Description

Buncombe County’s Public Safety Communications Center is the central answering point for public safety agencies throughout our County. We are seeking a Communications Training Officer (CTO) who is passionate about developing others and committed to excellence in public safety communications. Our center serves as the critical link between the public and emergency responders, operating with professionalism, compassion, and precision.

As a Communications Training Officer, you will play a key role in preparing new and existing telecommunicators for success by providing structured one-on-one instruction, coaching, mentoring, and occasional group training. In addition to training responsibilities, you will monitor employee progress, provide constructive feedback, assist with performance evaluations, maintain training documentation, and serve as a subject matter expert while promoting adherence to departmental policies, procedures, and best practices. While not actively training, you will be dispatching field units in their day-to-day operations and/or taking emergency and non-emergency calls within the communications center.

This position is ideal for an experienced telecommunicator who excels in a fast-paced environment, enjoys mentoring others, and is dedicated to fostering continuous learning and professional growth. By helping develop the next generation of public safety professionals, Communications Training Officers play an essential role in maintaining the high level of service our citizens, visitors, and first responders depend upon every day. If you are ready to lead by example and make a lasting impact on our organization, we encourage you to apply.

Buncombe County Government offers a robust benefits package:

8% County contribution to employee 401(k) - you don't have to contribute anything from your paycheck
Free physical therapy
Employee and Family Health clinic with $5 co-pay
$0 Tier-1 generic prescriptions
10+ vacation days per year
12 sick days & 13 paid holidays
Flexible Spending Account

Purpose of the position: 

The purpose of this position is to receive and transmit routine and emergency calls for the County Public Safety Communications Department and provide operational support to unit staff in the absence of the Telecommunicator Supervisor.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Assist the Telecommunicator Supervisor in overseeing daily operations during their absence.
• Assign trainees the appropriate training staff, attend training meetings and oversee new employee training.
• Coordinate with pre-trial services to monitor and track pre-trial release participants and violators.
• Receive emergency and non-emergency calls from the public through the emergency telephone system, obtaining pertinent information from callers to determine the nature and location of the emergency.
• Prioritize and dispatch calls for service for both emergency service disciplines (EMS/Fire and Law)
• Maintain accurate and timely records.
• Perform other related duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of rules, regulations, and procedures, including safety procedures, such as CPR and first aid.
• Knowledge of telecommunications systems, which may include transmission, broadcasting, and switching systems, and
• computerized databases, including teletype operations and procedures.
• Knowledge of basic dispatch codes, as well as standard abbreviations and industry terminology commonly used by emergency medical services and law enforcement agencies.
  Knowledge of the geographical layout of the County as to location of streets, important buildings, and other landmarks.
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to reach conclusions and approaches to problems.
• Ability to use judgment and decision-making skills to evaluate situations, establish priorities, and resolve matters.
• Ability to work in stressful situations.
• Ability to actively listen and communicate effectively through clear speech and hearing.
• Ability to establish priorities and pass on information as needed.
• Ability to elicit information necessary for proper dispatching from people who may be distressed.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations.
• Ability to speak clearly, distinctly, and professionally.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public.
• Ability to maintain files, records, and reports.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.

Requirements

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): High school diploma or GED and a minimum of one (1) year of experience as a telecommunicator with Buncombe County or two (2) years of other 911 Telecommunicator experience that includes dispatching for both Law Enforcement and EMS/Fire.

Additional Training and Experience: APCO Communications Training Officer (CTO) Certification, equivalent, or experience training new hires in a 911 environment preferred. 

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: APCO Telecommunicator Certification, or equivalent.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary work requiring exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: feeling, grasping, handling, hearing, mental acuity, reaching, speaking, standing, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

During a State of Emergency, and at the discretion of the County Manager, county employees may be called in for service.  This includes both essential and non-essential personnel.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by an employee assigned to this work.  This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities, and the County reserves the right to amend or change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. This job description does not create a contract of employment.