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911 Telecommunicator/ H.E.C.

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911 Telecommunicator/ H.E.C.

Salary

$37,564.80 - $38,708.80 Annually

Location

5320 North Shepherd

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

33878

Department

Houston Emergency Center

Opening Date

04/11/2024

Closing Date

10/31/2024 11:59 PM Central

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED **

Division: Houston Emergency Network

Workdays & Hours: FULL-TIME - Rotating Shifts & Off Days*

(5:30am – 2:00pm, 1:30pm – 10:00pm, 9:30pm – 6:00am or as Assigned)

PART-TIME (Not Eligible for Benefits)

PART-TIME hours will vary as needed ( Must commit to Full-Time during training)

• Subject to change

  ** Currently Recruiting for classes that may start in August, September, or October 2024

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Houston Emergency Center assists citizens of Houston with the most efficient, accurate and professional service when processing emergency calls by taking care of each citizen, one call at a time. We are seeking qualified individuals FOR OUR AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER CLASSES who are interested in a dynamic career and share the same passion and commitment in being the first responder when a citizen calls. The successful candidate responds to citizens' requests for emergency services by determining the type of problem and transferring the 9-1-1 telephone calls to the appropriate agencies.

Emergency Communications work can be difficult but rewarding, allowing you to truly make a difference in the lives of fellow citizens. This position will involve the need for great focus and attentiveness during calls because the cost of mistakes can be life threatening.

9-1-1 Telecommunicators help determine the appropriate personnel required at the scene of emergency and non-emergency situations by performing the following duties:

• Answers 9-1-1 emergency telephone calls from citizens or agencies for Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services in a timely manner.

• Determines the nature and priority of the emergency and assists callers in a professional and efficient manner.

• Multi-tasks between and operates various electronic telephone equipment, i.e., Vesta 9-1-1 and Cisco Telephone Systems. Uses equipment to receive and transfer incoming calls, to replay calls for clarification and to process hearing impaired calls using a TDD device.

• Enters essential call and location information into Window's Operating System and various applications of the Vesta 9-1-1 System to view and retrieve information efficiently.

• Recognizes critical situations and alerts supervisor on complicated and unusual situations.

• Physically locates 9-1-1 telephone calls and identifies vehicles' locations using the geographic display (MapStar).

• Refers calls to City departments other than Police and Fire and outside governmental, social or community agencies.

• Remains calm, composed, undistracted and in full control of cognitive abilities while functioning appropriately in stressful situations.

• Maintains rational cognitive/decision-making ability and emotional self-control in situations or interactions that are personally offensive (cases of child abuse, child molestation, sexual assault, extreme trauma or death, etc.) or which involve considerable stress or hostility.

• Maintain composure and exercise restraint when verbally provoked in hostile or violent interactions.

• Gathers appropriate information in interactions and documents information accurately as provided.

• Interacts with a variety of people functioning under various emotional states to manage interpersonal conflicts, obtain or give information, give aid or to provide service.

• Sufficient cognitive skills (i.e., intelligence, concentration, and memory) such that the employee is mentally alert, able to discern subtle cues of impending danger, and make rational decisions at a reasonable speed

• Sufficient clarity of speech, hearing and other communication capabilities, which permits the employee to communicate effectively, including during emergency situations which may involve a high degree of noise.

• Maintains a mental state of fitness and readiness that will enable the employee to handle potentially serious or life-threatening situations.

• Able to respond to and recover from stressful and adverse interactions.

• Able to demonstrate truthfulness and directness.

• May be required to be "on call" during emergency situations.

• Duties include but are not limited to attendance at work on a regularly scheduled basis and, as necessary, be prepared to remain onsite, except for supervisory approved meal/breaks, for the entire scheduled work shift. May require performing other duties.

Full-time positions with the Houston Emergency Center are 40 hours per week on a rotating shift schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays. The department is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Successful candidates must be able to work all shifts and have the flexibility to alter schedule based on departmental and operational need. Mandatory overtime will be required during critical incidents or to maintain staffing levels. On call time is also mandatory.

For all 911 Telecommunicators, the job requires a combination of public service commitment and strong technical skills that can be learned during an on-the-job training period.

FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES, THE FIRST TWO (2) YEARS YOU WILL FLOAT AMONG ALL SHIFTS (5:30am – 2:00pm, 1:30pm – 10:00pm, 9:30pm – 6:00am or as Assigned)

YOU MUST BE AVAILABLE TO WORK ANY OF THESE SHIFTS FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS, OR ANY SHIFT CHANGES THAT OCCUR. YOU WILL NOT HAVE A PREFERENCE IN PICKING YOUR SHIFT.

PART-TIME hours will vary as needed

Currently Recruiting for classes that may start in August, September, or October 2024

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position is physically comfortable most of the time with occasional periods of stooping, bending and/or light lifting of materials of up to 10 pounds. There are occasional minor discomforts from exposure to less-than-optimal temperature and air conditions. The position may involve dealing with modestly unpleasant situations, as with occasional exposure to office chemicals and/or extensive use of a video display terminal. Requires the ability to make coordinated gross motor movements in response to changing external stimuli within moderately demanding tolerances; or the ability to make coordinated eye/hand movements on a patterned response space within low tolerance demands with no real speed requirements.

All positions in the Houston Emergency Center (HEC) are designated as TIER I (First Responder) employees, and will require you to work long hours in emergency or disaster situations that may require you to be away from your home and/or family for extended periods of time.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires a high school diploma or a GED. Must pass City administered tests.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

One (1) year of experience in a high volume telephone or customer service environment or a high stress environment is required.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Must provide certification of successful completion of or complete within one year of employment a telecommunications training program in compliance with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) guidelines.

PREFERENCES

Preference will be given to those applicants with experience in an environment similar to Public safety (e.g., Police, Ambulance or Fire), or with previous Telecommunications experience. Bilingual skills (Spanish: speak, read, and write) are highly preferred. Due to constant communication with citizens, quality customer service experience is critical.

For Part-Time positions, preference will be given to candidates with experience as a 911 Telecommunicator with the Houston Emergency Center.

Must be able to pass a criminal background check, obtain and maintain federally mandated security clearances where required.

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

Must be able to pass a City-administered PC keyboard test proficiency of 20 wpm and a CritiCall skills assessment test to move further through the selection process, as well as successfully pass a lengthy Criminal background check. Applicant also must pass hearing test, psychological evaluation, and thorough background / employment / education checks and successful interview.

Practice testing for the 911 Telecommunicator position can be found on the following sites:

https://www.tsatestprep.com/911-dispatcher-practice-test/

https://www.test-guide.com/free-criticall-practice-tests.html

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION Yes

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION General

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Pay Grade 14

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call 832-393-2788.

If you need special services or accommodations, call. (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan.

Benefits include:

• Medical

• Dental

• Vision

• Wellness

• Life insurance

• Long-term disability

• Retirement pension

• 457 deferred compensation plan

• Employee Assistance Program

• 10 days of vacation each year

• 11 city holidays, plus one floating holiday

• Flexible schedules

• Professional development opportunities

• Transportation/parking plan

• Section 125 pretax deductions

• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

01

I understand that I am applying for a position that is currently recruiting for classes that May start in August, September, or October.

• Yes

• No

  02

  Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

• Yes

• No

  03

  What is the highest level of education you have OBTAINED/COMPLETED?

• Less than 12th grade

• High School diploma or GED

• Associate's degree

• Bachelor's degree

• Master's degree or beyond

  04

  Please indicate your verifiable work experience in a high volume telephone or customer service environment or a high stress environment? (Your work history will be Verified)

• None

• Less than 1 year

• 1 year to less than 3 years

• 3 years to less than 5 years

• 5 years to less than 7 years

• 7 years to less than 10 years

• 10 or more years

  05

  Please indicate in which work schedule you are interested:

• Full-Time

• Part-Time

  06

  Do you have previous (or current) experience as a First Responder and/or in Emergency Services? (ie, EMS, Law Enforcement)

• Yes

• No

  07

  Please describe your verifiable experience as a First Responder and/or in Emergency Services? (ie, EMS, Law Enforcement). Any form of "See Resume" is NOT a valid answer. If no Experience, type "N/A"

  08

  Please indicate how many years of verifiable work experience you possess in answering or dispatching calls for emergency or non-emergency service in a Telecommunications environment.

• None

• Less than 1 year

• 1 year to less than 3 years

• 3 years to less than 5 years

• 5 years to less than 7 years

• 7 years to less than 10 years

• 10 or more years

  09

  Please briefly describe your experience working in answering or dispatching calls for emergency or non-emergency service in a Telecommunications environment. If no experience, type "NA." Any form of "See Resume" will not be an acceptable answer.

  10

  Are you 18 years of age or older?

• Yes

• No

  11

  How many words per minute are you able to type? (Your typing speed will be verified prior to hire)

• Less than 10 words

• 10 words to less than 15 words

• 15 words to less than 30 words

• 30 words to less than 45 words

• 45 words to less than 60 words

• More than 60 words per minute

  12

  This position requires shift work and extended shifts with overtime with minimum notice. Are you willing and able to adhere to that requirement and work 12 – 16 hour shifts as needed?

• Yes

• No

  13

  Please indicate languages, other than English, in which you are fluent (Reading, Writing, and/or Speaking). Check all that apply:

• Spanish

• Vietnamese

• Arabic

• Chinese or Mandarin

• I am not bilingual

  14

  Do you have current or previous experience as a 911 Telecommunicator at the Houston Emergency Center? (This information must be reflected on your application)

• Yes

• No

  15

  ACCEPTANCE OF WORKING CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: The following "yes" or "no" questions 18-22 reflect conditions of employment, which all 911 Telecommunicators must accept. If you cannot answer "yes" to all questions, you cannot be further considered for this position. All positions in the Houston Emergency Center (HEC) are designated as TIER I (First Responder) Employees. Are you able to work long hours in emergency or disaster situations that may require you to be away from your home and/or family for extended periods of time?

• Yes

• No

  16

  Are you available and willing to work all shifts, including rotation, weekends, holidays, and special occasions such as Birthdays and Anniversaries? This is critical to Operations in HEC and each employee will be held accountable to their work schedule.

• Yes

• No

  17

  I AM ABLE TO HANDLE HIGHLY STRESSFUL SITUATIONS. A 911 Telecommunicators job can be emotionally stressful. In order to be successful as a 911 Telecommunicator, employees must be able to hear Emergency/Traumatic type problems and remain focused and be able to perform their duties competently and calmly. They must have coping skills and be able process the trauma they may have been exposed to, and still maintain a positive and healthy work attitude. Are you able to do this?

• Yes

• No

  18

  I AM WILLING TO TAKE A DRUG TEST AND UNDERGO A PSYCHOLOGICAL SCREENING. Due to life and death situations that can happen with calls taken by 911 Telecommunicators, it is critical that candidates are reliable, clear thinking and capable of performing the necessary tasks asked of them.

• Yes

• No

  19

  Employment at the Houston Emergency Center facility requires that you pass a criminal background check and maintain federally mandated security clearances. Are you able to meet this requirement?

• Yes

• No

  Required Question