NEXT CLASS STARTS FEBRUARY, 2025

Starting pay of $22.15* hour. Upon completion of training receive a promotion to 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator with a pay increase to $24.37 per hour.

Employees are eligible for an additional stipend(s).

• 7% market driven skills supplement once the employee is working independently and initial training is completed.
• 5% shift differential for afternoons  (majority of shift between 5pm and midnight) & 10% shift differential for nights (majority of shift between midnight and 6am) 

*Candidates with recent (within 1 year) experience in an emergency communications center may be eligible for a higher starting pay

 

Hours:

9-1-1 is a 24/7 call center environment. 9-1-1 Telecommunicators are considered ‘essential employees’. Schedules are varied, please read the details below.

 

Classroom Training:

• 8 weeks long – starting at 6 AM ending at 2 PM or 6 PM, depending on syllabus
• Five-day work week
• 40 to 44 hours each week
• Monday – Friday schedule

 

On the Job Training (OJT):

• 8 weeks long
• During OJT, you are paired up with a veteran telecommunicator and will follow their schedule. Could be 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd shift
• 4-day week, consisting of a combination of 8- and 12-hour shifts, and will include weekends and holidays

 

After Successful Completion of Training:

• Seniority-based shift bid process starts. Bids occur three times per year, you will know your shift for four months at a time
• Typically, shifts are 4 days long, consisting of a combination of 8- and 12-hour shifts, will include weekends and holidays
• Shift times vary, but typically fall between the hours of 6am-6pm, 2pm-2am, or 6pm-6am
• Overtime is available on an as-needed basis

***Please note, during disaster situations, you are required to remain at the 9-1-1 center until released, potentially overnight(s). You are compensated for your time.***

 

Who Are We Looking For?

Do you thrive under pressure and enjoy making an impact?

The Pinellas County Regional 9-1-1 division is seeking hard-working, dedicated individuals who desire a professional career in emergency communications. Our Telecommunicators provide help to those who call 9-1-1 and nonemergency lines, as well as dispatch calls and support first responders, via radio communications.

Telecommunicators must maintain a calm, compassionate, customer service-oriented demeanor, while handling a variety of emergency and non-emergency public safety calls, via both telephone and radio. 

Watch:  Pinellas 911 telecommunicator meets resident she helped save ,  Join our Team as a 9-1-1 Telecommunicator 

 

What Would You Do?

• Screens emergency and non-emergency 9-1-1 calls, texts, and video requesting emergency assistance or information from citizens.
• Gathers information from 9-1-1 callers, while simultaneously inputting the information accurately by utilizing multiple software programs and computer screens.
• Dispatches fire and medical first responders.
• Implements on-the-job best public safety practices in responding to and handling emergency calls, applying the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) guidelines for emergency medical and fire dispatch.
• Communicates with first responders using telephone, radio, and computer-aided dispatch software.
• Performs related work as assigned or required.

 

 What Do You Need To Have?

• Be at least 18 years of age or older with a High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) and able to speak, write, and comprehend the English language.
• Above average computer skills.
• Must be comfortable working across multiple monitors (3-5) at the same time
• Must be able to remain calm and in control while speaking with emotional callers and entering pertinent, detailed information into multiply software programs.
• Must meet organizational spelling and typing requirements (40 wpm).
• Must be able to comprehend and retain information provided and decisively implement standard operating procedures.
• Need to work well with others in a large, fast-paced call center.
• Must pass pre-hire testing and background check*.

***9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicators are subject to a Level 2 Criminal History Check completed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.***

 

What Great Benefits Do We Offer?

• Our benefits rank among the top in the area! Check it out!
• Looking for a strong retirement? We have you covered as members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) with investment and pension options.
• We have deferred compensation programs and wellness centers to name a few perks. Check out these and more!

 

Want to Learn More?

Please review the full classification description with the Physical/Mental Demands, Working Conditions, and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities at the below link.

911 Public Safety Telecommunicator