Below are the qualifications needed for consideration for a Telecommunicator position with Chatham County Emergency Communications. If you are interested in applying for a position please check the County Jobs link on the Chatham County Homepage.

Requirements

1. Must be 18+ years of age 
2. Must be a US citizen
3. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent  
4. Must have a valid North Carolina driver license 
5. Cannot have a criminal record
6. Must pass criminal background investigation and drug screen
7. Must pass a preliminary test (criteria listed below)
8. Must pass a panel interview
9. Upon hiring, the candidate must submit to fingerprinting

NOTE: Qualified applicants will be tested for critical skills and abilities necessary to be a telecommunicator.

Preliminary Test  

Applicants must pass a preliminary screening that tests:

1. Typing 25-30 WPM
2. Multi-Tasking (listening and typing)  
3. Ability to read a map
4. Memory Testing
   
   Applicants with a passing test score may be considered for a panel interview.

Panel Interview

An interview panel comprised of selected Communications staff members will conduct all interviews on potential candidates. 

Communications Training Program
(12-Week Classroom Training)

This training is designed to prepare students for emergency telecommunicator duties, to meet the requirements of qualification standards for Public Safety Telecommunicator I. The course combines instructor presentations, student activities and simulation exercises to develop skills and knowledge in the field. The course will provide the student with knowledge of roles and responsibilities of an emergency telecommunicator, current technologies, interpersonal communications skills, telephone communication, call processing skills, call classification, TTY recognition and call processing, computer aided dispatch (CAD) and mapping technologies and functions, radio broadcast procedures, legal aspects and liability issues of public safety communications, stress management, Chatham County Standard Operating Guidelines and Procedure, CPR certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD), Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD), Division of Criminal Information (DCI) certifications, APCO training and certifications, Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant operations and notification, National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), equipment training, new career preparation, tour of Chatham County Communications, and remedial training.

Required Certifications for all Telecommunicators:

1. DCI - Division of Criminal Information
2. CPR - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 
3. EMD - Emergency Medical Dispatch 
4. EFD - Emergency Fire Dispatch
5. EPD - Emergency Police Dispatch
6. ETC- Emergency Telecommunicator Certification 
7. Missing and Abducted Children 
8. APCO - Association of Public Safety Communication Officials 
9. HazMat Awareness
10. NIMS / ICS -National Incident Management System / Incident Command System

QUESTIONS ABOUT JOBS:  If you have further questions about a position or job please contact Denise Suits (denise.suits@chathamcountync.gov or 919-545-8163)

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR:  Mike Reitz, mike.reitz@chathamcountync.gov, 919-545-8160

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