Telecommunications Specialist I

  • YORK COUNTY, SC
  • Rock Hill, South Carolina
  • Mar 13, 2024
Full Time Information Technology and Communication Services
  • Salary: See Position Description USD

Job Description

About us

York County is located in the Piedmont region, between the Broad River and the Catawba River. Its diverse landscape is home to family-friendly towns/cities, a progressive urban region and lakefront communities. We are excited that you want to join our team and recognize that our employees are the foundation for our success.

Mission Statement - York County provides quality public services in an open, efficient, and responsive manner.

Vision Statement - York County provides an environment where all citizens and businesses can thrive and succeed.

About the Department: The Department of Public Safety Communications is the primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for York County. As the PSAP, we are staffed 24 hours a day to answer 9-1-1 emergency calls and dispatch police, fire or medical services to those we serve. We are fortunate to have state-of-the art equipment to provide our responders and those needing emergency assistance. The five divisions of Public Safety Communications work together to provide leadership, emergency information and communication technology as well as extensive training to our staff and public safety partners: 9-1-1 Addressing, Administration & Public Education, Technical Services & Radio Communications, Operations (Communications), and Operations Support (Training, Quality Assurance, Accreditation). The Department of Public Safety Communication is nationally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement. This accreditation requires annual audits of our policy and procedures, hiring and promotional processes to ensure we provide proofs of following policies and procedures.

About our opportunity

We invite you to apply to join our team as a full-time (40 hours per week), non-exempt Telecommunications Specialist I. The purpose of this position is to answer all E911 emergency and non-emergency calls for emergency services and public safety agencies in an appropriate and timely manner; to accurately analyze, prioritize, and dispatch emergency and non-emergency call for service for law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire, and various other public safety agencies; to provide callers with appropriate medical or safety instructions.

Projected Hiring Range: $19.90 - $24.87 per hour. Salary is dependent on qualifications.

Work Schedule: 6:00 PM - 6:00 AM or 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM, will be required to work twelve-hour shifts to include holiday and weekend shifts once training is complete.

We are hiring multiple positions, and this posting will remain open until filled with review of applicants weekly and may close at any time when positions have been filled. Applicants should monitor email for next steps of the application process.

If you wish to find out more about a career with York County Public Safety, call 803-329-0911 or email the following: Karen.McClure@yorkcountygov.com or Carlton.Carter@yorkcountygov.com

You must be able to pass a background check and not convicted of a charge carrying one year or more and a drug screen. This position requires a polygraph and psychological during the interview process. Candidate will be required to attend the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia, South Carolina for basic training. Successful completion is mandatory. Telecommunications Specialist are paid their normal salary while attending.

Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Receives all E911 emergency, and non-emergency telephone calls for law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire service, coroner, fire marshal, emergency management, animal control, and other emergency services; provides appropriate lifesaving information and pre-arrival instructions to the caller to stabilize the situation until the arrival of emergency services. Prioritizes calls for service and calm callers. Provides crisis counseling support to callers to avert potential self-hazard, suicide, or hostage situations.
  • Utilizes sophisticated status management technology to monitor, update, and control the location and movement of emergency units to ensure calls for service are prioritized and resources are efficiently managed to save lives, property, and maintain safety of responders.
  • Utilizes state-of-the-art communications systems to maintain radio and data communications with responders to provide timely and accurate information. Ensures responders are provided with all pertinent information via radio and mobile data systems and maintain constant track of all field units to ensure their safety and tracking their activities such as traffic stops and property checks.
  • Utilizes Computer Aided Dispatch systems, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), AVL, and other technology systems to accurately record and maintain information received from callers and emergency response personnel, determine location of emergencies, identifies potential hazards, prioritizes and manages resources, and ensures efficient handling of calls for service.
  • Ensures all communications and PSAP operations are in compliance with and adhere to policies, procedures, protocols, standards, and applicable local, state, and federal laws. Ensures all calls for service are answered and dispatched in accordance with County, CALEA, and NFPA standards.
  • Utilizes NCIC system to enter updates, maintain and retrieve law enforcement information, obtain criminal histories, driver’s license history, vehicle registration, and other requested records and information.
  • Coordinates tracing and pinging of cellular phones with phone providers and law enforcement during life-threatening emergency situations. If necessary, conducts investigation to determine phone provider for subscriber.
  • Monitors radio emergency activations by responders; acknowledge all activations and handle according to policy and procedure.
  • Monitors weather warnings systems: track severe weather systems and take appropriate actions to ensure readiness for response and ensure protection of the citizens of the community; activates outdoor warning siren system and/or reverse call out notification systems.
  • Receives incoming non-emergency and/or after-hours calls for various agencies such as Red Cross and Department of Social Services; determines appropriate actions and ensure appropriate notifications are made to each agency.
  • Performs related work as assigned.


About you

Experience and Education:
  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
  • One (1) year of telecommunications experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Special Licenses and Certifications:


On the job training will be provided to obtain the following:
  • APCO Basic Telecommunicator
  • APCO Fire
  • APCO EMD
  • SC Criminal Justice Academy E9-1-1 Certification
  • CPR Certification
  • NCIC Certification
  • FEMA NIMS ICS 100 Certification
  • FEMA NIMS ICS 200 Certification
  • FEMA NIMS ICS 700 Certification, IS-5.A
  • An introduction to Hazardous Materials, Annual Radiological Training, and National Crime Information Center Certification.
  • Valid state driver’s license is preferred.


Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.

Physical Demands / Work Environment / Disclaimer

Physical Demands:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.
  • Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance:
York County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Standard Clauses:
May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Essential Safety Functions:

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.
Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed, and employees are properly trained.

Full-time employees are allowed to participate in group medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs offered by York County Government. If employees elect to secure dependent coverage, the employee should pay the additional costs for such coverage. All statements of insurance coverage are subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and other eligibility requirements that are set forth in various insurance plan documents.

Our full-time benefits through PEBA (South Carolina Retirement Systems and State Health Plan) include health insurance, prescription benefits, dental, vision, life insurance, MoneyPlus, Health Savings Accounts, retirement (Membership in the South Carolina Retirement System is mandatory for county employees), and deferred compensation.Making decisions about your insurance and retirement benefits can sometimes be complicated and difficult. The Navigating Your Benefits seriesprovides common-language explanations and can help you find your way in the world of your insurance and retirement benefits: Navigating Your Benefits | S.C. PEBA (sc.gov)

Other full-time benefits include longevity allowance, annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay, Sick Leave Bank, wellness benefits, Employee Assistance Program, etc. Please contact Human Resources at Human.Resources@yorkcountygov.com if you would like more information.

Longevity Allowance
Full-time regular county employees, elected officials, appointed officials, and judges with ten or more years of full time continuous governmental service are eligible to receive a monthly longevity allowance in addition to their regular compensation. Continuous service transferred from employment with another county, municipality, state or a political entity created by the State may contribute toward eligibility for the longevity allowance. Longevity allowances are paid according to the following schedule.

Longevity Allowance
Years of Continuous ServiceMonthly Longevity Amount
10-14 Years$20.00
15-19 Years$25.00
20-24 Years$30.00
25-29 Years$35.00
30-34 Years$40.00
35-39 Years$45.00
40+ Years$50.00

Annual Leave
Probationary and regular full-time county employees that work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave with pay. Employees in their new hire six (6) month probationary period shall not be able to use annual leave until they become regular county employees. Employees who are separating from county service shall be paid for all accrued, unused annual leave up to 360 hours provided they give York County as the employer the proper notice as required. Employees in their six (6) month New Hire probationary period who are terminated or separated from employment shall not be paid for accrued annual leave. The maximum amount of annual leave carried into each calendar year is 360 hours.

Earning Rate for Full-Time Employees
Full-time employees with less than ten years of continuous service earn at the rate of eight hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve months period. Full-time employees with at least ten years, but less than twenty years of continuous service will earn at the rate of ten (10) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve month period. Full-time employees with twenty or more years of service will earn at the rate of twelve (12) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve (12) months period.

Sick Leave
Full-time county employees may be entitled to earn sick leave with pay. Employees may accrue up to 1,440 hours of sick leave. Upon termination of employment with the County, employees may not be reimbursed for any unused sick leave. When a paid holiday occurs while an employee is on sick leave with pay, the day may not be charged as sick leave.

Earning Rate of Sick Leave
Full time employees will earn eight hours of sick leave per month of service during a twelve month period.

Paid Holiday’s
The following days may be observed as paid holidays for York County Employees:
January - December:3 Optional Holidays per Calendar Year
January:New Year’s Day andMartin Luther King Day
May:Memorial Day
June:Juneteenth Day
July:Independence Day
September:Labor Day
November:Veteran’s Day,Thanksgiving Day, andFriday after Thanksgiving
December:Christmas Eve,Christmas Day

Training:
Quality training and educational programs are available at various times for county employees in order to support workforce development that is consistent with organizational objectives. Training topics may include driver training, CPR/first aid, communication, supervisor training, workplace violence, substance abuse, and various computer related classes.

Closing Date/Time: 4/26/2024 5:00 PM Eastern

Job Address

Rock Hill, South Carolina United States View Map