Communications Officer

Salary :

45,212.00 AnnuallyLocation :

City of Colonial Heights, VAJob Type :

Full-timeJob Number :

07-25Department :

Fire & EMSOpening Date :

02 / 14 / 2025Closing Date :

3 / 14 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Eastern

DescriptionAll applications received during the recruitment period will

be forwarded to the hiring department for review and consideration

after the Friday, March 14, 2025

deadline.Communications Officer : Annual Salary : $45,212 (Prior experience may be considered for final candidates).

The City of Colonial Heights is currently recruiting for highly responsible, technical, dispatching position in the Emergency Communications Center of the Fire & EMS Department. Must be available to work 12-hour shifts, including days, nights, weekends, holidays, on-call, and required overtime. Must successfully complete all state mandated certification classes within allotted time. Applicants with DCJS Basic Dispatch and VCIN / NCIC Level A certifications with experience in computer-aided dispatch system and enhanced 911 is desirable.Qualified applicants must be able to make quick, independent decisions, to handle simultaneous tasks under pressure, to learn the geography and street systems of the City of Colonial Heights and neighboring jurisdictions, to speak distinctly on the telephone and radio and be able to accurately enter orally supplied information into a computer are important in this job.Examples of Duties

Serves as primary point of contact for reporting all 9-1-1 emergencies along with all non-emergency calls in the City of Colonial Heights.Represents the City and Department in a professional manner and with a high level of customer service.Provides information or directions to callers, police, fire & rescue / EMS and other public safety agencies, adhering to CHECC, Police, Sheriff, Fire & Rescue department policies and procedures governing the dissemination of information.Operates a sophisticated work station comprised of multiple computer systems including 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency telephone system, geographical mapping tools (GIS and aerial photography), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), and other repositories of critical information, etc. to answer, triage and process incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for service from the general public or other public safety agencies for the protection of life and property.During a life-threatening emergency, establishes communications with the caller, provide safety / life-saving instructions, and maintains control of the conversation until units arrive on the scene.Interacts with callers who may be injured, distressed, distraught and / or emotional, and also public safety field personnel on the telephone and radio to accurately communicate information and instructions in all situations.Gathers, classifies, and supplements pertinent information obtained from the caller and enters it into the CAD system, consistent with appropriate protocols.Establishes communications with hearing impaired callers through the TTY application of the telephone system.Enter and update information in statewide and national databases and review for completeness and accuracy.Performs clerical duties; and other duties as assigned.Education & ExperienceApplicants must :

Be at least 18 years of age.Possess a high school diploma or equivalent with at least 3 years of experience.Be a US citizen.Have no felony convictions.Type 40 wpm.Be able to speak clearly.Have the ability to hear and make quick decisions while working in highly stressful situations.Must possess or obtain VCIN / NCIC Level A certification and maintain certification throughout employment.Must possess or obtain Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and CPR / AED certifications, and maintain certifications throughout employment.Must be available to work 12-hour shifts, which includes any combination of days, nights, weekends, holidays, on-call, and required overtime.Physical Demands & Work EnvironmentThe work is generally performed in an office environment. Typically, the employee may sit to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, stooping, carrying of light items such as papers, books, or small parts, or driving an automobile. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions. Use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals are minimally required.Full-time employee benefits include :

Health insurance with dental & vision coverage (Anthem, Delta Dental, & Blue Vision)Retirement (Virignia Retirement System & Mission Square)Group Life InsuranceSupplemental retirement (Roth IRA & 457 Deferred Comp)Voluntary benefits (FSA & Colonial Life products)Employee Assistant Program (EAP)Paid vacation and sick leavePaid holidays (14)Bi-weekly PaydayVirginia Credit Union enrollmentEducation / tuition discounts through Liberty University

Do you have experience in Public Safety (Police, Fire, Sheriff, Corrections)?

YesNo

Do you have 911 emergency dispatch experience?

YesNo

Do you have 911 Basic Dispatch Training?If yes, please upload a copy of your certificate to your application.

YesNo

Are you currently Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN)Full Access certified?

YesNo

Do you have a current Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or higher certification? If yes, please upload a copy of your certification to your application.

YesNo

Applicants must be willing to work twelve (12) hour shifts and work mandatory overtime shifts when necessary. Shift schedule will include evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. Do you understand this requirement?

YesNo

Are you willing to work a permanent night shift? A permanent night shift consists of approximately 13-16 work nights per month.

YesNo

If hired, I am willing and able to work any shift I may be assigned on any day of the week, including holidays and weekends. I also understand that I will be an essential employee and MUST report to work on time regardless of weather or other circumstances.

YesNo

This position requires on-call rotation during scheduled off days. Will you be able to arrive to the Emergency Communications Center within one hour of notice?

YesNo

Are you willing to undergo a comprehensive background investigation (including contacts with all references, employers, co-workers, close personal associates) and successfully pass pre-employment medical and drug screenings?

YesNo

Which best describes your highest level of education?

High School Diploma / GEDSome CollegeAssociate's DegreeBachelor's Degree / Advanced Degree

What is your current typing speed (WPM)?13

Are you able to communicate in a foreign language?

YesNo

If yes, explain your level of fluency and frequency of use. If you cannot converse in a foreign language, type N / A as your response.15

Please briefly describe your skills / abilities that would be beneficial as a Communications Officer / Dispatcher?16

I understand the starting salary for the Communications Officer position is $45,212.

YesNo

Required Question

Salary : $45,212