Emergency Communications Specialist IV

Non-exempt (compensatory and/or overtime eligible); full-time; 40 hours per week; varying schedule; full benefits
 
This is a responsible skilled position that performs functions under the direction of the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) Manager and assumes the responsibilities of the DEC Manager in his/her absence.  When both the DEC Manager and Emergency Communication Supervisor are on duty, this position may serve as primary supervisor for a single operational area of the communications center.  This position must retain practiced call taking abilities and remain proficient in Fire-Rescue, Police, and other affiliated agencies dispatch disciplines.  Direction is given to Emergency Communication Specialist (ECS) on-call/part-time staff and full-time ECS levels I through III.  Direct supervision is received from a DEC Manager, with oversight from DEC Assistant Administrators, DEC Administrators, DEC Assistant Director, and/or the DEC Director.

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy.  For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate.

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members.  If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

 TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE: Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.
• Coming in 2025: Employee Health Center with no or low cost primary and urgent care

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

• Monitor and evaluate day-to-day activities from the operations area of the Emergency Communications Center (ECC)
• Assure timely and accurate deployment of equipment and personnel
• Monitor communications center activity levels, to develop and provide appropriate staffing recommendations to the DEC Manager
• Oversee individual performance by verifying that both telephone and radio systems are operated correctly, protocol administration is thorough, while authenticating records are complete and accurate
• Advise staff appropriately regarding departmental policy, procedure, and protocol administration
• Ensure the appropriate utilization of Standard Operating Procedures
• Perform notifications to utility companies, fire investigators, hospitals and other affiliated agency partners
• Operate public safety radio consoles and maintain communications with allied Fire-Rescue, Emergency Medical, Police, and associated County and State agencies
• Enforce compliance to the application of International Academy of Emergency Dispatch Protocols
• Provide input to the DEC Manager for staff's performance appraisals
• Complete documentation as necessary which may include but is not limited to citizen complaints, procedural issues, staff deficiencies, personnel matters, equipment failures, Freedom of Information Act requests, and requirements from our agency partners
• Assist the assigned Manager with preparing daily position assignments
• Monitor and maintain the status of public safety personnel and equipment, analyzing situations accurately to take effective actions in ensuring officer and firefighter safety
• Forward appropriate information regarding complaint or inquiry pertaining to procedural concerns, protocol inefficiencies, personnel matters, staff deficiency, or equipment failure to the appropriate DEC Manager, DEC Administrators, Assistant Director and/or Director
• Communicate staff issues to the appropriate DEC Manager, DEC Assistant Administrators, DEC Administrators, Assistant Director and/or Director
• Attend and participate in trainings, meetings, and public education events
• Provide assistance to callers requesting Fire-Rescue, Police, and other Public Safety Services
• Collect information from or for the National Weather Service
• Establish and maintain control quickly over situations as they develop, by making reasonable and effective decisions
• Operate KRONOS Workforce TeleStaff scheduling software, computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, telephone call handling equipment, Criminal Justice Information Systems
• Participate in committee assignments
• Maintain continuing education coursework as needed
• Perform other related duties as assigned or required

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

• High school graduation or the equivalency
• Minimum 5 years emergency communications center work experience to include at least 2 years work experience actively performing all duties of the following disciplines: 9-1-1 call taking, police, fire, and emergency medical services dispatch 
• Possession of current International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) Emergency Medical, Fire, and Police Dispatch certifications or comparable Emergency Call Taking certifications for Medical, Fire and Police Dispatch - applicants with comparable certifications will be required to obtain IAED EMD, EFD & EPD certifications within 180 days of employment 
• Possession of current NCIC CN2 access level certification or higher
• Possession of valid Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Systems Services (MIEMSS) certification in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), applicants without this certification are required to obtain MIEMSS certification within 180 days of employment
• Possession of valid certification as a Communications Training Officer (CTO), applicants without a CTO certification are required to obtain a CTO certification within 180 days of employment
• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license 
• NOTE: Required within 180 days of hiring or promotion: Possession of IAED Quality Assurance Call Reviewing certifications (3) for Police, Fire, and Medical events

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, DEC administrative staff, and a diverse group of associated affiliate agencies
• Considerable knowledge of local, state, and national laws and standards as they apply to the field of emergency communications and 911 Emergency Communications Centers
• Extensive knowledge of emergency communications center operation and general industry standards related to working operational policies, procedures, and protocols
• Extensive knowledge of the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch Protocol Systems
• Extensive knowledge of Fire-Rescue, Police, and other agency partners disciplines
• Considerable knowledge of current aspects of computer software and hardware as they apply to the emergency communications center
• Considerable knowledge of wireless communications systems particularly as they apply to the provision of public safety services
• Working knowledge of Frederick County geography and surrounding areas
• Working knowledge of current communications equipment including 800 MHZ "trunked" radio systems and digital communications
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to speak clearly and distinctly, and to accurately summarize and describe information with correct, precise terminology
• Ability to perform quickly and effectively in emergency situations
• Ability to effectively supervise and direct the work of others

• Call center experience working with a population of 125,000 residents
• Current possession of IAED certification in EMD-Q, EFD-Q and EPD-Q or comparable quality assurance call reviewing certification for Police, Medical and Fire events. 

• While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently sit and perform repetitive motions; and rarely drive
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors and frequently work in a noisy environment

• Required certifications must be maintained throughout employment.  The inability to obtain the required certifications within 180 days may result in involuntary demotion to the level of Emergency Communications Specialist III, or termination
• Ability to provide own transportation to meetings and work locations, as needed
• Available to work all shifts as assigned, including weekdays, weekends, nights and holidays
• This position is subject to system-wide team reassignment or reassignment to a rotating shift schedule
• This position is subject to random drug testing
• The probationary period for this position is 12 months (current employees will undergo a 3 month probationary period)
• This position is designate as security-sensitive, requiring satisfactory background investigation, conducted by the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, in accordance with established Frederick County policy

1. An evaluation of training and experience
2. A written examination
3. Related skills testing
4. One or more interviews
5. A Security-Sensitive background investigation
6. A pre-employment psychological examination
7. A pre-employment drug test and physical examination