Public Safety Communication Officer I/II
5 days left
- Employer
- City Of Alexandria Virginia
- Location
- Alexandria, VA
- Salary
- Competitive
- Posted
- Aug 28, 2023
- Closes
- Oct 02, 2023
- Ref
- 2023-00367
- Function
- Security Guard and Public Safety
- Industry
- Government and Public Services
- Career Level
- Experienced (Non-Manager)
- Hours
- Full Time
Public Safety Communications Officer I/II
The City of Alexandria is in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter of the City's square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for the Public Safety Communications Officer I (PSCO I) or Public Safety Communications Officer II (PSCO II) positions.
An Overview
The Public Safety Communications Officer (PSCO) I and II employees work various shifts, weekends, and holidays and serve as call-takers for all emergency and non-emergency telephone calls. Work is under the lead director of a Public Safety Communications Supervisor.
A PSCO I serve as the first line of communication for emergency and non-emergency telephone calls with the public. The position involves answering emergency phone calls, ranging in nature from noise complaints to serious crime reports. A PSCO I receives, categorizes, and monitors call and dispatch radio communications to Police, Fire, and/or EMS units. This is a high-tension, high-stakes position that requires quick thinking, first-rate customer service, sound judgment, and the ability to maintain composure.
A PSCO II performs all work tasks of a Public Safety Communications Officer I, dispatching all emergency and police non-emergency calls utilizing proper dispatch format, and coordinates and monitors responses of the Police or Fire/EMS units. This work requires operating assigned radio and related equipment, including primary and secondary radio channels, and maintaining control of channel(s). An employee in this class makes proper notifications, documents events with all pertinent information received, and relays messages completely, accurately, and promptly. This work differs from the Public Safety Communication Officer I class which is an entry-level call taker.
What You Should Bring
Strong, clear, and efficient verbal and written communication skills are fundamental to this position. You should have the outstanding ability to work with the public and maintain excellent relationships within the department and City. Because PSCO operates Computer-Aided Dispatch software, a thorough understanding of technology is necessary for this job. Strong knowledge of the city's geography and the ability to read maps. These public safety professionals need a thorough understanding of police terminology, policies, regulations, and procedures, much of which will be learned upon hiring via thorough department-provided training.
The Opportunity
PSCO I
The Department of Emergency and Customer Communications (DECC) ensures the effective delivery of routine and emergency calls for service to the City of Alexandria public safety departments. Our highly trained staff of professionals always strives to provide the best service possible to the public. Our employees are the most dedicated you will find anywhere, going above and beyond the call of duty to serve. Alexandria's 9-1-1 center is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). Alexandria's 9-1-1 center is one of only eight in Virginia, to hold such accreditation. If you would like to review more about our department, please click the following link Emergency and Customer Communications .
Minimum & Additional Requirements
The minimum requirement for both PSCO I and PSCO II positions are: High School Diploma or GED; United States citizen or legal resident alien of the United States (The Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) requires all persons defined as a terminal operator to be a United States citizen or have been a lawful resident of the United States for the past ten (10) consecutive years before applying for certification).
The additional requirement for PSCO II, applicants must have at least one year of experience as a Public Safety Communications Officer I.
Preferred Qualifications
PSCO I - One-year experience in customer service and/or call center environments. Bilingual in English and Spanish or any other foreign language.
PSCO II - More than two years of experience as a Public Safety Communications Officer in an E911 center as a Call Taker and Fire or Police Radio Dispatcher. Certified as an Emergency Communications Operator in the E911 call center. Bilingual in English and Spanish or any other foreign language.
Notes
The annual salary range for PSCO I, GS-14 is $47,240.70 - $83,131.88. The annual salary range for PSCO II, GS-16 is $52,080.08 - $91,648.44.
These positions require the successful completion of pre-employment checks and medical testing including but not limited to a criminal history records check, fingerprinting, drug screening, vision and hearing exam, psychological and polygraph testing, as well as position-specific competency and aptitude screening.
These positions are considered essential personnel and will be required to report to work regardless of the emergency ( i.e., weather, transportation, or other disasters ).
The City of Alexandria is in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter of the City's square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for the Public Safety Communications Officer I (PSCO I) or Public Safety Communications Officer II (PSCO II) positions.
An Overview
The Public Safety Communications Officer (PSCO) I and II employees work various shifts, weekends, and holidays and serve as call-takers for all emergency and non-emergency telephone calls. Work is under the lead director of a Public Safety Communications Supervisor.
A PSCO I serve as the first line of communication for emergency and non-emergency telephone calls with the public. The position involves answering emergency phone calls, ranging in nature from noise complaints to serious crime reports. A PSCO I receives, categorizes, and monitors call and dispatch radio communications to Police, Fire, and/or EMS units. This is a high-tension, high-stakes position that requires quick thinking, first-rate customer service, sound judgment, and the ability to maintain composure.
A PSCO II performs all work tasks of a Public Safety Communications Officer I, dispatching all emergency and police non-emergency calls utilizing proper dispatch format, and coordinates and monitors responses of the Police or Fire/EMS units. This work requires operating assigned radio and related equipment, including primary and secondary radio channels, and maintaining control of channel(s). An employee in this class makes proper notifications, documents events with all pertinent information received, and relays messages completely, accurately, and promptly. This work differs from the Public Safety Communication Officer I class which is an entry-level call taker.
What You Should Bring
Strong, clear, and efficient verbal and written communication skills are fundamental to this position. You should have the outstanding ability to work with the public and maintain excellent relationships within the department and City. Because PSCO operates Computer-Aided Dispatch software, a thorough understanding of technology is necessary for this job. Strong knowledge of the city's geography and the ability to read maps. These public safety professionals need a thorough understanding of police terminology, policies, regulations, and procedures, much of which will be learned upon hiring via thorough department-provided training.
The Opportunity
PSCO I
- Operates automated calling system to answer, screen, and process incoming calls for service;
- Enters call information into the Computer-Aided Automated Dispatch System and monitors the response of Police, Fire, and EMS units;
- Provides information to the public and law enforcement agencies within departmental guidelines;
- Provides caller with life-saving instructions until assistance arrives.
- Transfers or directs callers to the appropriate personnel, department, or other law enforcement agencies.
- Documents events with all pertinent information received.
- Contributes to team training efforts, including the development and evaluation of new personnel.
- Always maintains work environment and equipment in a safe and clean condition.
- Assists with training activities, logs, reports, and data analysis.
- Performs related work, as required.
- Coordinates and monitors the response of Police or Fire/EMS units, including dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls utilizing proper dispatch formats, and response plans.
- Operates assigned radio channels, including primary and secondary.
- Practices proper radio techniques and makes notifications where appropriate.
- Documents events with all pertinent information received.
- Determines type and amount of emergency aid needed.
- Relays messages completely and accurately.
- Updates and documents event types based on additional information obtained.
- Always maintains control of radio channel (s) and operates backup systems during primary system failures.
- Contributes to team training efforts, including the development and evaluation of new personnel.
- Always maintains work environment and equipment in a safe and clean condition.
- Assists with training activities, logs, reports, and data analysis.
- Performs related work as assigned.
The Department of Emergency and Customer Communications (DECC) ensures the effective delivery of routine and emergency calls for service to the City of Alexandria public safety departments. Our highly trained staff of professionals always strives to provide the best service possible to the public. Our employees are the most dedicated you will find anywhere, going above and beyond the call of duty to serve. Alexandria's 9-1-1 center is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). Alexandria's 9-1-1 center is one of only eight in Virginia, to hold such accreditation. If you would like to review more about our department, please click the following link Emergency and Customer Communications .
Minimum & Additional Requirements
The minimum requirement for both PSCO I and PSCO II positions are: High School Diploma or GED; United States citizen or legal resident alien of the United States (The Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) requires all persons defined as a terminal operator to be a United States citizen or have been a lawful resident of the United States for the past ten (10) consecutive years before applying for certification).
The additional requirement for PSCO II, applicants must have at least one year of experience as a Public Safety Communications Officer I.
Preferred Qualifications
PSCO I - One-year experience in customer service and/or call center environments. Bilingual in English and Spanish or any other foreign language.
PSCO II - More than two years of experience as a Public Safety Communications Officer in an E911 center as a Call Taker and Fire or Police Radio Dispatcher. Certified as an Emergency Communications Operator in the E911 call center. Bilingual in English and Spanish or any other foreign language.
Notes
The annual salary range for PSCO I, GS-14 is $47,240.70 - $83,131.88. The annual salary range for PSCO II, GS-16 is $52,080.08 - $91,648.44.
These positions require the successful completion of pre-employment checks and medical testing including but not limited to a criminal history records check, fingerprinting, drug screening, vision and hearing exam, psychological and polygraph testing, as well as position-specific competency and aptitude screening.
These positions are considered essential personnel and will be required to report to work regardless of the emergency ( i.e., weather, transportation, or other disasters ).