Telecommunicator I - Experienced

Salary: $31.77 - $35.08 Hourly

Location : Onsite in Urbana, IL

Job Type: Full Time

Department: METCAD, Champaign County 9-1-1

Opening Date: 09/15/2025

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: AFSCME

Description

METCAD 9-1-1 of Champaign County, Illinois, is continuously hiring for Experienced Telecommunicator I in a multi-discipline, multi-jurisdictional communications center. Watch to see how you can make a difference today.

Qualified candidates may qualify for a $6,000.00 hiring bonus through the Experienced Telecommunicator I Lateral Hiring Program. Visit for details. Experienced Telecommunicator I Hiring Program Requirements are:

• 2+ years experience (full-time, continuous basis in multi-jurisdictional center, within last 5 years).

• Completed training program in most recent center.

• Completed probationary period in most recent center.

Responsibilities of Position

This position performs emergency and non-emergency telephone and two-way radio communication work for police, fire, and ambulance services and related work as required.

Candidates are required to complete the following steps to be considered for the position:

1. Apply through this posting.

2. METCAD Hiring Manager will contact you directly to confirm eligibility and hiring process steps below (testing fees waived for experience applicants):

a. NTN Testing-E-Comm (passing scores of: Call Taker/53, Notes/64, Dispatch/43)

b. NTN Typing Test (35 words per minute with at least 90% accuracy). NOTE: Pass/fail determinations are made based on the Adjusted Words Per Minute score.

c. NTN Computer Simulations

d. Attestation signed

Candidates successfully passing the steps above, will then be invited to move through the remainder of the hiring process which may include:

1. In-person interviews.

2. Reference and background checks.

3. Contingent offer of employment.

4. Job preview sit along with a current Telecommunicator.

5. Drug screening, hearing test, psychological evaluation, and a fingerprint-based criminal history check.

6. Confirmed offer of employment.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years or older by date of hire.

• U.S. Citizen, or legally authorized to work in the United States (must meet I-9 requirements at time of hire).

• High School diploma, or equivalent by date of hire.

• Ability to work shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

• Ability to solve problems and provide excellent customer service in stressful situations.

• Ability to acquire mandated certifications (i.e. Law Enforcement Agency Data Systems, Emergency Medical Dispatch, National Incident Management Systems) during the training phase.

• Experience with dispatching, customer service, and computer use are preferred.

Starting salary range is $31.77 to $35.08 per hour, DOQ. Employees may qualify for salary increases based on performance and/or longevity.

Other Information

The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environment and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Contact the Human Resources Department at Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process.

The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.

Our mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community.

These values guide our work:

Personal Integrity

We act in the best interests of the City

We behave in an ethical and legal manner

We are open and honest

We follow through on commitments

We are loyal to the City

Responsibility

We anticipate issues, problems, and opportunities

We take initiative

We act to prevent and solve problems

We take responsibility for the outcome of our actions and decisions

We hold ourselves and others accountable

Respect

We treat others in a fair, courteous, and equitable manner

We actively listen and seek understanding

We provide a direct response

We embrace ethnic and cultural diversity in the community and our workplace

We are positive and cooperative

We are willing to apologize

Teamwork

We know and respect our roles and responsibilities

We ask who needs to be involved and we involve others appropriately

We define and agree upon the goals

We collaborate to achieve organizational goals

We help others accomplish their goals

We share authority, responsibility, and credit

Results

We take pride in our work

We complete assignments and projects on time and within budget

We evaluate outcomes and seek feedback on our performance

We learn from our mistakes

We innovate

This position is covered under the City of Champaign American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Bargaining Unit labor agreement.

HEALTH INSURANCE

The City of Champaign offers a robust PPO Select Network plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.

The City of Champaign pays up to $606.10 of the employee (single) health insurance premium and 50 percent of the dependent premium for continuous full-time employees. Premiums for single employee coverage above $606.10 per month are shared by the employee and the City. For the 2025/2026 plan year, AFSCME employees contribute 1.3194 percent of their salary for the plan. Premiums may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Health insurance coverage begins on the date of hire and ends on the employee's last day of work at the City.

Rates are available under the Fringe Benefit Summaries section on the City's website at

DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE

Employees may purchase dental and/or vision insurance through payroll deduction. Employees pay 100 percent of the monthly premium for this coverage. Premiums for dental and vision insurance may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Dental and vision insurance begins after waiting for one complete calendar month (e.g., if hire date is in the month of January, coverage begins on March 1st).

The dental plan has two options: Delta Dental Network Low Plan (PPO) and Delta Dental High Plan.

Vision insurance is provided by EyeMed.

Rates are available under the Fringe Benefit Summaries section on the City's website at

LIFE INSURANCE

The City provides a $20,000 term life insurance policy for continuous full-time AFSCME employees and an $8,000 term life insurance policy for continuous part-time AFSCME employees through The Hartford. Premiums are paid by the City. Employees may elect to purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for themselves up to 5x their annual salary or $500,000 (whichever is lower), through payroll deduction. Employees may also purchase term life for their spouses/dependents.

• Employee voluntary supplemental life insurance coverage can be purchased in $10,000 increments and the price is calculated based on the employee's age.

• Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their spouses up to half the amount purchased for themselves in $5,000 increments. Cost is calculated based on the employee's age.

• Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their dependent children in the amount of $10,000 for any/all eligible children.

• Employees may purchase Basic Life Insurance for their spouse and eligible dependent children.

o Option #1: $3.60/month for $10,000 for spouse and $5,000 for any/all eligible children.

o Option #2: $1.80/month for $5,000 for spouse and $2,000 for any/all eligible children.

SICK LEAVE

Continuous full-time employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 3.69 hours per pay period (approximately 1 day per month), subject to labor contract provisions. The sick leave accrual rate is pro-rated for continuous part-time employees.

VACATION

Vacation accrual rates are based on years of service and pro-rated for part-time employees. Employees are eligible to take vacation after six months of employment. Requests for leave to be taken during the initial six months of employment must be approved by the employee's supervisor and may be permitted through a combination of personal leave, unpaid leave, flex time, and/or compensatory time.

PERSONAL LEAVE

At the beginning of each fiscal year, continuous full-time employees are credited with three personal days (24 hours); personal days are pro-rated for continuous part-time employees. Personal leave may not be accumulated and carried over into the next fiscal year (July 1st). Personal leave during the first year of employment varies based on the date of employment.

HOLIDAYS

New Year's Day

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

Memorial Day

Juneteenth

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

Employees may be required to work on holiday(s). Those employees receive additional compensation or time off.

PENSION

Illinois state law requires that eligible municipal employees be covered by the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Employee contributions to IMRF are 4.5 percent of salary and are tax-deferred. For 2024, the City contributes 6.46 percent of eligible employee's salaries to IMRF. In addition, IMRF members are covered by Social Security (FICA). Obtain additional information by contacting IMRF at 1-800-ASK-IMRF. Employees are eligible to contribute additional funds to IMRF through Voluntary Additional Contributions.

RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (RHS)

A retirement health savings plan administered by the Mission Square Retirement Corporation has been established for AFSCME employees. AFSCME employees participate in the plan at separation or retirement of employment by contributing a portion of sick, vacation, and comp time leave balances. Threshold leave balance amounts are applicable. This account is available for use by the employee at retirement or separation of service. Eligible uses of the funds include medical expenses such as health insurance premiums, dental/vision expenses, coinsurance, and co-pays for employees, spouse, and/or dependents.

LONGEVITY PAY

Employees receive longevity pay based upon their years of continuous employment with the City. Longevity pay is an addition to the employees' base wage rate.

CREDIT UNION

Employees may join the Credit Union I. Payroll deduction for savings and credit union loan payments are available as well as a deduction for a savings bond program and Christmas Club. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Credit Union directly at .

DEFFERED COMPENSATION PLAN

The City of Champaign offers employees the opportunity to participate in a tax-deferred annuity plan of the Mission Square Retirement Corporation through payroll deduction. This is an optional plan with no City contributions. More information may be obtained by contacting Client Services ().

RESIDENCY INCENTIVE REIMBURSEMENT

The City offers a Residency Incentive Reimbursement of $2,500 to AFSCME employees who establish residency or relocate within the City of Champaign (or Champaign County for METCAD employees). Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Department.

UNION DUES

The AFSCME union establishes the regularly monthly dues which are collected by the City through payroll deduction on behalf of the union.

CONTRACT

View the current American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Bargaining Unit contract at

01

During the last five years, have you worked in a multi-jurisdictional call center for a minimum of two continuous years at full-time status?

Yes

No

02

If you answered "Yes" to question #1 above, please provide the agency name(s) and location(s).

03

Have you completed the training program in your current or most recent center?

Yes

No

04

Have you completed the probationary period in your current or most recent center?

Yes

No

Required Question