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POSITION TITLE

911 PUBLIC

SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR TRAINEE SALARY

$15.98 per hour plus benefits

ABOUT COLUMBIA COUNTY

Columbia County is one of Florida's best-kept secrets, with pockets of quiet and peaceful springs. Columbia County is the home of Florida's Springlands, with multiple natural springs, lakes, rivers, and nine beautiful state parks. In 2022, the US Census Bureau QuickFacts estimated Columbia County has a population of 72,000 residents. Columbia County is a southeast sports destination and hosts multiple tournaments and camps. Columbia County requires a diverse and dedicated workforce to provide services for Columbia County residents to live and work and for the visitors who experience our piece of the Florida playground. Consider applying for a position with us today.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Trainee is a training level position intended for individuals with little or no comparable public safety dispatching experience. A 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Trainee who successfully passes the training program and orientation period will advance to 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator, which is the initial full-working level. Trainee must successfully obtain a State of Florida DOH 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Certificate, FCIC/NCIC Full Access Certification, 40-Hour Basic Telecommunicator Course Certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification, Emergency Fire Dispatch Certification, and CPR Certification. Under close direct supervision, the 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Trainee will receive extensive training, on-the-job instruction, and hands-on training in public safety call taking for law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical, and other services. Throughout training, trainees are expected to show progressive growth and ability to apply complex rules, procedures, and policies to all work situations. At the end of training and orientation, trainees must demonstrate and maintain working competence in the full range of law enforcement, fire, and medical call taking functions. • Applicants with substantially comparable public safety telecommunications experience with a State of Florida DOH 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Certificate, CPR Certification, and having at least one of the following: EMD Certification, EFD Certification, or

NCIC/FCIC

Full Access Certification; may be hired as a PST. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency, as detailed below, by the end of the initial orientation period and must have completed a minimum of 6-months of recent PST communications and dispatch experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Trainees must either possess or gain the following during the course of the 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Trainee program and through the orientation period:

Knowledge of:

Current techniques, policies, and procedures of public safety call taking. Columbia County geography, including all cities and townships, major highways, streets and key buildings and landmarks.

Ability to:

Successfully obtain State of Florida DOH 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Certificate, FCIC/NCIC Full Access Certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification, Emergency Fire Dispatch Certification. Complete a CPR course. Perform extensive data entry and data retrieval from visual and /or audio sources. Understand and execute complex oral and written instructions. Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communications skills for public safety communications. React quickly and correctly to emergency calls and situations. Learn and correctly apply detailed procedures and policies both in structured situations, such as emergency medical dispatch (EMD, and in non-routine situations that require independent judgment, critical thinking, and application of complex and varied procedures and policies, such as law enforcement dispatching. Learn, retain, and use knowledge of Columbia County geography in the course of work. Operate computerized equipment including computer aided dispatch (CAD), enhanced 911 (ANI/ALI), and automatic vehicle location (AVL) programs. Receive and accept regular feedback and constructive criticism without being defensive. Dispatch public safety personnel and equipment safely, quickly and efficiently. Relay messages exactly as received. React quickly and calmly in emergency situations and adopt effective courses of action. Perform call taking and dispatching work by phone, radio, and using other standard communications center equipment. Assess emotional state of callers; respond correctly to emergency and routine situations. Prioritize calls based on urgency. Apply appropriate initiative, discretion, and judgment in the work Apply available guidelines, policies, or procedures in diverse situations. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the public, coworkers, supervisors and managers, user agency stakeholders, and officials from other jurisdictions, department or agencies. Perform work under stressful or emotional conditions. Work any assigned shift, including day, swing, or graveyard and work all days of the week including weekends and holidays. Work under pressure in a loud, multitasking environment. Work mandatory overtime as needed and assigned. Have reliable and predictable attendance.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS/DEMANDS

Trainees must successfully complete each progressive 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator training phase and successfully apply knowledge, skills, and abilities to the work as follows: Receive and transmit telephone and radio emergency calls, as well as non-emergency calls and complaints or inquiries from the public. Assess and appropriately respond to a caller's emotional state. Evaluate and prioritize calls based on urgency. Respond to requests from emergency response personnel. Operate multi-line phone and teletype systems, computers, data communications terminals, and other complex communications equipment to quickly and correctly access information and respond to requests from law enforcement, fire and EMS. Record the nature and source of incoming and outgoing telephone messages. Study and maintain familiarity with major roads, streets, industrial plants, and buildings. Perform other related tasks and duties as required for this skill level and as assigned by Supervisor. • Trainees and Telecommunicators must have ability to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. Columbia County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Columbia County c omplies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Columbia County employs only U.S. citizens and aliens who are authorized to work in the U.S. in compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324B. which requires that all employees present original documentation that establish identity and employment authorization within 3 business days of the date employment begins (also referred to as the hire date). DFWP