Who We Are Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is that the future may learn from the past through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia's colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation. Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library. Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today's evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally. About the Position The Communications Officer performs communications work in the Colonial Williamsburg Public Safety Communications Centers (CC). The employee serves as a vital link between the public and the Department of Public Safety. This position is responsible for call taking, dispatching, the monitoring of alarm systems, the monitoring of CCTV, and assisting in the coordination of emergency communication. Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Receives, analyzes, and prioritizes emergency and non-emergency calls for service; receives complaints and requests for service via telephone and in person; obtains necessary information and dispatches security units or other emergency response personnel as needed.
- Receives and acknowledges radio transmissions of Security units; exchanges information as necessary via radio.
- Monitors and operates fire, burglar, and duress alarm systems.
- Monitors access control systems and CCTV.
- Logs all calls received, building access information, and completes emergency notifications as required
- Monitors NOAA weather radio and makes appropriate emergency notifications as required.
- Answers telephone; receives and/or refers inquiries and transmits to appropriate personnel.
- Serves as a central point of contact for employees, volunteers, and contractors entering the museum or Public Safety building.
- Performs clerical functions such as typing, filing, preparing memoranda.
- Inspects equipment at beginning of shift to ensure proper operation; reports computer and equipment malfunctions and/or problems.
- Reads logs from previous shifts.
- Will be required to perform the duties of a Public Safety Officer as staffing levels permit.
- Performs other related work as required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- High school graduate or equivalent.
- Six (6) months experience as a Colonial Williamsburg Public Safety Officer; 1 year of telecommunications work; or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
- Must hold or have the ability to acquire VA DCJS Basic Telecommunications certification within established time frames.
- Ability to type 30 word per minute and perform data entry at a reasonable rate of speed.
- Ability to speak clearly and concisely, understand and follow directions.
- Ability to learn dispatch procedures for various call types.
- Ability to successfully complete a one-year probationary period.
- Must be willing to work rotating shifts as staffing needs arise, to include, days, nights, weekends, holidays, and special events.
- As an essential employee, must be able to report to work/stay at work during poor weather, storm events, and/or emergency conditions.
- Requires comprehensive background check, pre-employment substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.
- Must not have a history of criminal convictions, except minor traffic violations.
- Must meet and maintain initial specialized training requirements of the Department.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Requires ability to operate for extended periods of time at a workstation.
- Requires ability to monitor multiple computer screens, while handling calls from multiple phone lines and responding to radio traffic.
- Ability to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls.
- Vision abilities include close vision and ability to focus.
- Ability to function in a work environment with moderate noise level from several sources creating constant activity.
- Must possess a clear and understandable radio and telephone voice.
- Tasks may require the ability to perceive and differentiate sounds and visual cues or signals.
- Requires the ability to communicate orally for extended periods of time.
- Must be able to perform work such as:
- Lifting
- Climbing stairs and ladders
- Reaching
- Pushing hard-to-move objects by hand
- Squat, Crouch or kneel (e.g., to collect evidence, inspect cases/exhibits, etc.).
ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to work in varying weather conditions, including storm events, extreme heat and cold, rain, snow, etc.