911 Communications Specialist

911 Communications Specialist

Join the King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) Communications Team as a 911 Communications Specialist (911 Call Receiver)! KCSO is seeking individuals with a desire to serve their community and who possess exceptional customer service and communication skills. A career as a 911 Communications Specialist offers an outstanding opportunity to directly impact lives by making a difference in critical moments. You'll play a crucial role in improving the quality of life within our community. The King County Sheriff's Office Communications Team handles calls from unincorporated King County, twelve cities, Metro Transit Police, King County Airport Police, and King County Animal Control. Over half a million people rely on our Communications Specialists and other King County Sheriff's Office personnel. This position is open to the public. This recruitment will establish an employment list (valid for one year) to fill current and future vacancies within the Sheriff's Office.

As a Communications Specialist, you will : Use telephones and radios to provide critical information and communicate directly with callers and Deputies in the field. As a King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) Communications Specialist, you will handle law enforcement calls only. Requests for fire or EMS assistance are immediately transferred to other agencies.

General job duties include, but are not limited to :

• Receive, prioritize, and route emergency and non-emergency calls from the public and other agencies.
• Gather information from calling parties and enter the type, location, and all required information for emergency calls into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System. Route calls for service to correct Dispatcher or appropriate emergency agency.
• Assign response priority by determining whether immediate response could save lives or prevent crimes. Relay pertinent information via radio.
• Retrieve information from State and National computer networks regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, restraining orders, and criminal histories. Relay information to Deputies via radio.
• Record information and maintain required logs and event cards.
• Manage multiple radio frequencies and radio communications simultaneously.
• Communicate effectively with confused, upset, hostile, or distraught people by phone, while gathering the information necessary to send the correct responders and equipment to the scene.
• Communication center employees may hear and need to respond to graphic descriptions of violence and / or injury.

In this role, incumbents must have the ability to : Manage uncertainty and be adaptable. Simultaneously receive emergency calls, take charge of the conversation, and gather critical information. Demonstrate the ability to act calmly, quickly, and with accuracy in a variety of emergency situations. Multi-task complex situations that may be fluctuating within a short time period. Be a quick learner. Comprehend basic principles and terminology applied to law enforcement and emergency management as applied to the operation of the communications center. Make quality decisions. Follow moderately complex oral and written instructions and use knowledge and judgement to make quality decisions. Have the ability to evaluate problems and apply sound judgment in a high stress, critical incident management environment. Instill trust within the organization and community. Interact with the public pleasantly and courteously, often under stressful conditions. Demonstrate Sheriff's core values, including integrity, in all aspects of work. Communicate effectively. Exhibit patience and remain calm and professional while questioning callers for whom may have limited English proficiency, or with callers who may be verbally abusive, emotionally upset, uncooperative or frightened. Demonstrated ability to write clearly, using correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. Be interpersonally savvy. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, law enforcement personnel, and the public. Be resilient. Exhibit composure during high pressure situations that may occur. Demonstrate the ability to maintain personal well-being and resiliency, including the ability to manage stress. Basic computer skills. Work overtime on regularly scheduled workdays, as required by agency needs. Work Schedule : The Communications Center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays and weekends. Communications Specialists must be willing to work any shift or workweek, including overtime, as assigned.

After 18 months, Call Receivers may be eligible for additional training to advance to Communications Specialist - Dispatcher. Dispatchers use telephones and radios to provide critical information and communicate directly with and support deputies in the field. Communications Specialist Dispatcher Salary : $43.20 $47.50 an hour.

Are you the one we are looking for?

You must be a United States citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident or DACA; Be at least 18 years old at the time of application. You must have a high school degree or a GED. To be considered for this position candidates must have a minimum of one (1) year experience providing a high level of customer service and have the aptitude and skills necessary, including but not limited to : Strong attention to detail and the ability to quickly shift from task to task. Pass the 911 Dispatcher and Communications Officer technical exam with Public Safety Testing, as well as the typing exam. Once both of those exams are successfully completed those scores must be sent to KCSO in order to move forward in the process. The typing exam must be passed with 35 wpm and 90% accuracy. Verify that you do not meet any of the Automatic Disqualifying Behavior requirements. To avoid a delay in the application process with our agency, you must complete a fully up to date, detailed and specific personal history statement (PHS) with Public Safety Testing (PST). Ability to control personal emotional responses and act appropriately under high levels of stress. Strong organizational skills, being flexibility and adaptable in changing situations. Strong people skills and high level of customer service. Ability to follow moderately complex oral and written instructions and to speak the English language clearly and quickly with a well-modulated voice. Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to act quickly in accordance with established policy and procedures and maintain composure under pressure. Effectively communicate in writing using English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

King County offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs :

Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options : King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents.

Life and disability insurance : employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents.

Retirement : eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan.

Transportation program and ORCA transit pass.

12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays.

Generous vacation and paid sick leave.

Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves.

Flexible Spending Account.

Wellness programs.

Onsite activity centers.

Employee Giving Program.

Employee assistance programs.

Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position.

Training and career development programs.

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE : Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (