Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialist, Grade 15

This is an Open Continuous announcement, meaning your application will remain active and under consideration for both current and future vacancies as they arise. Qualified candidates will be placed on an eligible list and contacted for testing as openings become available.

The salary for this position is $55,517.00

Now offering $5,000 Hiring Bonus distributed over the first year and eligibility for the Employee Retirement System (ERS) Defined Benefit Plan.

Application, Testing, and Interview Process: 
Applicants who meet the Minimum Qualifications will have their status changed to “Referred" and will be invited to test and if the test is passed, an interview will be conducted by the Department of Police’s Emergency Communications Division the same day.

Position will be filled at the Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialist I level, Grade 15. Starting salary will be $55,517.

This position is assigned to the Department's Emergency Communications Center (ECC) which is located in Gaithersburg and Rockville, Maryland. The Communications Specialist is responsible for delivering quality emergency communication services to the public, as well as providing accurate and timely dispatch support to police officers and fire rescue personnel. The Communications Specialist has a unique responsibility in a fast-paced environment that requires careful attention to detail, multi-tasking, and good communications skills.

The individual selected for this position will be considered an“Essential Employee.”Essential employees must report to work during a period of general emergency or liberal leave. This individual selected, is REQUIRED to work overtime during inclement weather situations and emergencies, which may include overnight stays.

All personnel in this class of work must work on site and are not eligible for telework or remote work assignments.
 
Applicants will be required to indicate the name of any referring employee into this online recruitment system at the time of original application.

This announcement may be utilized to fill subsequent vacancies occurring within 120 days of the closing date.

Major duties include answering 9-1-1 emergency calls, and dispatching police officers and fire rescue personnel to respond to calls, using a computer system known as (CAD) Computer Aided Dispatch.  This position has a very extensive upward mobility career ladder as indicated below: Employees will receive Proficiency Advancement to Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialist (PSECS) II (grade 17) after achieving check-off as a multi-discipline public safety call taker with at least five (5) months experience as a PSECS I with a 10% increase in salary. Employees will receive Proficiency Advancement to Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialist III (grade 19) after achieving check-off in a single discipline public safety dispatch with at least three (3) months experience as a PSECS II with a 10% increase in salary.

Employees will receive Proficiency Advancement to PSCS IV (grade 20) after achieving check-off in all discipline’s public safety dispatch with at least twelve (12) months experience as a PSCS III with a 5% increase in salary.

Employees will receive Proficiency Advancement to Senior Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialist (grade 21) after 24 months as a PSECS IV with a 5% increase in salary.

Applicants must have the ability to:

• Pass a comprehensive background investigation conducted by the MCPD. (8 week process)  
• Pass a computerized examination, a scored interview, a psychological evaluation, a medical examination, and a drug/alcohol screen. 
• Perform work assignments at different work locations when required
• Work holidays, weekends and shifts during days, evenings or midnights.
• Accept last minute changes in their schedule and work mandatory overtime.
• Work under close supervision, and daily evaluation of performance, especially during training. 
• Demonstrate good customer service skills including dealing calmly and respectfully with irate and angry customers over the phone.
•  Work under constant electronic surveillance as all telephone conversations and radio messages will be recorded.
• Receives and compiles reports and complaints from citizens, ECC-911 staff, Police patrol officers, other Specialists in the field, and other people via telephone, radio or mail.

Experience: None
 
Education: Ability to provide proof of Graduation from high school or High School Certificate completion recognized in the state of Maryland before day one of employment
 
Equivalency: None.
 

License: Upon Completion of Probationary Period: Possession and maintenance of CPR certification; Law Enforcement Dispatch, Fire Dispatch, and Emergency Medical Dispatch Protocol System certifications; State of Maryland Emergency Medical Dispatch license; METERS/NCIC certification must be obtained by the completion of the probationary period.

TESTING PROCESS

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications confirmed by Police will be scheduled for the computerized examination.    All who pass the computerized examination will be scheduled for a selection interview.  As a result of selection interview applicants will be rated Well-Qualified or Qualified.  Well-Qualified applicants will move to the selection process.

SELECTION PROCESS 

All applicants must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation, psychological evaluation, medical examination and drug/alcohol screen.  Additionally, each applicant will be scheduled to observe a full performance Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialist in the Emergency Communications Center.
 
NOTIFICATIONS

Applicants will be notified of a test date, time and venue via email prior to test date. Please check your SPAM folders regularly.   They will be notified via email or telephone for all other steps in the testing and selection phases.