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911 Call taker/ Dispatcher (Emergency Communications Specialist, Trainee)

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911 Call taker/ Dispatcher (Emergency Communications Specialist, Trainee)

Salary

$20.00 Hourly

Location

Fort Myers, FL

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

07712KF

Department

Public Safety

Opening Date

10/17/2025

Closing Date

10/31/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA

Non-Exempt

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Description

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? We’re seeking dedicated individuals to join our Division of Emergency Communications within the Department of Public Safety. As an Emergency Communications Specialist, you’ll play a vital role in emergency response coordination. Here’s what you’ll be doing:

+ Emergency Assistance Coordination:

+ Efficiently receive and promptly process emergency assistance requests.

+ Facilitate seamless communication of critical information to emergency response agencies, expediting swift action.

+ Cutting-Edge Equipment Operation:

+ Excel in operating cutting-edge communications equipment and technology.

+ Execute authorized techniques and procedures flawlessly and seamlessly.

+ Collaborate with a Dynamic Team:

+ Work closely with fellow dispatchers and call takers.

+ Contribute to a supportive team dedicated to saving lives daily!

Why Choose Us?

+ Competitive Compensation: Start at $20.00 per hour, with additional increases after completing training phases.

+ Career Growth: Opportunities for advancement within our department including pathways to Qualified Dispatcher, Certified Training Officer, and Supervisor.

+ Community Impact: This position has a vital impact on community safety and well-being and facilitates a connection with the broader public safety mission as a whole.

+ Stress Management: Stress resilience is vital for handling intense situations. Lee County offers a supportive work environment, including peer support and extensive employee assistance programs to assist with stress management strategies.

+ Impactful Work: Your role directly contributes to public safety and emergency response efforts.

+ Comprehensive Training: We’ll equip you with the skills you need to succeed.

+ Amazing Benefits: Lee County Board of County Commissioners offers one of the most competitive and comprehensive plans around. In addition to affordable premiums and co-pay structure for medical plans, additional benefits include:

+ Tuition Assistance

+ Paid Holidays

+ Generous Paid Time Off

+ Sick Pool

+ and more!

Duties and Responsibilities

+ Demonstrates crisis management, active listening, empathy, and patience, which are critical for dispatcher success.

+ Maintains caller and operational confidentiality is a strict requirement for all positions.

+ Receives and processes 9-1-1, emergency, and non-emergency calls for service, evaluates and processes the information, creates an event in the Computer Aided Dispatch system, provides pre-arrival and post-dispatch instructions to the caller, and relays information to other jurisdictions; processes and prioritizes incoming calls.

+ Dispatches Fire, Police, and EMS personnel and equipment on both routine and emergency calls utilizing a state-of-the-art CAD system, radio dispatching consoles, and other related equipment.

+ Monitors and maintains system status of public safety personnel and equipment; analyzes situations accurately and takes effective action to help ensure responder safety; handles the reassignment of emergency medical, police, and fire equipment to ensure adequate district-wide and county-wide protection and coverage.

+ Provides operational support for fire, police, and medical operations; facilitates outside agency assistance and mutual aid requests.

+ Provides quality customer service to co-workers, customers, citizens, and the public safety community.

+ Achieves and maintains all required certifications and training, including Emergency Medical Dispatch, Emergency Fire Dispatch, and Emergency Police Dispatch certification through the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch, CPR certification, Florida DOH 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator certification, and any other required certifications. (All required certifications and training are department-funded and will be completed within the first year of employment.)

Education, Experience, Licensing

Education Requirement:

+ Graduation from high school or equivalent (GED).

Experience Requirement:

+ At least six months of experience in one of the following areas:

+ Telecommunications

+ Call center environment

+ Any other related high-volume/high-stress customer service field or closely related experience .

Background/Certification:

+ This role requires all candidates to successfully pass a Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) background check and obtain any required certifications. These requirements must be met during the probationary period, and continued employment is contingent upon maintaining CJIS clearance.

Supplemental Information

Emergency Communications Specialist Training:

+ All candidates shall be able to successfully complete all phases of training, including call-taking and Fire/EMS/Police radio training. This ensures they are well-prepared for handling emergency calls and dispatching appropriate resources.

Policy Adherence:

+ Candidates should have the ability to learn and follow policies and procedures set forth by both Lee County and the Public Safety Division of Emergency Communications. This ensures consistency and adherence to established guidelines.

Licensing and Certifications:

+ The role requires passing all required licenses and certifications as per departmental policy. These certifications may vary depending on the specific jurisdiction and agency.

Typing Speed:

+ A preferred typing speed of 40 words per minute (wpm) is desirable. Efficient typing skills are crucial for accurately documenting information during emergency calls.

Life-Saving and Emergency Instruction:

+ Demonstrate the ability to provide life-saving or emergency instructions during calls can be valuable. This skill ensures effective communication with callers until help arrives.

Effective Communication:

+ Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential. Dispatchers must convey critical information accurately and succinctly to emergency responders.

Map Reading and Geographical Knowledge:

+ Familiarity with maps and geographical knowledge of Lee County is important. Dispatchers often need to guide responders to specific locations.

Understanding of 911 Systems:

+ Knowledge of how 911 systems operate is crucial. Dispatchers should understand call routing, protocols, and the importance of timely responses.

EMS, Police, and Fire Procedures:

+ A basic understanding of emergency medical services (EMS), police, and fire procedures is beneficial. This knowledge helps dispatchers coordinate appropriate resources.

Keyboard Proficiency:

+ Dispatchers use computer dispatch systems extensively. Proficiency in keyboard navigation and accurate data entry is essential.

Adaptability:

+ The role involves working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. Adaptability is key to handling unexpected situations effectively.

Shift Availability:

+ Candidates must be willing to work 12-hour shifts, including overnights, nights, days, weekends, and holidays. Emergency services operate around the clock, so flexibility is crucial.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES:

All County employees are required to work before, during, or after an emergency as needed. This may include temporarily being assigned to work and performing duties outside of the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.

DISCLAIMER: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this classification. All positions are subject to a criminal background check. A conviction in and of itself may not necessarily preclude employment. Some positions may be subject to a pre-employment drug screening. Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, who claim and meet eligibility requirements of veterans preference, receive preference and priority in employment and are encouraged to apply.

Lee County Board of County Commissioners offers a comprehensive, and affordable benefits package. Our Board works in the best interest of employees and strives to provide the most complete, high-quality benefits package available at the lowest possible cost to the employee. Our Board continues to remain steadfast in maintaining one of the lowest levels of employee costs in our area.

Lee County's benefits package is offered to both regular Full-time positions and Part-time positions that are regularly scheduled to work 60 hours or more bi-weekly. Medical benefits may be offered to On-Call, Temporary, Seasonal, and Intern employees who meet the Affordable Care Act eligibility criteria.

Lee County employees eligible to participate in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) are required to contribute 3% of each paycheck to FRS. If you have retired from the Florida Retirement Pension plan you will not be eligible for renewed membership in either of the FRS retirement plan options. Retirees of the Investment Plan are eligible for renewed membership in the Investment Plan only. FRS reemployment rules apply for both.

Below is a brief breakdown of what's included in the benefits package that is offered to our employees.

For a more detailed look into our benefits package, please click visit our webpage at www.leegov.com/hr/Documents/Employee%20Benefits/2024%20Benefits/FULLTIME%20ACTIVE%20LCBOCC%202024%20Plan%20Year%20OE%20Guide%20FINAL%20AON%202023.09.12.pdf.

To view our employee paid premiums, please visit: https://www.leegov.com/hr/Documents/Employee%20Benefits/2024%20Benefits/2024%20Active%20Employee%20Rates.pdf

Health Benefits:

• Medical Insurance

• Plans include, but are not limited to: routine, preventative, mental health, hospitalization, and prescription drug benefits.

• Vision, Fitness, Weight Management, Natural Products and Services, and Hearing discount programs available.

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Medical Reimbursement Account

• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account

• Pharmacy, including Mail-Order Pharmacy

• Informed Health Lines (Nurse Hotline)

• Basic Life Insurance (1x or 2x Annual Salary at no cost to employee)

• Optional Life Insurance

• Long-Term Disability (60% of pre-disability salary at no cost to employee)

• Short-Term Disability

• Sick Leave Pool

• Flu vaccinations

• Wellness Programs

Financial Benefits:

• Florida Retirement System (FRS)

• Two Retirement Plan Options:

1) FRS Pension Plan (Defined Benefit)

2) FRS Investment Plan (Defined Contribution)

• Deferred Compensation (457) Plans

• Financial Savings/Management Programs

• Eligible for membership with Suncoast Credit Union

• Employee Leave Benefits

• Holiday Pay - 11 Paid Holidays Annually

• Paid Sick Leave

• Paid Vacation Leave

• Bereavement & Civic Duty Leave

• Family and Medical Leave

• Military Family & Medical Leave

• Educational Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Services available to employees that offers guidance, support, resources and information for personal and work-life issues. Confidential and provided at no charge to employees and their dependents.

United Way 2-1-1 (Lee County Employee Resource Program)

Lee County BOCC has partnered with United Way 211 to provide an Employee Resource Program which assists BoCC employees who may be experiencing distress due to economic hardship, health or other factors.

Educational Assistance

Reimbursement for coursework taken at an accredited college or university that is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities relating to the official duties that the employees perform.

01

This position works 12 hour shifts. Must be able to work overnights, nights, days, weekends, and holidays Are you able to work this schedule?

+ Yes

+ No

02

Do you have six months of experience in a call center, telecommunications, or other high-volume/high-stress customer service environment? (Be sure to include this experience in the Work History section of your application.)

+ Yes

+ No

03

Which of the following types of experience do you have? (Select all that apply) (Be sure to include this experience in the Work History section of your application.)

+ Call center or customer service

+ Emergency dispatch or telecommunications

+ Law enforcement or public safety

+ Healthcare or EMS support roles

+ Crisis or suicide prevention hotline

+ None of the above

04

What is your level of familiarity with Lee County’s geography?

+ I’m very familiar – I live/work in the area

+ Somewhat familiar

+ Not very familiar, but willing to learn

+ Not familiar at all

Required Question

Employer

Lee County Government

Address

Phone

(239) 533-2245

Website

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/leecounty

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