EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN
Position Information Are you looking for an opportunity to impact the lives of others and the community? Do you like dealing with the unexpected? If you responded with a resounding yes, enter the world of Emergency Communications by visiting ECC and scrolling down the page to view the ECC Recruitment video to learn more.
Arlington County's Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management currently has multiple vacancies within its Emergency Communications Center (ECC).
This is an exciting opportunity to work in a progressive, state-of-the-art, and forward-thinking ECC.
The Arlington County ECC has been recognized as a leader in providing critical emergency communications services through innovative measures, most recently receiving a Virginia Association of Counties award for its pioneering work in deploying remote call-taking, remote fire/EMS dispatch, and remote supervision from employees' homes.
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/or other emergency communications center staff.
This is a great opportunity for those looking to make a direct impact on the community while providing critical support to Fire, Police, and EMS personnel in the field.
Responsibilities 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; andEntering and updating information into statewide and national databases while reviewing for completeness and accuracy.
The ideal candidate will have proven success applying the following in a work environment:
Critical thinking/problem resolutionOrganizational skillsMental and emotional resiliencyIntegrity and reliabilityProfessional motivationPlease note:
Applicants who are new to emergency communications are expected to successfully complete initial training within 18 months.
During the first 12 weeks after initial hire date, new employees are required to be available and physically present to attend state and departmental mandated trainings.
Individuals with 9-1-1 dispatch experience are strongly encouraged to apply and, if hired, may 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 may include participation in becoming trained as a Communications Training Officer (CTO) or Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Instructor; or participation as a member of various teams and committees such as the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), the Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM) and/or the Outreach and Engagement Team (OET) where employees may use social media and/or recruitment skills.
Selection Criteria Minimums:
High school diploma or GED; One year of experience providing direct public contact, problem resolution and using computers; andAbility to successfully complete the hiring process as documented under Special Requirements and in the supplemental questions of this application.
Desirables:
Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:
Police, Fire/Rescue, or Emergency Medical Service communications/operations;Telecommunications or dispatching;Working with individuals in stressful situations; and/orEntering information provided orally into an automated system.
Special Requirements 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.
Please review but do not complete any of the following steps until notified.
CritiCall Public Safety Communications Examination:
Click here to access information on the CritiCall exam.
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.
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:
If invited, applicants will complete the virtual interview at any time during the seven-day period.
Questions included in the virtual 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:
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.
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.
Applicants should also note the following potential disqualifiers:
o Engaging in any activity that would support a felony conviction.
o Incomplete or inaccurate information on the background investigation questionnaire.
o Recent or current drug use.
.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Arlington County's Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management currently has multiple vacancies within its Emergency Communications Center (ECC).
This is an exciting opportunity to work in a progressive, state-of-the-art, and forward-thinking ECC.
The Arlington County ECC has been recognized as a leader in providing critical emergency communications services through innovative measures, most recently receiving a Virginia Association of Counties award for its pioneering work in deploying remote call-taking, remote fire/EMS dispatch, and remote supervision from employees' homes.
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/or other emergency communications center staff.
This is a great opportunity for those looking to make a direct impact on the community while providing critical support to Fire, Police, and EMS personnel in the field.
Responsibilities 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; andEntering and updating information into statewide and national databases while reviewing for completeness and accuracy.
The ideal candidate will have proven success applying the following in a work environment:
Critical thinking/problem resolutionOrganizational skillsMental and emotional resiliencyIntegrity and reliabilityProfessional motivationPlease note:
Applicants who are new to emergency communications are expected to successfully complete initial training within 18 months.
During the first 12 weeks after initial hire date, new employees are required to be available and physically present to attend state and departmental mandated trainings.
Individuals with 9-1-1 dispatch experience are strongly encouraged to apply and, if hired, may 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 may include participation in becoming trained as a Communications Training Officer (CTO) or Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Instructor; or participation as a member of various teams and committees such as the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), the Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM) and/or the Outreach and Engagement Team (OET) where employees may use social media and/or recruitment skills.
Selection Criteria Minimums:
High school diploma or GED; One year of experience providing direct public contact, problem resolution and using computers; andAbility to successfully complete the hiring process as documented under Special Requirements and in the supplemental questions of this application.
Desirables:
Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:
Police, Fire/Rescue, or Emergency Medical Service communications/operations;Telecommunications or dispatching;Working with individuals in stressful situations; and/orEntering information provided orally into an automated system.
Special Requirements 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.
Please review but do not complete any of the following steps until notified.
CritiCall Public Safety Communications Examination:
Click here to access information on the CritiCall exam.
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.
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:
If invited, applicants will complete the virtual interview at any time during the seven-day period.
Questions included in the virtual 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:
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.
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.
Applicants should also note the following potential disqualifiers:
o Engaging in any activity that would support a felony conviction.
o Incomplete or inaccurate information on the background investigation questionnaire.
o Recent or current drug use.
.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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