Salary: $57,990.40 – $88,566.40 Annually
Location : Arlington, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 5036-24A-CEM-EM
Department: Public Safety Communications & Emergency Management
Division: OEM Public Safety Communications & Emergency Mgmt
Opening Date: 09/22/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Position Information
Arlington County’s Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management has multiple Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) vacancies within its Emergency Communications Center (ECC). This is an exciting opportunity to work with a progressive and forward-thinking team. The Arlington County ECC has been recognized as a leader in providing critical emergency communications services through innovative measures, most recently receiving a Virginia Association of Counties award for its pioneering work in deploying remote call-taking, remote fire/EMS dispatch, and remote supervision from employees’ homes. It is also among the first in the nation to employee AI to assist in reducing non-emergency call volume.
The Emergency Communications Center provides critical information and support to public safety departments within Arlington County. Click here to learn more about Arlington County’s Emergency Communications Center ().
Responsibilities include:
- Answering and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
- Determining the priority of incoming calls and accurately classifying them for dispatch.
- Providing critical information, support, and guidance to the public and other first responders.
- Entering and updating information into statewide and national databases while reviewing for completeness and accuracy.
Please note: Applicants who are new to emergency communications are expected to successfully complete Virginia Basic Dispatch School in addition to their initial training within 18 months. Individuals with 9-1-1 dispatch experience are strongly encouraged to apply and, if hired, may proceed through the initial training period at an accelerated pace. There is a skill based, career ladder with pay raises based upon increases in skills.
Selection Criteria
Minimum requirements for each skills-based level are below.
PST I:
- Completion of the requirements for graduation from a standard senior high school or vocational school, or the equivalent.
- One year of experience providing direct public contact, problem resolution and using computers with a minimum typing speed of 25 wpm.
- Completion within six months: certifications as a Basic Dispatcher, a Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Operator Level A, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Automated External Defibrillation (AED), and CPR; demonstrated proficiency in handling 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls for service, teletype operations and/or police administrative dispatch operations.
PST II:
- All of the above (PST I) plus certification as a police dispatcher or as a fire/emergency medical service dispatcher; and demonstrated experience and proficiency as a PST I.
PST III:
- All of the above (PST I and PST II) plus certification as a police dispatcher and a fire/emergency medical service dispatcher; and demonstrated experience and proficiency as a PST II.
Desirables: Preferencemay be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:
- Working in a primary or secondary PSAP;
- Police, Fire/Rescue, or Emergency Medical Service;
- Telecommunications or use of a multiline telephone system;
- Working with individuals in stressful situations; and/or
- Entering information provided orally into an automated system.
Special Requirements
HIRING PROCESS:
The hiring process includes a variety of examinations and interviews.
Steps in the Hiring Process
- Apply online at arlingtonva.us/careers.
- Complete and pass online written examination. Click for the test preparation guide.
- Attend virtual interview.
- Undergo background investigation. Click for background application form.
- Undergo polygraph examination.
- Participate in virtual informational presentation (optional).
Additional Information
NOTE: The County may offer a contingent Conditional Offer based upon successful completion of each step of the hiring process as outlined above.
Applicants should also note the following potential disqualifiers:
• Engaging in any activity that would support a felony conviction.
• Incomplete or inaccurate information on the background investigation questionnaire.
• Recent or current drug use.
Work hours: This position will work a 12-hour shift with rotating days off consisting of either scheduled day or midnight shifts. Employees are assigned to shifts based on the needs of the department.
Employees are required to work weekends and holidays, dependent upon the rotation of the shift to which an employee is assigned. Shift schedules are subject to change based on the needs of the department and to accommodate mandatory training.
Salary:
- The base salary of a PST I level starts at $27.88/hour.
- Applicants with prior Emergency Communications or Public Safety experience may be eligible to start at a higher salary than entry-level dependent on type and length of experience.
- Base pay is supplemented by holiday pay and night differential when applicable.
- Overtime opportunities/compensation may be available based on the needs of the communications center.
Please complete each section of the application. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are required for this position. Please do not give “see resume” as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applicants who have questions or need assistance with the application may telephone (703) 228-3500 or visit the Human Resources Department. Our staff will be happy to work with you to enter your application into the system. Public access computers are available at all County Libraries, and in the Human Resources Department.
The examination process for this position may include: (1) training and experience evaluation; (2) written and oral examination; (3) personal interview; (4) performance test/work sample; and/or (5) physical examination.
Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process. Please call the ADA Coordinator at 703-228-3559 (voice) or email .
Arlington County Government employee benefits depend on whether a position is permanent, the number of hours worked, and the number of months the position is scheduled.
Specific information on benefits and conditions of employment can be found on the Arlington County Human Resources Department website: www.arlingtonva.us/pers.
Permanent, Full-Time Appointments
All jobs are permanent, full-time appointments unless otherwise stated in the announcement. The following benefits are available:
Paid Leave: Vacation leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. Leave accrual increases every three years until eight hours of leave are earned biweekly for twelve or more years of service. Sick leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. There are eleven paid holidays each year.
Health and Dental Insurance: Three group health insurance plans are offered – a network open access plan, a point-of-service plan, and a health maintenance organization. A group dental insurance plan is also offered. The County pays a significant portion of the premium for these plans for employees and their dependents. A discount vision plan is provided for eye care needs.
Life Insurance: A group term policy of basic life insurance is provided at no cost to employees. The benefit is one times annual salary. Additional life insurance is available with rates based on the employee’s age and smoker/non-smoker status.
Retirement: The County offers three vehicles to help you prepare for retirement: a defined benefit plan, a defined contribution plan (401(a)), and a deferred compensation plan (457). The defined benefit plan provides a monthly retirement benefit based on your final average salary and years of service with the County. You contribute a portion of your salary on a pre-tax basis to this plan. General employees contribute 4% of pay; uniformed public safety employees contribute 7.5% of pay. Employees become vested in the plan at five years of service. The County also contributes to this plan.
For general employees, the County also contributes 4.2% of pay to a defined contribution plan (401(a)) . The County also matches your 457 contribution, up to $20 per pay period, in this plan. The 457 deferred compensation plan allows you to set aside money on either a pre-tax (457b) or post-tax (457 Roth) basis up to the IRS annual limit. New employees are automatically enrolled with a pre-tax contribution equal to 2% of your base pay.
Other Benefits: The County also offers health, dependent care, and parking flexible spending accounts; long-term care insurance; tuition assistance; transit and walk/bike to work subsidies; a college savings plan; wellness programs; training opportunities; and a variety of other employee benefits.
Permanent, Part-Time Appointments:
Part time employees who work ten or more hours per week receive paid leave and benefits in proportion to the number of hours worked per week.
Limited Term Appointments:
Benefits are the same as permanent appointments except that the employees do not achieve permanent status.
Temporary Regular Appointments:
Temporary regular employees who work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for health, dental, and basic life insurance as described above. They are also eligible for vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.
Temporary Seasonal and Occasional Appointments:
Temporary employees who work on a seasonal basis or variable hours receive sick leave, but do not normally receive other paid leave or benefits. Exceptions are noted in individual announcements.
01
ALL the below questions are required and must be answered. By applying for the position of Public Safety Telecommunicator, I agree to read the entire job announcement. I understand that if I am invited to participate in the CritiCall Examination and I pass, I must submit the required identification documents before advancing in the hiring process.
- Yes
- No
02
I understand that if I am hired, I will have to work 12-hour shifts that may include nights, weekends, and holidays and if necessary, I may be held over to provide staffing. I also agree to submit any requested documents and undergo a rigorous background check to include a criminal history check.
- Yes
- No
03
Are you willing to undergo a thorough pre-employment character/background investigation, and polygraph examination?
- Yes
- No
04
Please check any areas below where you have one or more years of experience (You may check more than one). Any areas selected must be clearly articulated on your application under “work experience” including each employer and position where you obtained the experience.
- Dispatching to police or law enforcement personnel.
- Dispatching to fire or EMS personnel.
- Responding to non-emergency calls for a 9-1-1 Center or PSAP.
- Responding to emergency/9-1-1 calls for a 9-1-1 Center or PSAP.
- Operating a national or statewide terminal that stores criminal records.
- Data entry of information provided orally or in writing.
- None of the above.
05
If you answer YES to any question between 6 through 10 you will NOT be eligible for employment. Questions 6 through 10 relate to the requirement of the National Crime Information Center and the Virginia Criminal Information Network under which candidates who have a felony or Class 1 and Class 2 Misdemeanor convictions are ineligible to access confidential and/or sensitive information and will not be considered. Please respond to the following question: I affirm that I have read and understand the prior statements.
- Yes
- No
06
Have you ever been convicted of any felonies?
- Yes
- No
07
Do you have any criminal charges(s) in or out of state that are pending disposition, excluding marijuana possession charges?
- Yes
- No
08
Have you ever been charged of a crime and found not guilty by reason of mental illness?
- Yes
- No
09
Have you ever received a guilty disposition or been convicted of any Class 1 or Class 2 Misdemeanors?
- Yes
- No
10
Do you have 2 or more Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Impaired convictions?
- Yes
- No
11
Answering NO to either question 12 or question 13 may disqualify you from becoming a Public Safety Telecommunicator in Arlington County. These questions relate to the requirement of the National Crime Information Center and the Virginia Criminal Information Network under which candidates without U.S. citizenship or legal residency are ineligible to access confidential and/or sensitive information and will not be considered. I affirm that I have read and understand the prior statement.
- Yes
- No
12
Are you a United States citizen?
- Yes
- No
13
Have you been a lawful resident of the United States for the past 10 consecutive years?
- Yes
- No
14
Answering YES to any question between 15 though 17 may disqualify you from becoming a Public Safety Telecommunicator in Arlington County. I affirm that I have read and understand the prior statement.
- Yes
- No
15
Within the past year, have you used or experimented with Marijuana, to include synthetic, edibles or derivatives?
- Yes
- No
16
Please select if you have ever knowingly used the following (Check all that apply):
- Cocaine, “Crack” Cocaine
- Ecstacy
- LSD
- PCP
- Heroin
- Amphetamines (non-ADHD medication)
- Methamphetamines (non-ADHD medication)
- Barbiturates (non-ADHD medication
- None of the above.
17
Please specify the last time (include month and year) you knowingly used any of the items selected above without a prescription.
Required Question