Job details
Full Job Description
Do you like having a positive impact on the lives of others? Do you like dealing with the unexpected? Do you want to make a difference? If the answers to all these questions is a resounding "yes", enter the world of Emergency Communications by clicking on the following link: departments.arlington.us/ecc/recruitment and scrolling down the page to view the ECC Recruitment video.
Arlington County's Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management currently has multiple vacancies within its Emergency Communications Center.
The Emergency Communications Center provides critical information and support to public safety departments within Arlington County. As an Emergency Communications Technician, you will face diverse challenges, as every call is an opportunity to provide essential service to community members, public safety staff, and other emergency communications center staff. This is a great opportunity for those looking to make a direct impact on the community, and provide crucial support to Fire, Police, and EMS personnel in the field.
Specific duties include:
Receiving and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls;- Determining priority of incoming calls and accurately relaying information to the dispatcher;
- Providing information, support and guidance to callers in stressful situations;
- Serving as a liaison between caller and Police, Fire and EMS personnel;
- Sending, receiving and disseminating confidential information; and
- Entering and updating information into statewide and national databases while reviewing for completeness and accuracy.
Candidates must have the ability to:
- Make quick, independent decisions while working in a high-impact, high stress environment;
- Work in a teamwork-oriented environment by giving support and receiving support from other Emergency Communication Technicians as well as public safety personnel in the field;
- Handle simultaneous tasks under pressure;
- Learn the geography and street systems of Arlington County;
- Provide information and instructions to citizens and public safety officers in a clear, concise manner on the telephone and radio;
- Enter information provided orally, accurately into a computer; and
- Work in non-traditional shifts, such as weekends, nights, and holidays.
- Obtain required certifications and update job knowledge through classroom, on the job, self-initiated training and online.
Applicants new to emergency communications work are expected to successfully complete initial training within 18 months. During the first 12 weeks after initial hire date, successful applicants are required to be available and physically present to attend state and departmental mandated training. Individuals with 9-1-1 dispatch experience are strongly encouraged to apply and, if hired, are likely to proceed through the initial training period at an accelerated pace.
Working as an Emergency Communications Technician includes many opportunities for growth and development within the Emergency Communications Center. Some examples of development opportunities for established technicians could include participation in becoming trained as a Communications Training Officer (CTO), or Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Instructor, by participating as a member of various teams or committees such as the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), the Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM) and/or the Outreach and Engagement Team (OET) where you can use your social media and recruitment skills.
Click here to access information on the CritiCall exam. (Download PDF reader) Please read this information prior to taking the exam.
Minimum: High school diploma or GED plus one year of experience providing direct public contact, problem resolution and using computers.
See "Special Requirements" section for details on the Hiring Process.
Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with one or more of the following:
Experience in Police, Fire/Rescue or Emergency Medical Service communications/operations;- Telecommunications or dispatching experience;
- Experience dealing with individuals in stressful situations; and/or
- Experience with computer entry of information provided orally.
Please provide a valid e-mail address on your application in order to receive applicant status information throughout the hiring process.
Candidates must COMPLETE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICANT BACKGROUND PACKET TO INCLUDE AN ARREST RECORD QUESTIONNAIRE NOTARIZED WITH A NOTARY SEAL, at the time of the Virtual Interview. Qualified applicants selected for interview will be provided with specific instructions on how to access the background package via email.
HIRING PROCESS:
The hiring process consists of a multi-step selection process that includes a variety of examinations and interviews. Success in each of the following is required in order to advance in the process:
CritiCall Public Safety Communications Examination: Applicants who pass initial screening criteria will be provided a link with instructions related to the exam. This is under "Position Information" and available to download by clicking here. Reviewing this information before the day of testing is required. Not reviewing this information in advance may impact your score!
Virtual Interview: Applicants who pass the Criticall Examination will be invited to complete an on-line interview and will be provided seven days to complete the virtual interview. You may complete the interview at any time during the seven-day period. Questions included in the interview are designed to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to the job. Candidates must submit required identification documents prior to receiving an invitation for an interview in order to advance to this step in the process.
Criminal History Check and Character/Background Investigation: The comprehensive Character/Background Investigation packet is available to applicants on the website of the Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management by clicking on the following link: arlington911.com/jobs. The background investigation will be conducted concurrently with the other steps in the hiring process. The Authorization for Release of Personal Information are included in the background packet and will need to be signed and notarized. The Credit History Authorization form will need to be signed by you and a witness. You will be provided with specific instructions, via email, on how to download, save, and electronically submit your Background Packet at the time of your virtual interview. If you are scheduled for a virtual interview, the completed background packet will need to be submitted at the time of your scheduled interview. An incomplete packet could be cause for disqualification.
Polygraph Examination: Applicants who advance to this step in the process will be emailed instructions and additional information regarding the polygraph examination. Polygraph examinations are not rescheduled. Applicants who cancel a scheduled polygraph examination or fail to bring a completed polygraph packet to the examination will be disqualified and not advance further in the process.
NOTE: The County may offer a contingent Conditional Offer based upon the successful completion of steps of the hiring process outlined above.
- Engaging in any activity that would support a felony conviction.
- Incomplete or inaccurate information on the background investigation questionnaire.
- Recent or current drug use.
Work hours: This position will work a 12-hour shift with rotating days off. There are four shifts: two day shifts and two midnight shifts. Employees are assigned to shifts based on the needs of the department.
Employees are required to work weekends and holidays, which depends on the rotation of the shift to which an employee is assigned. Shift schedules are subject to change depending on the needs of the department and to accommodate mandatory training.
The base salary starts at $49,774.40 (Grade 6). Upon successful completion of the initial training period, employees may begin to work toward fulfilling the requirements of ECT II (Grade 7 -$54,537.60) and ECT III (Grade 8 - $63,772.80). Applicants with prior Emergency Communications or Public Safety experience may be eligible to start at a higher salary than entry level dependent on type and length of experience.
Base pay is supplemented by holiday pay and night differential when applicable.
Overtime opportunities may be available based on the needs of the communications center.
Please complete each section of the application. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are required for this position. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered
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