Public Safety Communications Call Taker

This job posting expires at 11:59PM on May 02, 2026. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on May 02, 2026.

 

 

Job Title:  Public Safety Communications Call Taker

 

 

Department: Public Safety Communications

 

 

External Hiring Range: $19.66 - $23.31

 

 

Posted Internally and Externally

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Buncombe County Public Safety Communications Center plays a crucial role in connecting the public with emergency services. Every day, our center answers 911 and administrative calls, while coordinating and dispatching vital responses from fire departments, law enforcement, and emergency medical services. If you feel a calling to make a genuine difference, we invite you to consider joining our dedicated team!  

 

We’re thrilled to share that we are hiring five dedicated individuals to join our upcoming training academy starting on Monday, May 18th 2026! For this academy, we will be conducting interviews for both the Call Taker and Telecommunicator positions. We welcome those with no previous experience for this Academy. Individuals offered a Call Taker position will receive extensive training during the academy and comprehensive on-the-job training following the 16-week academy. 

 

Training schedule vs. long-term schedule: 

Candidates can anticipate that the first 16 weeks of training will be conducted in a classroom type environment, scheduled Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, at 164 Erwin Hills Road. Following the initial training period, academy graduates will be assigned to a 12-hour shift. Our Center provides around-the-clock coverage through four dedicated teams operating on a Pitman shift schedule, with candidates assigned to a specific shift based on departmental needs at the conclusion of their training. While shift preferences will be taken into account, they cannot be guaranteed. 

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is responsible and timely operation of communication equipment to receive and screen emergency calls for the Buncombe County Public Safety Communications Department.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):
High school diploma or GED.
 

Additional Requirements: 
At least 18 years of age.
 

Essential Functions of the position:

• Receive and screen requests for emergency services: Manage challenging callers using appropriate handling of distressed, autistic, hearing-impaired, elderly, angry, and foreign-language-speaking callers.

• Ascertain incident information by obtaining and verifying caller information, location, determining the nature of the incident, and all available data including but not limited to automated data, social media information, text message, images, or video and providing information to emergency services either verbally and/or digitally.

• Facilitate the transferring of calls to the appropriate resources and perform conference calls with entities, such as but not limited to poison control centers or helicopter dispatch.

• Interpret sensor data to triage, prioritize, and properly categorize a call.

• Document, prioritize, and sequence calls promptly in limited time with limited or no supervision.

• Operate a computer workstation comprised of multiple computer systems, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software, geographical information systems (GIS), and recording systems.

• Complete training, certifications, and competencies as needed by actively seeking training, completing the training and certifications required for assigned Call Taker position, and complete continuing education and career development as necessary.

• Follow established agency policies and procedures, being aware of liability to the department, and adhering to federal disclosure and privacy laws.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• By the end of the training period, thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, processes, laws, ordinances, and regulations affecting public safety call-taking and the ability to apply them appropriately.

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