911 Telecommunicator Trainee

Posting number: 027410-21

Department: Emergency Mgt Agency/MetroSafe

Job classification: 911 Telecommunicator Trainee

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Safety, Communications

Summary

Starting Salary During Training: $22.31
Minimum Salary After Completion of Training & Promotion to a Communication Specialist Position: $24.48

Essential Functions:
Participates in a 911 Telecommunicator training program
Participates in a battery of exams and evaluations to determine suitability for the positions of Communication Specialist I U27 (911 Emergency Call Taker) and Communication Specialist II (911 Emergency Dispatcher)

Examples of duties

UNDER GENERAL SUPERVISION
Attends a training program & receives instruction in Call Classification, Caller Management, Computer-Aided Dispatch, Call Documentation, Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS), Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) protocols & dispatch techniques
Participates in practical training and on-the-job training to apply course content
Takes examinations to measure knowledge gained and progress made
Performs related work

Qualifications

Must obtain or possess a High School diploma or GED prior to final offer of employment.

OTHER MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Must be a US Citizen
Must be a minimum of 18 years of age
Applicants who have used, bought, or sold marijuana within one year of application, or have used, bought or sold any controlled substance or narcotic drug without a prescription within six years of application will be disqualified
Must not have been convicted of a felony
Must submit to fingerprinting for criminal history check
Misdemeanor convictions will be considered on an individual basis
Must submit to a pre-employment polygraph test
Must work a varied schedule
Must submit to a pre-employment drug screening
Must submit to a pre-employment audiogram
Must submit to a pre-employment suitability test
Must complete a job shadow prior to a conditional offer of employment

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be certified as a Telecommunicator in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and meet all academy requirements by the completion of the state-approved Telecommunications Academy

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Meets regular and punctual attendance standards and any special needs of the position as determined by management, including mandatory overtime and performing related work

Supplemental information

DETAILED JOB INFORMATION, IMPORTANT
Job Overview – 911 Telecommunicator Trainee
 
This position is a public safety position and involves taking critical 911 calls from the public which includes calls such as cardiac arrests of persons including children and infants, working fires with victims trapped inside, shootings and auto accidents. Non-emergent calls are also received such as persons wanting to know the correct time or asking what day their trash is picked up.

If selected, the training academy is in Louisville and is not a live-in academy. The academy lasts approximately 8 weeks and is held primarily during daytime hours (i.e., 8am-4pm). Three weeks of on-shift training are also included in the middle of the academy. The academy requires a minimum passing score of 80% from multiple tests, practical exams and quizzes. Following successful completion of the academy, trainees must submit an application for Communications Specialist I, Communications Specialist II, or both. Trainees will then be paired with a trainer who will instruct and monitor the trainee's progress; this step takes an average of 8-10 months. Following successful completion of this section, trainees will be rotated through all shifts and disciplines to complete the probationary period of one year.
 
This is a non-union position that will promote into a union position, and all union employees pay fair share to the union whether or not they elect to be a member. Shift selection, vacation bidding and overtime are all covered under the union contract. As shift selection is based on seniority, new hires typically start on evening or overnight shifts. It can take several years before a daytime shift becomes available. The Communications Center is a 24/7 operation which mandates employees work on holidays if it should fall on their rotation. Overtime is mandatory and can extend shifts up to a total of 16 hours with little or no notice.

Eligibility Lists
Up to two eligibility lists can be created for this position, one Promotional lis