Job Description

Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher I/II

Come join our team! Prince George's County Government provides a dynamic and inclusive workplace where employees can thrive, learn, and grow across its 30 diverse agencies, all dedicated to serving the County's residents with essential resources and services. Nestled just minutes away from Washington, DC, Prince George's County combines urban vibrancy with serene surroundings, offering an ideal setting to live, work, and enjoy life.

BILINGUAL APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. The Office of Homeland Security is seeking qualified applicants to fill Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher I/II positions, Grade P16/P18 in the Public Safety Communications (PSC) Division for its upcoming Fall 2025 training classes. This role is critical in maintaining and supporting public safety. If you have a desire to help the community, support emergency responses, and are seeking a rewarding career in public safety communications, we invite you to apply today.

About the Position: Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher I incumbents/personnel must have the tolerance to work under pressure. Work is performed inside a secured, windowless office environment with a specialized low-light system and includes prolonged periods of sitting at a designated workstation monitoring computer screens and entering data. There is limited opportunity for physical movement; rest and meal periods are dependent on workload. Selected candidates must be able to perform the following: reaching, fingering, grasping, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, typing, and repetitive motions. Vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus; the ability to see with or without corrective lenses, and well enough to read standard text and text displayed on a video display terminal. Work may require constant focus on a computer screen for two or more hours at a time.

All personnel in this class of work must work on site and are not eligible for telework or remote work assignments.

About the Agency: The Office of Homeland Security (OHS) was developed as a result of legislation passed in 2003. This new agency incorporated critical emergency response entities that were previously part of other agencies. Public Safety Communications (PSC), which included all County 9-1-1, emergency dispatch and radio system support, had been part of the Office of Information Technology and Communications (OITC). The Emergency Management Division (EM) was within the Fire/EMS Department. EM and PSC were combined under the leadership of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety/Director of Homeland Security, forming the Office of Homeland Security. The legislation and resulting changes to the Charter, spelled out the separate and distinct missions assigned to EM and PSC.

Examples of Work:

• Dispatch Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, and/or Fire/EMS units to respond to calls for assistance which are of a routine or emergency nature
• Provide special instructions, hazard information, and additional information as appropriate or as requested by Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, or Fire/EMS personnel
• Follow guidelines on how to enter information for broadcast to law enforcement officers throughout the County; operate a workstation comprised of multiple computer systems including Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency telephone system, geographical mapping tools (GIS and aerial photography), Computer Aided Dispatch, and other repositories for critical information to answer, triage and process incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for service
• Initiate calls for service utilizing appropriate protocols, provides pre-arrival instructions including CPR instructions, when appropriate
• Receive incoming requests for emergency and non-emergency assistance, determine the type of service(s) required and initiate calls for service in accordance with emergency dispatch protocols and PSC, Sheriff, Police, Fire/ EMS, other public safety agencies' policy
• Receive calls via the radio, 9-1-1 system, or telephone while using an issued headset or other computer-based communication equipment and process/record pertinent information according to agency procedures and protocol and, performs job duties at the alternate 9-1-1 center if activated or during tests/drills

This position is designated "essential," and the incumbent must be willing to participate as a critical/essential employee during emergencies, such as natural or manmade disasters or special activities/events. Essential employees are expected to report to work or remain at work when other County employees are granted administrative leave. Employees in this classification may be assigned to one of four twelve-hour rotating shifts to meet public safety service level requirements.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. is required
• Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application
• One (1) year of responsible work experience as an emergency or non-emergency dispatcher/call center operator, public safety officer, security, military or healthcare services, or relevant work experience using a two-way radio
• OR Experience as a Public Safety Emergency Call Taker II with Prince George's County Government
• Candidates must successfully pass agency-specified entrance examination.
• EACH APPLICANT MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION THAT CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION.

Job Location: 17321 Melford Blvd, Bowie, MD 20715 and/or 7915 Anchor Street, Landover, MD 20785

Conditions of Employment:

• Meet minimum qualifications and must pass an OHS 9-1-1 Specialist exam. Applicants who have previously taken and passed the exam on or after 8/1/2024 will not be required to re-test; instead, previous test scores will be used to receive the passing disposition.
• Be able to work ten (10) or twelve (12) hour rotating shifts
• Satisfactorily complete all components of the Academic (Phase 1) training program by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all quizzes, examinations and practical evaluations
• Complete the NAED (National Academy of Emergency Dispatch) Emergency Telecommunicator Course (ETC) and obtain ETC certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
• Complete the NAED EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch) course and obtain EMD certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
• Complete the NAED EFD (Emergency Fire Dispatch) course and obtain EFD certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
• Complete the NAED EPD (Emergency Police Dispatch) course and obtain EPD certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
• Complete the Maryland State NCIC (National Crime Information Center) CN2 training course and obtain NCIC - CN2 certification by achieving a minimum passing score on all course examinations
• Complete the CPR/BLS (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Basic Life Support) course for Health Care Providers and obtain CPR certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
• Successfully pass a background investigation conducted by Prince George's County's Office of Human Resources Management Public Safety Investigations Division to include a medical examination, drug screen, and psychological screening
• Have the ability (driver's license, vehicle, or other reliable transportation) to report to the primary center in Bowie, Maryland or the backup center in Landover, Maryland at the prescribed reporting times or when directed to do so

• Meet all training and performance standards and demonstrate proficiency as required by the agency.
• Wear and use agency protective apparel and equipment in the performance of their assigned duties where applicable.
• Be willing and able to serve as an essential employee. Essential employees are expected to report during standard or non-standard hours as operations necessitate, or during emergencies. Essential employees are expected to report or remain at work when other County employees are granted Administrative Leave.

Selection Process:

To be considered for this position, applicants must successfully complete all of the following stages:

• Phase 1: Qualifications Review and Standards Assessment, Computerized Pre-Employment Examination - OHS 9-1-1 Specialist Exam, Preliminary Screening
• Phase 2: Background Investigation, Psychological Screening, Medical Examination & Drug Screening
• Phase 3: Final Offer of Employment, Successfully Complete Public Safety Communications Training Session

Reasons for disqualification may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Previous disqualification for this or other public safety positions
• Deception or falsification of application or other documents

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