NEXT CLASS STARTS FEBRUARY, 2025 Starting pay of $22.15* hour. Upon completion of training receive a promotion to 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator with a pay increase to $24.37 per hour. Employees are eligible for an additional stipend(s). - 7% market driven skills supplement once the employee is working independently and initial training is completed.
- 5% shift differential for afternoons (majority of shift between 5pm and midnight) & 10% shift differential for nights (majority of shift between midnight and 6am)
*Candidates with recent (within 1 year) experience in an emergency communications center may be eligible for a higher starting payHours: 9-1-1 is a 24/7 call center environment. 9-1-1 Telecommunicators are considered 'essential employees'. Schedules are varied, please read the details below.Classroom Training:
- 8 weeks long - starting at 6 AM ending at 2 PM or 6 PM, depending on syllabus
- Five-day work week
- 40 to 44 hours each week
- Monday - Friday schedule
On the Job Training (OJT):
- 8 weeks long
- During OJT, you are paired up with a veteran telecommunicator and will follow their schedule. Could be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift
- 4-day week, consisting of a combination of 8- and 12-hour shifts, and will include weekends and holidays
After Successful Completion of Training:
- Seniority-based shift bid process starts. Bids occur three times per year, you will know your shift for four months at a time
- Typically, shifts are 4 days long, consisting of a combination of 8- and 12-hour shifts, will include weekends and holidays
- Shift times vary, but typically fall between the hours of 6am-6pm, 2pm-2am, or 6pm-6am
- Overtime is available on an as-needed basis
Please note, during disaster situations, you are required to remain at the 9-1-1 center until released, potentially overnight(s). You are compensated for your time.
Who Are We Looking For? Do you thrive under pressure and enjoy making an impact? The Pinellas County Regional 9-1-1 division is seeking hard-working, dedicated individuals who desire a professional career in emergency communications. Our Telecommunicators provide help to those who call 9-1-1 and nonemergency lines, as well as dispatch calls and support first responders, via radio communications. Telecommunicators must maintain a calm, compassionate, customer service-oriented demeanor, while handling a variety of emergency and non-emergency public safety calls, via both telephone and radio. Watch: Pinellas 911 telecommunicator meets resident she helped save , Join our Team as a 9-1-1 Telecommunicator
What Would You Do? - Screens emergency and non-emergency 9-1-1 calls, texts, and video requesting emergency assistance or information from citizens.
- Gathers information from 9-1-1 callers, while simultaneously inputting the information accurately by utilizing multiple software programs and computer screens.
- Dispatches fire and medical first responders.
- Implements on-the-job best public safety practices in responding to and handling emergency calls, applying the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) guidelines for emergency medical and fire dispatch.
- Communicates with first responders using telephone, radio, and computer-aided dispatch software.
- Performs related work as assigned or required.
What Do You Need To Have? - Be at least 18 years of age or older with a High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) and able to speak, write, and comprehend the English language.
- Above average computer skills.
- Must be comfortable working across multiple monitors (3-5) at the same time
- Must be able to remain calm and in control while speaking with emotional callers and entering pertinent, detailed information into multiply software programs.
- Must meet organizational spelling and typing requirements (40 wpm).
- Must be able to comprehend and retain information provided and decisively implement standard operating procedures.
- Need to work well with others in a large, fast-paced call center.
- Must pass pre-hire testing and background check*.
9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicators are subject to a Level 2 Criminal History Check completed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
What Great Benefits Do We Offer? - Our benefits rank among the top in the area! Check it out!
- Looking for a strong retirement? We have you covered as members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) with investment and pension options.
- We have deferred compensation programs and wellness centers to name a few perks. Check out these and more!
Want to Learn More? Please review the full classification description with the Physical/Mental Demands, Working Conditions, and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities at the below link. 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator