Telecommunicator (25-01)

Tentative Class Start: June 2025

Deadline to apply: April 20, 2025

Deadline to pass Criticall: April 27, 2025

Salary: Telecommunicator I - $19.00 hourly

**Sign On Bonus available for qualified and certified candidates.

General Description:

The Telecommunicator I is assigned to the VSO Emergency Communications Center located in Daytona Beach, Florida. This position performs various public safety communications tasks involving the reception of emergency and non-emergency telephone calls, utilizing a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, for law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency medical services, and other related public safety services.

The Telecommunicator I must be able to interact positively and cooperatively with co-workers, customers, supervisors, and command staff, at times functioning under intense time pressure and while handing stressful situations. This position staffs an emergency communications center that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, including holidays, weekends, and during public emergencies or disasters.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be a minimum of 18 years old.
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must meet State of Florida applicant requirements pursuant to FS 401.465.
• Must pass computerized pre-employment testing.
• Must successfully complete the Communications in-house academic program.
• Must receive Florida Crime Information Center/National Crime Information Center (FCIC/NCIC) certification within six (6) months of hire date.
• Must successfully complete Communications floor training on at least one (1) position.
• Must take and pass state certification examination within one (1) year of hire date.
• All Telecommunicators are required to learn and display proficiency in all skill sets (call taking, law dispatch, and fire rescue dispatch) to successfully complete their probationary period.
• Must be able to work a twelve (12) hour shift, rotating between dayshift and nightshift, including holidays, weekends, and mandatory overtime to meet operational needs.

Background Screening: This position will require an extensive background investigation, including psychological exam and drug screening.

Academic Program:

• Employee is required to demonstrate competency in all topics of instruction with an overall academic minimum passing score of 85%.
• Employee must successfully obtain the below listed certifications:
  • Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses IS100.LEb, IS200, IS317, and IS700.

Essential Functions:

• Applies learnings in the policies and procedures of public safety dispatch via standardized training program pursuant to FS 401.465 in preparation for State of Florida certification examination.
• Operates telephone console with several trunk lines and extensions.
• Works proficiently in the CAD system, FCIC/NCIC terminal, other computerized systems and databases.
• Processes calls for service, initiates a public safety field response, provides information, makes referrals, and takes messages in accordance with established procedures.
• Provides emergency medical/fire/law enforcement pre-arrival and post-dispatch instructions to callers reporting emergencies.
• Maintains professional certifications, including but not limited to, Florida State Certification, CPR, EMD, and NIMS.
• Completes required forms, documents, computer fields, etc. accurately and quickly.
• Attends work on a regular and consistent basis.
• Must adhere to Federal, State, County, and local ordinances.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Status: Civilian

Blood and Viral Pathogen Risk: Minimal Risk

Environmental Conditions:

• General office setting with most duties being performed while sitting at a desk, table, or workstation.
• Must be able to work under very stressful conditions.
• Must be able to work a twelve (12) hour shift, rotating between dayshift and nightshift, including holidays, weekends, and mandatory overtime to meet operational needs.
• Must be able to relocate to other county locations based upon operational needs.
• Must be able to remain available to work when a public emergency or disaster occurs.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a wide variety of people, especially during emergency situations.
• Ability to concentrate and operate proficiently under stress.
• Ability to coordinate several activities at the same time under stress; multitask.
• Ability to respond quickly with little notice in the event of an emergency, disaster, or unexpected staffing shortage.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to testify in court and represent the Volusia Sheriff’s Office with a positive, professional image.
• Ability to speak, read, and write in English
• Ability to react quickly, calmly, and with good judgement during emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Ability to use a computer, keyboard, and mouse proficiently.
• Organizational and analytical skills
• Interpersonal skills

Required Knowledge:

• VSO General Orders, processes, and procedures.
• Communications Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
• CAD system and multi-line telephone system
• FCIC/NCIC and Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS)
• Geographical area and surrounding agencies
• Radio codes, signals, and unit identifiers
• Civil processes
• CALEA accreditation standards

Physical Requirements:

• Sit for extended periods of time, sedentary position.
• Visual acuity of 20/30 vision standard in each eye; corrective lenses must be used to satisfy 20/30 vision standards. Uncorrected vision should be no worse than 20/100 in each eye.
• Pass hearing test with less than 40 decibels in each ear under frequencies 2,000 Hz, 3,000 Hz, and 4,000 Hz.
• Manual dexterity
• Ambulate independently
• Reach/Grasp
• Bend/Squat
• Utilize a computer and computer monitor for extended periods of time.
• Recognize colors

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V