Emergency Communications Technician I

$52,104 - $85,966/Yr

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

Full-time - Entry Level

Support Activities for Transportation

About the position

As an Entry-Level Emergency Communications Technician I, you will play a crucial role in the Public Safety Communications Center (PSCC) at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Your primary responsibilities will include receiving and creating calls for service, both emergency and non-emergency, and entering them into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. You will be the vital link between first responders and the public, communicating through radio, telephone, and email to ensure a swift and accurate response to all calls for service. This position is designed as a developmental role within the Emergency Communications Technician career ladder, providing you with the opportunity to gain essential skills and knowledge in emergency communications. To advance to a Certified Emergency Communications Technician, you will need to complete a series of training and certification requirements within 18 months of your hire date. This includes 960 hours of in-house, instructor-led training covering various topics such as Technical Security, Call Taking, and Police and Fire Rescue Radio operations. Additionally, you will need to obtain certification as a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) Operator, complete mandatory training, and successfully work independently for six months. Upon meeting these requirements, you will be eligible for a non-competitive promotion to the ECT II level. In this role, you will determine the nature of service requested and dispatch the appropriate police, fire, or EMS units as needed. You will maintain contact with dispatched units, relay information, and coordinate mutual aid responses with other jurisdictions. Your administrative tasks will include recording calls, preparing logs, and retrieving data from various law enforcement databases. You will also be responsible for providing excellent customer service to all parties you interact with, whether they are internal staff, external partners, or members of the public. This position requires the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, such as speaking, listening, and typing, all while maintaining a calm and professional demeanor in high-pressure situations.

Responsibilities

• Receive and create calls for service, both emergency and non-emergency, and enter them into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD).
• Communicate with first responders via radio, telephone, and email.
• Determine the nature of service requested and dispatch police, fire, or EMS units accordingly.
• Maintain contact with dispatched units and relay information as needed.
• Coordinate mutual aid responses with participating jurisdictions.
• Perform administrative tasks including recording calls, preparing logs, and retrieving data from law enforcement databases.
• Use proper broadcast procedures and calm emotionally distraught callers as necessary.
• Route and transfer calls appropriately.
• Provide excellent customer service to all parties interacted with.
• Perform ECT level maintenance on public safety communication equipment and general office equipment.
• Provide credible testimony in court as required.
• Attend in-service, mandatory, basic, advanced, and specialized training to acquire and maintain skills.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Ability to provide customer service in a business-oriented and professional manner.
• Ability to remain calm and maintain a professional demeanor in a high-paced environment and when handling emergency situations.
• Ability to read and interpret maps or learn to do so to direct dispatched units and answer questions from callers.
• Skill in using computer and modern office suite software, with emphasis on database software and an ability to learn new software systems.
• Ability to speak and write English effectively, using appropriate tone and speech characteristics in emergency situations.
• Skill in problem solving to identify, select, organize, and logically process relevant information to solve problems and make recommendations.
• Ability to pass comprehensive medical examination including drug screening, vision, and psychological examination.
• Ability to successfully complete the 80-hour Commonwealth of Virginia Telecommunications Course and the State of Virginia VCIN/NCIC course.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience as a Public Safety Dispatcher (police/fire/EMS).
• Knowledge of VCIN and NCIC procedures.
• Certification as a NCIC Operator.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret maps.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100 Series Police/Fire training from FEMA.
• Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association (AHA) or equivalent.
• Certification in Automated External Defibrillation (AED) from the American Heart Association (AHA).

Benefits

• Vacation benefits
• Retirement benefits
• Health benefits