communications specialist

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office is now accepting applications for the position of COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, a position that performs in the role of a 911 call-taker.

The Sheriff's Office offers a competitive benefits package including retirement benefits under the Florida Retirement System (FRS), paid medical/dental/life insurance, generous leave accrual, wellness benefits, education incentives and assistance and eleven (11) paid holidays per year.

Following completion of a one (1) year probationary period and successful completion of the agency's established training processes and criteria, employees have the opportunity to advance to a Public Safety Telecommunicator I (PST I/ Dispatcher) at a minimum of $20.57 per hour.

This position is responsible for handling 911 calls and incoming non-emergency calls for service. Provides optimum customer service to callers under significant emotional strain and stress. Performs effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

REQUIRED DOCUMENT

Each applicant must complete a NOTARIZED Background Investigation Waiver (Download PDF reader). Failure to submit this document will disqualify your application. The waiver must be notarized and submitted with the pre-screen application. A link for the form has been provided in red above.

This position is open until filled.

Note: Listed functions, duties, responsibilities and skills are not intended to be all-inclusive and the employer reserves the right to assign additional responsibilities as deemed necessary for the operational efficiency of the Sheriff's Office.

• Receives all incoming telephone calls for emergency law enforcement and Fire Rescue services within unincorporated Seminole County and designated cities
• Routes calls to the proper authority, including processing Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) calls
• Receives incoming non-emergency calls and routes to the proper authority or provides caller with requested information
• Receives complaints over the telephone; secures appropriate information from the caller; refers complaint via computer system to the dispatcher for processing
• Relays information and messages to field personnel as required
• Responds to inquiries from field personnel as to vehicle license tags, driver's license information, vehicle registrations, warrants, names, criminal histories, and special services information such as wrecker services, technicians, and K-9 support
• Utilizes cross-reference materials and documents for transmittal of accurate locations

• High School Diploma/GED
• Must be able to type 30 correct words per minute. A typing test is required as part of the pre-screening process
• Must obtain a State of Florida 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification within one (1) year
• Must obtain F/NCIC and CPR certifiication within six (6) months of employment
• Internal applicants must have completed the Seminole County Sheriff's Office one (1) year probationary period
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License
• Must be willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Mandatory attendance may be required for coverage during community and natural disasters

Regular and prompt attendance is mandatory in the performance of an employee's duties for this position, to include scheduled work hours, and required training activities, calls for mandatory overtime needs and calls for service during times of an emergency.

• Knowledge of county geography
• Knowledge of telephone answering techniques
• Knowledge of governmental agencies and community service agencies at a sufficient level to direct callers to the appropriate authority
• Ability to communicate verbally in a distinct, clear, concise, controlled, and pleasant manner in a wide variety of circumstances with good diction in a well-modulated voice
• Ability to type at sufficient speed to accurately complete information for computer-aided dispatch system
• Ability to simultaneously communicate, interpret and enter data into a computer terminal with speed and accuracy
• Ability to understand oral and written instructions
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in a variety of life-threatening and emergency situations
• Ability to sit for long periods of time
• Ability to wear department issued headset equipment
• Ability to work any shift
• Ability to handle irate and hysterical callers in a calm, courteous, and professional manner
• Ability to work under stress and exercise discretion and independent judgment in a variety of situations
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and an economically and ethnically diverse general public

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment for this position is in a high volume call center. The incumbent generally performs work in a sedentary position and wearing a headset is required. Incumbents may be exposed to information that may be violent in nature. The incumbent may be required to work any schedule that fulfills the needs of the position.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES REQUIREMENTS

Mobility-Frequent sedentary work; constant use of a computer

Visual-Constant overall vision; constant color perception, constant eye-hand coordination; constant depth perception; frequent reading/close-up work; constant field of vision/peripheral

Dexterity-Frequent repetitive motion and reaching; Foot and hand coordination

Hearing/Talking-Constant requirement to hear normal speech; constant hearing on telephone and radio; ability to hear faint sounds; constant talking on telephone/radio

Emotional/Psychological-Potential telephone contact with hostile individuals; exposure to emergency situations; may be exposed to trauma, grief and death; frequent public contact; decision-making and concentration

Special Requirements-Ability to behave respectably and with utmost integrity even when off duty. Shift work (days or nights) with rotating days off including working weekends, nights, holidays, and/or overtime; May be required to respond for any critical incident, manmade or natural

Classified Position

Seminole County Sheriff's Office

Human Resources Division

Sanford FL 32773

Successful applicants will be required to complete and submit an entire employment application, which will be provided to the applicant by the Human Resources Division. The applicant will then submit to a thorough background investigation, which includes, but not limited to, past employment/education verification, driver license review, credit history, prior drug use history, arrest/conviction record, and computerized voice stress analysis (CVSA) testing. A certified examiner administers the CVSA with questions addressing illegal drug use and general questions of honesty and criminal history. Any dishonesty or deception on the Pre-Screen Questionnaire or Employment Application will disqualify your application.

The background investigation process may take 3-6 months depending upon the complexity of the applicant's background and position for which you've applied. Applicants selected for employment will be provided a conditional offer and required to submit to a medical examination with drug screening.

Candidates must also comply with the Agency's current Tattoo and Body Ornamentation Policy. A copy of General Order 28 - Dress and Appearance can be accessed here. An applicant's tattoos and body ornamentation must be disclosed at the time of application and will be documented as part of the agency's review process, even if otherwise meeting the Agency's policy.

Applicants not selected for employment will receive notification from the Human Resources Division, to include justification based on the following disqualifiers: negative background, failure to meet minimum qualifications as outlined in the specific job description, or any additional information discovered during the interview process. Applicants will be eligible to reapply with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office after one year from date of notification.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office is committed to a diverse work force, is a drug free workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly support our military veterans and their families, and encourage them to consider applying to agency job announcements for which they may qualify. Preference-Eligible Applicant service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, receive preference and priority and are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled. Additionally, certain Preference-Eligible Applicants may also be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements in employment.