911 Emergency Communications Specialist I

Starting Salary: $20.96/hour or $21.59/hour with 3+ years experience
 

Candidates who are hired as 911 Emergency Communications Specialists and achieve the 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator state certification will be given a $3,000 Signing Bonus given in two installments. Rehired Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) Emergency Communications Specialists and current OCSO employees are not eligible for a signing bonus.

Specialty Pay:  1 Certification = $38.47 per paycheck / $1000 annual (new hires only after they achieve their certification). Pay will increase as more certifications are obtained up to a maximum of $71.54 per paycheck.

Entry level Emergency Communications Specialists earn a starting salary of $40,684 annually. Upon certification they are eligible for specialty pay which increases with the number of certifications, shift differential pay, training pay, overtime pay and educational incentives.  At the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, there is tremendous room for growth. Base pay rates for Communications positions are as follows:

ECS I pay range $43,596 to $66,976 annually

ECS II pay range is $45,780 to $70,345 annually

ECS III pay range is $50,481 to $77,563 annually

ASL pay range is $55,660 to $85,529 annually

Supervisor pay range is $64,480 to $99,049 annually

Minimum Qualifications:

• Good work history
• Accredited high school or GED diploma (certificate of completion not accepted)
• Must be a U.S. citizen or possess a current permanent resident card
• Must not have been convicted of a felony.
• No illegal drug usage within the last year. Other drug usage will be evaluated on a case by case basis
• Must not have received a dishonorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces.
• Knowledge of Orange County geography helpful
• Must be able to work various shifts with rotating days off, as well as weekends and holidays
• Must be able to speak and understand English
• Must successfully complete a job related "CritiCall" test
• Must be computer literate
• Must have good typing skills (approximately 30wpm)

• One (1) to two (2) years of college, military, or related experience and/or training preferred.

Processing

• CritiCall testing:  This is a computerized technical test that measures the following skills and abilities: typing speed, data entry, memory recall, map reading, spelling, multitasking and reading comprehension.  We recommend you practice typing to prepare, including using the number pad.  There are several free practice tests offered online that are similar to what you will be taking.
• Job Shadow
• Panel Interview
• Voice Stress Analysis (truth verification)
• Complete Background Investigation
• Medical exam & drug screen (after conditional job offer)
• Psychological evaluation (after conditional offer)

Candidates hired as Emergency Communications Specialists receive some of the best training in the industry.  Upon employment, new hires attend six weeks of classroom training at the Communications Center.    After successful completion of the academy phase, candidates are prepared to take their state certification test and move on to the hands-on phase of their training.  This phase consists of 480 hours of hands-on training, working directly with a Communications Training Officer.  After successful completion of training, candidates are placed on a shift (typically nights) and begin their work as a Emergency Communications Specialist I - the direct connection between our citizens and deputies. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and work on the computer for long periods of time, talk, hear, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, use repetitive motion, and utilize coordination and dexterity abilities. The employee must have bilateral hearing.  For instance, the employee must have the ability to hear with both ears while wearing a headset on one ear and also listening to coworkers/trainers/supervisors with the other ear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and peripheral vision.
 
WORK ENVIRONMENT 
Work is performed in an open setting environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Depending on assignment the employee may be required to work holiday, evening, midnight, and/or weekend shifts. Shift times may vary.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Orange County Sheriff's Office may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.