Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher I

Nature and Variety of Work

ONLY ON-LINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Bi-Lingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

The Office of Homeland Security is seeking qualified applicants to fill anticipated Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher I/II positions, Grade P16/P18 within the Public Safety Communications (PSC) Division.

This is entry-level to full-performance technician work involving public safety communications in an emergency communications center. The Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher I class is expected to develop information evaluation skills to determine nature of emergency from transmitted information; process pertinent incident information into the Office of Homeland Security/Public Safety Communications' (OHS/PSC) Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system; dispatch appropriate emergency resources within assigned area and class capabilities in response to citizen requests for public safety service, and tracks events to identified conclusion.

Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher I work is performed inside a secured, windowless office environment with a specialized low-light system, and includes prolonged periods of sitting at a designated work station monitoring computer screens and entering data. There is limited opportunity for physical movement; rest and meal periods are dependent on workload. To perform the essential functions of the job, incumbents must be able to perform the following: reaching, fingering, grasping, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, and repetitive motions.

Vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus; the ability to see with or without corrective lenses, and well enough to read standard text and text displayed on a video display terminal. Work may require constant focus on a computer screen for two or more hours at a time. The position requires typing skills and constant precise control of fingers and hand movements. The incumbent may be required to push, pull, lift and/or occasionally carry up to 20 pounds; have the ability to hear with or without a headset compatible hearing aid; speak well enough to converse on the telephone and radio headset; have enough manual dexterity to write and type at a terminal keyboard.

Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher I incumbents must have the tolerance to work under pressure. Upon the satisfactory completion of the probationary period, an entry level Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher I will be promoted to the Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher IIfull performance class.

Examples of Work

The selected incumbent, under general supervision, is responsible for the following:

• Dispatches Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, Fire/EMS units to respond to calls for assistance which are of a routine or emergency nature;

• Provides special instructions, hazard information, and additional information as appropriate or as requested by Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, or Fire/EMS personnel;

• Follows guidelines on how to enter information for broadcast to law enforcement officers throughout the County; operates a work station comprised of multiple computer systems including Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency telephone system, geographical mapping tools (GIS and aerial photography), Computer Aided Dispatch, and other repositories for critical information to answer, triage and process incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for service;

• Initiates calls for service utilizing appropriate protocols, provides pre-arrival instructions including CPR instructions, when appropriate;

• Receives incoming requests for emergency and non-emergency assistance, determines the type of service(s) required and initiates calls for service in accordance with emergency dispatch protocols and PSC, Sheriff, Police, Fire/ EMS, other public safety agencies' policy;

• Receives calls via the radio, 9-1-1 system, or telephone while using an issued headset or other computer-based communication equipment and process/records pertinent information according to agency procedures and protocol and, performs job duties at the alternate 9-1-1 center if activated or during tests/drills.

Qualifications

High school diploma or G.E.D.; plus, one (1) year of responsible work experience as an emergency or non-emergency dispatcher/call center operator, public safety officer, security, military or healthcare services, or relevant work experience using a two-way radio; or experience as a Public Safety Emergency Call Taker II with Prince George's County Government. Candidates must successfully pass agency specified entrance examination. EACH APPLICANT MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION THAT CLEARY DEMONSTRATES THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION.

Additional Information

Please note - using a mobile device, such as a phone, to complete this application is NOT recommended. You are highly encouraged to use a desktop or laptop computer so that you can carefully and thoroughlyread and understand all aspects of applying for this position.

All male U.S. citizens, and male aliens living in the U.S., who are 18 and over are required to register with Selective Service. Please go to the Selective Service website to register or verify your registration.

EACH APPLICANT MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION WHICH CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION.

All notifications for this position will be made via email, therefore each applicant must update their online profile with any changes to personal information, and must continually monitor the email account provided.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Selected candidates must have satisfactorily completed the following training, as well as, obtain and maintain the following certifications:

1.Must be able to work ten (10) or twelve (12) hour rotating shifts;

2.Must satisfactorily complete all components of the Academic (Phase 1) training program by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all quizzes, examinations and practical evaluations;

3.Must complete the NAED (National Academy of Emergency Dispatch) Emergency Telecommunicator Course (ETC) and obtain ETC certification by achieving a minimum score of 80%on all course examinations;

4.Must complete the NAED - EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch) course and obtain EMD certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations;

5.Must complete the NAED - EFD (Emergency Fire Dispatch) course and obtain EFD certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations;

6.Must complete the NAED - EPD (Emergency Police Dispatch) course and obtain EPD certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations;

7.Must complete the Maryland State NCIC (National Crime Information Center) CN2 training course and obtain NCIC - CN2 certification by achieving a minimum passing score on all course examinations;

8.Must complete the CPR/BLS (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Basic Life Support) course for Health Care Providers and obtain CPR certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations;

9.PSC employees are considered ESSENTIAL and are required to work during emergency situations, including inclement weather, natural and man-made disasters, etc.;

10. Must successfully pass a background investigation conducted by Prince George's County, Office of Human Resources Management, Public Safety Investigations Division to include a medical examination, drug screen and psychological screening.

11. Must have the ability (driver's license, vehicle, or other reliable transportation) to report to the primary center in Bowie, Maryland or the backup center in Landover, Maryland at the prescribed reporting times or when directed to do so.

Applicants who meet the education, experience and standards assessment will receive instructions on scheduling and participating in the mandatory Computerized Pre-Employment Examination.

DURATION OF ELIGIBILITY

Eligible applicants will be selected from a continuous register.

ELIGIBILITY TO WORK

Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, an employer is required to hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. Applicants who are selected for employment will be required to show and verify authorization to work in the United States.

SELECTION PROCESS

Qualifications Review and Standards Assessment

Computerized Pre-Employment Examination

Preliminary Screening

Targeted Selection Interview

Background Investigation

Psychological Screening

Medical Examination & Drug Screening

Final Offer of Employment

Successfully Complete Public Safety Communications Training Session

Reasons for disqualification may include (but are not limited to) the following: previous disqualification; deception; poor work history; suspended license; poor credit history; history or pattern of crimes both reported and not reported; felony/ misdemeanor conviction; illegal drug usage, possession, distribution, sale or purchase; falsification of application or other documents; failure to present a professional appearance; inability to competitively complete any of the component parts of the selection process; and/or any other disqualifying factors as determined by the Office of Human Resources Management Public Safety Investigations Division and/or Public Safety Communications Division of the Office of Homeland Security. For more information you may email pscrecruiting@co.pg.md.us

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process can click here for specific instructions.

Prince George's County Government is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Diversity in the Workplace

CLOSING DATE: Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST) on June 30, 2024.