Public Safety Telecommunicator (Entry Level & Lateral)

Southeast Emergency Communications (SEECOM)

Contact Information

Address:

Phone:

• 815-356-2685

Fax:

• 815-356-9069

Email:

• admin@seecom911.org

Application Deadline:

• Ongoing

Salary:

• Starting:

  • $58,550 (Entry Level)
  • $58,550 - $66,412 (Lateral)
  Effective May 1, 2023
  

  SEECOM offers an excellent benefit package including:

  • Group Health/Dental Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • IMRF Pension
  • Benefit Time (Vacation, Personal & Comp Time)
  • Represented by Metropolitan Alliance of Police (MAP)

Sworn:

• 31

Population:

• 201,000 +

Position Details

Southeast Emergency Communications (SEECOM) is now accepting new hire and lateral applications to immediately fill a vacancy for full-time Public Safety Telecommunicator as well as maintain a list of qualified candidates through the end of 2023.

SEECOM is a regional consolidated 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center (ECC) employing 24 full-time Public Safety Telecommunicators and 3 full-time Communications Supervisors, serving 13 agencies (Algonquin Police, Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire, Cary Police, Crystal Lake Fire Rescue, Crystal Lake Park District Police, Crystal Lake Police, Huntley Fire, Huntley Police, Lake in the Hills Police, McHenry County College Police, Oakwood Hills Police in addition to MABAS Division 5 and Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network), with a combined residential population of over 201,000.

Lateral Process:

Applicants with prior public safety communications experience are invited to apply for an abbreviated hiring process. This is an ongoing process and applications will be reviewed weekly. Candidates successfully advancing through all phases of the process will be placed into an eligibility list through the end of calendar year 2023 if a position is not immediately available.

• To Apply, Submit a Cover Letter & Resume to admin@seecom911.org
• Panel Interview (By Invitation)
• Pre-Employment Medical & Drug Screen 

New Hire Process:

Applicants with no prior public safety communications experience are encouraged to apply during this hiring process. This is an ongoing process and applications will be reviewed weekly. Candidates successfully advancing through all phases of the process will be placed into an eligibility list through the end of calendar year 2023 if a position is not immediately available.

• To Apply, Submit a Cover Letter & Resume to admin@seecom911.org
• Online Written Test – National Testing Network (NTN) (By Invitation) SEECOM will cover online testing fees
• Panel Interview by Invitation
• Pre-Employment Assessment Testing (Optional)
• Pre-Employment Medical & Drug Screen 

Primary Purpose:

The Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) performs a variety of public safety communications functions including answering 9-1-1 calls, non-emergency calls, entering data into the computer aided dispatch system as well as other computer systems and transmitting information via radio systems, phone and computer. Using these tools, the PST coordinates information and activity among the general public, SEECOM public safety agencies, surrounding public safety agencies and ancillary service providers. The nature of the work ranges from extreme emergencies to the routine.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Answers incoming 9-1-1, emergency, non-emergency and administrative phone calls, as well as text messages, in a prompt and courteous manner. Independently process and assess each call and dispatch the appropriate public safety response based on the urgency of the situation in line with policies and procedures.
• Initiate computer aided dispatch (CAD) calls for service as well as assign and dispatch the appropriate police, fire and/or EMS units in a timely manner.
• Monitor the status of beat assignments of each on-duty unit, to enable efficient assignments of calls and to help assure the safety of personnel.
• Accurately perform entries and queries, provides responses and documentation with local, state and federal databases in a timely fashion.
• Maintain and ensure a high level of confidentiality with regard to information obtained.
• Monitor and process alarms (burglar, bank, fire, medical, etc.), dispatch the appropriate responders and provide notifications as required.
• Operate and maintain radio and telecommunication systems including, but not limited to: computer aided dispatch equipment, telephone systems, telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD/TTY), paging/notification systems, fax machines, computers and related accessories.
• Monitor various site security and camera systems, regional CAD system status monitor and other similar systems.
• Maintains logs, records and files as requested and required. 

Work Environment:

The position involves working regular and irregular shift work and shift rotations necessary to provide 9-1-1 and public safety communications services 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 52 weeks/year including weekends and holidays. Shifts are typically eight (8) hours in duration, but could be extended to 12-16 hours in the event of emergency, disaster, staffing needs, workload or work in progress. Weekends and holidays are not guaranteed time off and shifts typically rotate. The location is well lighted and has minimal noise. There is a high volume, fast paced environment dealing with life threatening situations via telephone or radio. Must be able to remain in the Communications Center at a dispatch console for extended periods.

Tools and Equipment Used:

Equipment used includes, but is not limited to: Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) phone system, multi-line telephone systems, Text To/From 9-1-1, TTD/TTY system, multi-frequency radio systems, multiple computers and monitors, computer aided dispatch (CAD) and records management software (RMS), facsimile machine, copy machine, shredder, logging recorder, reverse communications software, emergency alerting siren, and Microsoft Office products.

Physical Demands:

This position works in an office environment. Little physical strength and/or endurance required. Position requires repetitive motion, with substantial movement of the wrist, hands and/or fingers. Occasionally, job may require physical exertion such as lifting, stooping, reaching, walking, etc. Vision, hearing and speaking are required for use of written material, computer equipment, telephone systems and in-person communication, etc.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education: Must possess a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: Prior call center, public safety or customer service experience is desired, however not required.
• Certification or License: Must possess the following certifications/licenses within four (4) months of employment and annually maintain:
•  APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator I
•  Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS)
•  Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
•  Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
•  State of Illinois Emergency Medical Dispatch
• Background Check: Employee must not have any felony convictions and will submit to an extensive criminal history and background check. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Proficiencies:

• Must be able to type 35 words per minute and provide proof of such.
• Have working knowledge of computers.
• Communicate effectively with the general public, co-workers and emergency service agencies both verbally and written.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Considerable knowledge of geographical territory of the Southeast Emergency Communications jurisdiction and adjacent areas.
• Ability to responsively and independently apply situational reasoning ability by exercising judgment and decisiveness in emergency situations involving a variety of pre-defined duties subject to frequent change.
• Ability to work in high stress conditions and maintain composure under adverse circumstances.
• Take control of situations while remaining polite.
• Ability to accept and provide constructive criticism.
• Use independent judgment in extremely critical and/or extraordinary risk situations.
• Ability to hear and understand two messages transmitted simultaneously.
• Speak clearly and distinctly.
• Work any shift assigned, including holidays and weekends. Work overtime.
• May have to lift up to 25 pounds on occasion. 

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and the job requirements change.

Top qualifying candidates may be invited for further testing and interviews. Final selection is contingent upon a background check, psychological evaluation, and pre-employment medical & drug testing. SEECOM reserves the right to modify this process at any time. 

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