES WILL
WORK A 2:30 PM-12:30 AM SHIFT, MONDAY-THURSDAY (4, 10-HR
DAYS), UNTIL THE TRAINING PERIOD IS COMPLETE. THERE WILL ALSO
BE SCHEDULED RIDE-ALONGS ON EVENING/NIGHT SHIFTS THAT
TRAINEES WILL NEED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR. (SUBJECT TO CHANGE
DEPENDING ON THE NEED)
ONCE TRAINING IS COMPLETED, SPECIALISTS WILL MOVE TO A
ROTATING SCHEDULE-
12-HOUR SHIFTS- DAYSHIFT: 6:30 AM- 6:30 PM, NIGHTSHIFT:
6:30PM- 6:30 AM, 2 DAYS ON, 2 DAYS OFF, 3 DAYS ON, 2 DAYS OFF, 2
DAYS ON, 3 DAYS OFF, THEN REPEAT; SCHEDULE ROTATION WORKS
EVERY OTHER WEEKEND, WITH ON-CALL AS A REQUIREMENT
- ADDITIONAL PAY WHILE ON CALL- $28.57/DAY
- MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR DAY AND NIGHT SHIFT
APPLICATION PERIOD: UNTIL FILLED
TO APPLY: OUR MAIN PAGE: WORCESTER COUNTY EMPLOYMENT OR
911 DISPATCHER(S)- ENTRY-LEVEL AND EXPERIENCED | WORCESTER
COUNTY GOVERNMENT CAREERS
JOB SUMMARY: This individual is responsible for receiving all calls for emergency services, which
include radio and telephones, and reports to their immediate Shift Lieutenant or Assistant Chief of
Communications but is ultimately responsible to the Director of Emergency Services.
• Safety Sensitive position subject to Drug and Alcohol Testing
- Essential personnel subject to emergency call-back with little or no notice. Subject to
- Must meet FBI and State of Maryland requirements for access to criminal justice information,
- Successfully pass a pre-qualifying computer dispatch test
- Successfully pass pre-employment background check, including fingerprinting, motor vehicle
- Successfully pass pre-employment physical examination
- Successfully pass pre-employment psychological testing
- Must be able to work weekends and holidays
- Must be able to work day shift and night shift
- Must maintain confidentiality and professionalism in high-stress environments
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Using training and policies, receive and process requests for emergency services; answering
them professionally, recognizing if a call is received from telephone, SMS/text, MMS/video,
TTY/TTD, or an automated data feed from telematic sensors
- Interpret sensor data, images, and verbally communicated information to triage, prioritize,
- Using knowledge of law enforcement, fire, and EMS protocols, prioritize and sequence calls
- Demonstrate clear and effective communications with internal and external customers,
- Provide pre-arrival medical, fire, and police instructions during high-stress situations,
- Manage challenging callers using appropriate handling of distressed, autistic, hearing-
- Provide direct counseling to suicidal persons, domestic violence victims, and children
- Ascertain incident information by obtaining and verifying caller information and location,
determining the nature of the incident, and all available data, including but not limited to
automated data, text, and multimedia messaging, and relaying that information to emergency
responders verbally and digitally
- Coordinate with language translation operators and crisis counselors on multi-party calls as
- Make use of sensor data, maps, and GIS resources to ascertain the location of an
addresses
- Operate complex public safety technology systems, inclusive of Computer Aided Dispatch
(CJIS/NCIC), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), teletypewriter (TTY), computer-based
call handling equipment (CHE), and complex computer-based and hardware radio consoles
- Notify key personnel of critical incidents, using judgment to determine the need to contact
needed, or relaying information regarding incidents for situational awareness
- Activate mass community warning and notification systems to inform the public of impending
safety events
- Manage chain of custody for records/documentation used in court proceedings and legal
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of procedures as outlined in the Standard Operating
- Maintain certification in Miles, CJIS, NCIC EMD, EPD, and EFD along with CPR/AED training
- Maintain security procedures for 911 Center and Department Offices
- Cross-train and back up other staff as needed
- Complete assigned tasks accurately and by established deadlines
- Establish and maintains harmonious working relationships with co-workers, elected or
appointed officials, and the general public using tact, discretion, sound judgment, and
professionalism
- Comply with the safety programs, procedures, training, fire drills, COOP plans, etc.
- Ensure confidentiality of information and records and complies with record retention schedule
- Comply with the Worcester County Government Personnel Rules & Regulations and safety
- Perform additional duties as required by the Department Head, Assistant Chief of
Communications, and Administrative Staff
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EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST TRAINEE
• High school diploma or GED
- US Citizenship to comply with FBI and State of Maryland requirements
- Ability to type 35 wpm
- Must acquire the following certifications within 18 months of employment: National Crime
Information Center, Maryland Inter-Agency Law Enforcement System, National Academy
Emergency Dispatch, Medical, Fire and Police Protocols, Emergency Telecommunicator,
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and basic National Incident Management System training
- Must be able to receive, retain, and transfer information during extremely stressful situations
- Must be computer literate and have good typing skills
- Must be able to work shift work, weekends, and holidays
- Knowledge of the geography of Worcester County
- Familiar with office equipment, i.e., fax, copier, and personal computer
- Computer skills, including Microsoft products and word processing software
- All applicants must successfully complete pre-hire testing prior to interview
- Able to work with coworkers and the public professionally, respectfully, and harmoniously
- Criminal background check and fingerprints required if selected to move forward in the hiring
- Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions; keep records and logs; complete written
forms; and communicate effectively with the public and coworkers. Ability to apply acquired
knowledge to increasingly varied and complex tasks and perform multiple tasks
simultaneously
- Ability to sit for long periods of time, speak clearly and concisely and work under stressful
- Ability to speak on a radio professionally
- Ability to multitask – listening on the phone or radio while typing on the computer
- Ability to work in an open office environment
***************************************************************************************************************
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST I
Has the same duties, qualifications, and skills as an Emergency Communications Specialist
Trainee, plus the following:
- Specialist Trainee will be considered for advancement to this position after successfully
completing the 18-month probationary period and having successfully completed all the
above-mentioned basic training classes
- Receive and dispatch emergency calls, including police, fire, ambulance, and other agencies
- Route administrative and non-emergency calls and walk-in messages
- Write reports relating to emergencies
- Conduct periodic testing of communications equipment
- Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of Standard Operating Policies and Procedures (SOPS)
- Maintain certification in MILES, CJIS, and NCIC training
- Work with minimal supervision
***************************************************************************************************************
Has the same duties, qualifications, and skills as Emergency Communications Specialist I, plus the
following:
- Emergency Communication Specialist I’s will be considered for advancement to this position
after 3 years’ service and having successfully shown above-average performance, and has
completed required training
- Has limited decision-making authority
- May serve as acting lead on the shift in the absence of an Emergency Communications
- Train new employees; participate in and lead daily and in‑service training
- Maintain additional certification requirements, including Certified Training Officer (CTO)
SAFETY ANALYSIS:
(Rarely (<5% of the time), Occasional (5-25% of the time), Frequent (25-75% of the time);
Constant (<75% of the time)
Sedentary work; constant sitting/standing for at least 12-hour shifts, work in a dimly lit room
viewing multiple computer monitors and screens simultaneously; frequent talking on the phone or
radio and with coworkers; constant listening on a headset and radio and to coworkers in the room
simultaneously; Occasional pushing, pulling, carrying, lifting up to 10 lbs. Work in a room with
flashing lights, strobe lights, and multiple types of sound simultaneously. Frequent exposure to
stressful situations resulting from interacting with individuals in crisis situations.
To apply, please visit: Worcester County Employment
Worcester County Government Benefits Information
Worcester County Government offers its employees a comprehensive benefits package, including
medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, holidays, retirement plans, and much more! To
learn more details about our full range of benefits, please view our Benefits Guide at
Worcester_Guide_2026.pdf
Paid Time Off
Full time employees can accrue up to 248 hours of paid time off in the first year of employment
starting on the first full pay period. This includes up to 80 hours of vacation, up to 120 hours of sick,
and up to 48 hours of personal leave. The accrual for vacation increases after 6 years and 11 years.
Unused vacation and sick leave can be rolled over annually as outlined in the policy details. Full
time employees are granted 15 paid holidays in calendar year 2026.
Medical Benefits
Full time employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account(s), and
AFLAC voluntary plans on the first day of the month after date of hire. Please visit our on-line
Benefits Guide at the link above for additional details about the plans, co-pays, and premiums.
Full time employees are eligible for county paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance on
the first day of the month following six months of employment.
Retirement
All employees budgeted for 500 hours, or more will automatically participate in Maryland State
Retirement effective on the date of hire, if not already retired from a Maryland State Retirement
system. All employees are eligible to participate in a deferred compensation plan that offers pre-tax
and ROTH contribution options. The county provides a $1 for $1 match of employee’s contributions
up to a maximum of $1,500 per fiscal year as outlined in the plan documents.
Part Time Employees
Part time employees are eligible to participate in the deferred compensation plan on the first day of
the month after date of hire. Part time employees are eligible to earn 1 hour for every 30 hours
worked of sick leave (up to 64 hours). Sick leave can be taken after a 106-day waiting period.
Extras for All Employees
All employees are eligible to use the Fitness Room at the Worcester County Recreation Center at no
cost. All employees have access to an Employee Assistance Program that provides telephone
consultations and up to 3 face-to-face visits per year. All employees are eligible for SECU credit
union membership.
For more information, please view our Benefits Guide at Worcester_Guide_2026.pdf or call
Human Resources at 410-632-0090.
Salary : $1,500 - $65,853