Public Safety Telecommunicator

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):
High school diploma or GED, and a minimum of one (1) year of experience as a Public Safety call taker, dispatcher or telecommunicator; or a current Buncombe County Call Taker that has completed all the trainings under that classification. 

The purpose of this position is responsible and timely operation of communication equipment to receive and transmit emergency calls for the Buncombe County Emergency Services Department. 
 

• Receiving emergency and non-emergency calls from the public through the emergency telephone system

• Obtaining pertinent information from callers to determine the nature and location of the emergency

• Prioritizing and dispatching calls for service for all three emergency service disciplines (fire, police, and medical)

• Handling radio requests from emergency response units

• Maintaining location and status information of emergency response units

• Maintaining accurate and timely records

• Providing information or referral options to the public as requested

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of rules, regulations, and procedures, including safety procedures, such as CPR and first aid.

• Knowledge of telecommunications systems, which may include transmission, broadcasting, and switching systems, and computerized databases, including teletype operations and procedures.

• Knowledge of basic dispatch codes, as well as standard abbreviations and industry terminology commonly used by emergency medical services and law enforcement agencies.

• Knowledge of the geographical layout of the County as to location of streets, important buildings, and other landmarks.

• Ability to use logic and reasoning to reach conclusions and approaches to problems.

• Ability to use judgment and decision-making skills to evaluate situations, establish priorities, and resolve matters.

• Ability to work in stressful situations.

• Ability to actively listen and communicate effectively through clear speech and hearing.

• Ability to establish priorities and pass on information as needed.

• Ability to elicit information necessary for proper dispatching from persons who may be distressed.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations.

• Ability to speak clearly, distinctly, and professionally.

• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public.

• Ability to maintain files, records, and reports.

• Interact with other employees, customers, and partners in an effective manner, with professionalism and cultural competency; work effectively and efficiently as a team contributor including interacting and communicating clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.

• Maintain knowledge of the agency organizational rules, policies, procedures, services, and mission.

• Plan, prioritize, and organize work effectively to produce quality work with measurable results and within identified deadlines; Function in highly stressful circumstances and demonstrate the ability to adapt to changing priorities, deadlines, and directions; ability to maintain calm demeanor while dealing with stressful situations and customers.

• Demonstrate the County’s core values through performance and conduct. This expectation extends beyond the workplace and County systems to include off-site, and off-duty conduct that undermines an employee’s creditability as a representative of the County; Conduct business in an ethical manner at all times while maintaining a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

• Coordinate work efforts with other employees and organizations to accomplish a common task; responsible for managing matters affecting employment and completing personnel-related activities timely and according to County policy.

• Safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with ADAAA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.

• Maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with ADAAA, FMLA and other federal state and local standards.

• Ability to successfully pass a drug screening, criminal background check, and pre-employment psychological evaluation.

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that is representative of our diverse community. If you are interested in this position but are not certain if you meet the exact qualification requirements, we encourage you to apply. Buncombe County uses a substantial equivalency standard to determine if applicants are qualified--this means candidates are not required to have degrees or formal education if they have relevant work experience.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.