Salary : $42,130.00 AnnuallyLocation : Nazareth, PAJob Type: Full timeJob Number: 2024-TC2Department: AdministrationDivision: Emergency Management ServicesOpening Date: 02/12/2024Application RequirementsIn order to be considered for this position, applicants must successfully submit a completed application prior to the posting deadline. Applications submitted with incomplete or missing education and/or work experience sections will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. These applicants will be disqualified from consideration. The attachment of a resume to the application does not fulfill this requirement and will not prevent incomplete applications from being rejected. Education and work experience fields must be completed, regardless of the presence of an attached resume.Once the posting closes, all applications will be reviewed. The information provided on the application will be utilized to determine whether or not each applicant meets the Minimum Requirements for this position as noted in the Job Description. We encourage all applicants to provide a comprehensive, concise history of their education, certification, licensing, and employment history. Please read the Minimum Requirements thoroughly and then demonstrate that you meet these requirements on your application.For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sherry Christman, Human Resources Analyst at ...@norcopa.gov or 610-###-####.Equal Employment Opportunities - It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law.There is a Written Exam for this position. Candidates will be notified via email to schedule their testing session; they will be allowed up to two (2) hours to complete the exam. The CritiCall Public Safety Dispatcher/Calltaker Pre-Employment test is a computerized test that consists of ten (10) modules, including:Telecommunicator Personality TestKeyboarding (25 WPM Requirement)Reading ComprehensionDecision MakingData EntryData Entry (Audio)Call SummarizationCross ReferencingCharacter ComparisonPrioritizationPlease note that this position will be filled as per the AFSCME Residual Non-Professional Unit Collective Bargaining Agreement For additional information please visit the Candidate Resources section of the CritiCall website The following resources are available:CritiCall and the Dispatcher Applicant: F.A.Q.Public Safety Communciations Pre-Employment Test Preparation GuidePractice Keyboarding and Data Entry TestsCounty of Northampton CritiCall Test Takers GuideEqual Employment Opportunities - It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law.For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sherry Christman, Human Resources Analyst, at ...@northamptoncounty.org or 610-###-####.Job DescriptionGENERAL PURPOSEThe Telecommunicator position serves as the emergency call-taker/dispatcher for emergency and non-emergency requests on E-911 trunked lines, administrative lines and radio infrastructure at the Northampton County Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). Work includes dispatching of calls to the appropriate discipline, i.e. police, fire, EMS, municipal, in compliance with Center Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's), as well as the operation of the CLEAN/NCIC system as needed. SUPERVISION RECEIVEDThis position reports directly to the Dispatch Shift Supervisor. SUPERVISION EXERCISEDThis position is not responsible for the supervision of other employees or functions. ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITIONReceives emergency and non-emergency calls from the public as well as public service providers for public safety services. Accepts calls routed to the 911 Center via both current and future media methods such as, but not limited to, Text-to-911, Video, TTY. Effectively manages each call per established guidelines, policies, and training. Requests information from callers to gather critical information, such as personal information, location, and the nature of the call; records information; assesses the need for emergency services; determines appropriate response(s) required and evaluates the relative priority of each response; dispatches the appropriate response unit(s). Provides and relays necessary information regarding emergency situations to those individuals requiring notification, including public safety officials and representatives. Provides EMD (pre-arrival instructions) to persons in need of immediate life-saving intervention, when appropriate. Utilizes CAD and GEO tools to determine location and appropriate municipal protocols for response. Utilizes TTY transmission equipment for communication with the hearing impaired. Maintains daily records of calls and dispatch activity.Maintains the highest level of confidentiality. Adapts to unique circumstances that are presented by callers and then applies learned skills/established guidelines in resolving situations. Possesses the ability to cope with highly stressful situations regularly, with minimal supervision. Works a rotating shift, including weekends and holidays. Serves as peer trainer, as required, upon completion of required Certified Training Officer (CTO) training. Operation of Statewide National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) and the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) system for police. *An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - Completion of a high school, or general equivalency, diploma; AND One (1) to two (2) years Radio Communications Training, Call Center experience, or Public Safety Agency (Police, Fire, or EMS) experience is preferred. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION - A post offer criminal history check will be completed for all Telecommunicator candidates. Failure to successfully pass the background investigation will be cause for the offer to be rescinded. URINE DRUG SCREEN - A post offer urine drug screen is a requirement for employment. Failure to successfully pass the urine drug screen will be cause for the offer to be rescinded. HEARING TEST - A post offer hearing test for various frequency sensitive levels is a requirement for employment. Failure to successfully pass the hearing test will be cause for the offer to be rescinded. MANDATORY TRAINING - All Telecommunicator candidates must be able to successfully pass EMD training program, APCO emergency communications training program, NCIC/CLEAN training program, as well as pass all state required exams and maintain required certifications as necessary during employment. All mandatory training as outlined by the Department of Emergency Management Services must be completed as an essential function of the job. Must maintain annual certifications in First Aid, CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation). KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledge of office practices and procedures commonly employed in communications, emergency management and public safety environment. Knowledge of the geography, highway, and street systems in boroughs and townships, within the County of Northampton. Effective communication skills, including active listening, clarity of speech, verbal and written communication, pertinent to public safety communications. Ability to speak clearly and distinctly over electronic media. Effective computer skills and a level of proficiency necessary to perform data entry from written, audible, or other sources, quickly and accurately. Ability to type 25 words per minute and data entry ability of 3,250 keystrokes per hour. Ability to interpret GEO information. Ability to read and interpret maps. Ability to multi-task, to identify and respond appropriately to emergency and stressful situations simultaneously. Ability to maintain composure and self-control in order to perform necessary job duties while exposed to high stress situations. Ability to learn the specific operation, rules and procedures governing County radio, computer, alarm and other systems. Ability to learn specific computer aid dispatch software program and hardware. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, officials of law enforcement, firefighting and emergency medical care agencies, representatives from other local, State and Federal agencies, and the public. Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENTPersonal computer, keyboard and mouse, computer aided dispatch tool (CAD) software and hardware, communication/radio equipment, TTY transmission equipment, telephone, cell phone, fax machine, copy machine, and State NCIC/CLEAN computer network. PHYSICAL DEMANDSWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. WORK ENVIRONMENTThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet, but may become moderately noisy.SELECTION GUIDELINESFormal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check as well as job related tests may be required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.FLSA STATUS: FLSA NON-EXEMPT (ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)DESIGNATION: CAREER SERVICEPAY GRADE: RU-20UNION STATUS: AFSCME RESIDUAL NON-PROFESSIONAL UNITUpdated May 2023Full-time employees of the County of Northampton are afforded a package of benefits which includes the following:Medical InsuranceVision and PrescriptionDentalLife InsuranceRetirementI. Medical InsuranceCoverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Cost to the employee to participate in the plans varies by the coverage selection and number of dependents; and may be subject to collective bargaining, if a union member. The employee may also elect to opt out of the County's medical insurance if proof of coverage through the spouse's employer is provided. Under this arrangement, the employee is provided with an annual $1,500.00 opt out payment.II. Vision and PrescriptionCoverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary, subject to collective bargaining, if a union member. Coverage under the vision plan varies and depends upon the employee's choice of doctor and frame selection.III. Dental CoverageCoverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary, subject to collective bargaining, if a union member.IV. Life InsuranceA life insurance policy is afforded to full-time employees beginning on the first day of employment, unless specified differently in a collective bargaining agreement. It remains in effect as long as the employee is actively employed and terminates upon resignation or retirement. $20,000 is afforded to all eligible employees.V. RetirementAll full-time employees and part-time employees working more than 1000 hours per year qualify for County of Northampton retirement benefits, in which employees must contribute 5% of their earnings, and employees may choose to add additional voluntary contributions, not to exceed an additional 10%. Additionally, employees may participate in an optional deferred compensation plan (457(b)) which may provide present tax advantages and future retirement savings. Such arrangements are made directly with the providers and the County will administer payroll deductions only.01 Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the applicant screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?
02 During training, new Telecommunicators must work an irregular shift schedule as dictated by trainer availability. Are you willing to work an irregular shift schedule during training?
03 After training, new Telecommunicators will be assigned to a specific shift, according to availability. Are you willing to work any shift after training?
04 Staffing levels must be maintained, even on weekends and holidays. Are you willing to work weekends and holidays?
05 This position requires participation in a voluntary and/or mandatory overtime process in order to maintain minimum staffing levels. Are you willing to participate in both voluntary and mandatory overtime processes?
06 One function of a Telecommunicator is to copy and/or input information as it is being received while simultaneously comprehending what you have heard, and being able to respond immediately. Do you believe that you are capable of performing this function?
07 The position of Telecommunicator is part of the AFSCME Residual Union and salary is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Starting salary for this position is $20.2550 per hour ($42,130 annually) and is not negotiable. Please select yes to indicate your understanding of the starting salary.
Required Question