Communications Operator III



Job Details

Communications Operator III

This listing closes on 6/30/2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada).

Employer

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office

Salary

$63,469.00 - $72,621.00 Annually

Location

Sarasota, FL 34232

Job Type

CIVILIAN

Job Number

2025-00115

Division/Bureau

Emergency Operations Bureau

Section (Cost Center)

EOB-PUBLIC SAFETY COMM SECTION

Opening Date

01/01/2025

Closing Date

6/30/2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

All applicants are required to upload the following documents with their application submission: Drivers License with current address, signed Social Security card, birth certificate issued by state or local government authority, High School diploma/GED, College transcript, DD214 Member-4, Name change documents, FDLE certification documents (certified positions), official arrest/charge documents.  If a document does not apply to you, please upload an attachment with N/A, if a document is unavailable at the time of application, please list status of documentation (ordered, requested, in search of, etc.) If documentation is not received, your application will not be processed for further consideration.

SCSO is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Description

Shift Work – The Emergency Operations Bureau (EOB) operates 24 hours per day/7 days per week. Shifts assignments include weekends, holidays, on call, hurricanes, evacuations, or other state of emergencies. Shifts are not rotating; you must be flexible and able to work 12-hour shifts including day shift (0700-1900) or night shift (1900-0700). There is no guarantee of shift assignment, it is based on the need once you graduate from the academy. Shift bid occurs once a year, the changeover and new assignments occur in January.  
 
Answer emergency and non-emergency telephones. Operators must listen accurately and record the information provided by citizens, police, fire, and medical personnel and be able to accurately relay this information to the appropriate person often called upon to make decisions quickly, accurately, and effectively. When a call is taken, the first concern is that of the caller. Each situation must be analyzed and evaluated individually, always keeping in mind the importance of the information imparted and treating each caller impartially and fairly. Call takers must be self-motivated and work well as a part of a team. To be successful you must be able to perform multiple tasks, at times under stressful conditions. 
Complete assignment as directed; maintain work areas; knowledge of general orders; route calls to the proper agency; respond and request assistance from another agency; prioritize calls; operate NCIC/FCIC computer; operate the PSC computer/CAD; and notify agencies/floor supervisor of robberies and priority events.

General Description of Duties

1. Desire to be helpful. This includes not only people who are a pleasure to help, but also individuals who may be unreasonable, demanding, rude, unpleasant, and uncooperative.
 
 2. Ability to think clearly and act promptly in emergencies and under pressure. EOB personnel shall maintain a professional demeanor.
 
 3. Ability to speak clearly and distinctly. Along with this, the ability to reduce rambling and formulate disconnected information into concise and accurate messages.
 
 4. An inquiring mind, a desire to learn, and a desire to do a good job.
 
 5. Thorough knowledge of the geography of the jurisdictions covered by the public safety agencies the EOB serves.
 
 6. Customer service, including the initiative to do more than just what is required when a usual procedure does not provide a solution to a problem.
 
 7. Recognition of the importance of the job. The communications operator is the only link between the responder and help and is often the only link between the citizen and help. The communications operator is the department's representative most often contacted by the public.
 
 8. Courtesy: All sections of the emergency operations bureau are essentially business offices and must be operated in a businesslike manner. Like any other business that deals with the public, all employees are expected to be courteous.
 
 9. Predisposition towards public safety work: A communications operator must learn to think like a field unit and anticipate the type of information they will require for effective handling of their duties. 

Minimum Requirements

  • As a condition of continued employment, the 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator Training Program must be completed, and the Florida Certification exam must be passed within 11 ½ months of appointment to the position.   Training:  Communications Operator III (Call Taker) training will begin with a 7-week classroom style academy to include 1 week of EMD/EFD certification training and 16 weeks of field training. Operators will work 8-hour shifts during the agency paid training academy, and upon completion move to 12-hr shifts.    Certifications:  During the first year of employment Operators will receive certifications in the following:     
    • 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator Florida Certification
    • Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification (EMD)
    • Emergency Fire Dispatch Certification (EFD)
    • CPR Certification
  •  Note: 8-hour shifts/40-hr work week during the 6-week paid training academy. Salary is $27.74 per hour/$57,699.20 annually based on 8-hr shifts. 

Additional Information

2184
Long Term Cap $88,637

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office requires all employees to have either an associates degree, 60 equivalent hours from an accredited college or university or the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test. The Wonderlic Basic Skills Test measures verbal and quantitative skills. Sworn *Law Enforcement and Corrections Deputies must achieve a minimum passing score of Verbal - 267 and Quantitative - 241. Civilians must achieve a minimum passing score of Verbal - 248 and Quantitative - 241.

*Law Enforcement Deputies/Recruits must meet additional requirements to qualify.

Local institution to administer the Wonderlic: Suncoast Technical College 941-924-1365 ext. 62322. Fee $40 Hours of Operations: Monday through Thursday 7:30am to 3:00pm Friday 7:30am to 2:00pm. TESTING IS SCHEDULED BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

If you are out of town, please contact your local technical institute. A complete report of passing scores must be submitted directly to the SCSO.

In compliance with the American Disabilities Act should you require any reasonable accomodation(s) to participate in the exam process, please advise the administering office and supply documentation so they may attempt to satisfy any special needs expeditiously.

If chosen for processing you will be required to submit to the following screening procedures: a comprehensive background investigation, a polygraph examination, medical examinations, drug and tobacco screening, psychological examination (certified and communications positions). By submitting this application you are agreeing to have a background investigator with the SCSO review any social networking websites that you might belong to. If you are not willing to submit to the above mentioned procedures, please do not submit an application.

 

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The SCSO now offers free, onsite, confidential mental health counseling services to all employees in addition to traditional EAP services.


01
Are you able to work a flexible schedule that includes nights, weekends, holidays, on call, hurricanes, evacuations, and other state of emergencies and have reliable transportation?
  • Yes
  • No
02
Have you used, tried, tasted, experimented with or possessed any illegal drugs, prescriptions not prescribed to you, or marijuana (or its derivatives) even in a state marijuana was legal within the last 12 months prior to this application?
  • Yes
  • No
03
Do you have any tattoos on your head, scalp, face, neck, or hands?
04
How many words per minute can you accurately type?
  • Less than 20 words per minute
  • 20-29 words per minute
  • 30-39 words per minute
  • 40-50 words per minute
  • More than 50 words per minute
05
All information and documents you provide in this application must support your selected answers and will be verified, and additional documentation may be required. By completing this application and supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting what has been provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal. Have you read all the questions and answered them truthfully?
  • YES- All answers and documentation are TRUE and ACCURATE.
  • No- Not eligible for employment.

* Required Question

Employer
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office
Phone
941-861-4140
Website
http://www.sarasotasheriff.org
Address
6010 Cattleridge Blvd.

Sarasota, Florida, 34232

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