Communications Operator III

Salary: $64,613.00 - $73,765.00 Annually

Location : Sarasota, FL 34232

Job Type: CIVILIAN

Job Number: 2025-00170

Division/Bureau: Emergency Operations Bureau

Section (Cost Center): EOB-PUBLIC SAFETY COMM SECTION

Opening Date: 10/01/2025

Closing Date: 1/1/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

All applicants are required to upload the following documents with their application submission: Drivers License with current address, signed Social Security card, birth certificate issued by state or local government authority, High School diploma/GED, College transcript, DD214 Member-4, Name change documents, FDLE certification documents (certified positions), official arrest/charge documents. If a document does not apply to you, please upload an attachment with N/A, if a document is unavailable at the time of application, please list status of documentation (ordered, requested, in search of, etc.) If ALL requested documentation is not uploaded, your application will not be processed.

SCSO is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Description

Shift Work - The Emergency Operations Bureau (EOB) operates 24 hours per day/7 days per week. Shifts assignments include weekends, holidays, on call, hurricanes, evacuations, or other state of emergencies. Shifts are not rotating; you must be flexible and able to work 12-hour shifts including day shift (0700-1900) or night shift (1900-0700). There is no guarantee of shift assignment, it is based on the need once you graduate from the academy. You will be able to bid for a desired shift assignment every 6 months, based on seniority.

Answer emergency and non-emergency telephones. Operators must listen accurately and record the information provided by citizens, police, fire, and medical personnel and be able to accurately relay this information to the appropriate person often called upon to make decisions quickly, accurately, and effectively. When a call is taken, the first concern is that of the caller. Each situation must be analyzed and evaluated individually, always keeping in mind the importance of the information imparted and treating each caller impartially and fairly. Call takers must be self-motivated and work well as a part of a team. To be successful you must be able to perform multiple tasks, at times under stressful conditions.

Tasks: Complete assignment as directed; maintain work areas; knowledge of general orders; process wrecker requests and maintain wrecker files; utilize resources; track and monitor appropriate personnel; route calls to proper agency; respond and request assistance from other agencies; prioritize calls; operate telephone consoles/CML; operate NCIC/FCIC computer; operate the PSC computer/CAD; notify agencies/floor supervisor of robberies and priority events; dispatch appropriate personnel for service; and inform supervisors of events and activities in progress.

General Description of Duties

1. Desire to be helpful. This includes not only people who are a pleasure to help, but also individuals who may be unreasonable, demanding, rude, unpleasant, and uncooperative.

2. Ability to think clearly and act promptly in emergencies and under pressure. EOB personnel shall maintain a professional demeanor.

3. Ability to speak clearly and distinctly. Along with this, the ability to reduce rambling and formulate disconnected information into concise and accurate messages.

4. An inquiring mind, a desire to learn, and a desire to do a good job.

5. Thorough knowledge of the geography of the jurisdictions covered by the public safety agencies the EOB serves.

6. Customer service, including the initiative to do more than just what is required when a usual procedure does not provide a solution to a problem.

7. Recognition of the importance of the job. The communications operator is the only link between the responder and help and is often the only link between the citizen and help. The communications operator is the department's representative most often contacted by the public.

8. Courtesy: All sections of the emergency operations bureau are essentially business offices and must be operated in a businesslike manner. Like any other business that deals with the public, all employees are expected to be courteous.

9. Predisposition towards public safety work: A communications operator must learn to think like a field unit and anticipate the type of information they will require for effective handling of their duties.

Minimum Requirements

As a condition of continued employment, the 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator Training Program must be completed, and the Florida Certification exam must be passed within 11 months of appointment to the position. Training: Communications Operator III (Call Taker) training will begin with a 6-week classroom style academy to include 1 week of EMD/EFD certification training and 16 weeks of field training. Operators will work 8-hour shifts during the agency paid training academy, and upon completion move to 12-hr shifts. Certifications: During the first year of employment Operators will receive certifications in the following:

9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator Florida Certification

Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification (EMD)

Emergency Fire Dispatch Certification (EFD)

CPR Certification

Note: 8-hour shifts/40-hr work week during the 6-week paid training academy. Salary is $28.24 per hour/$58,739.20 annually based on 8-hr shifts.

Additional Information

2184

Long Term Cap $89,781

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office requires all employees to have either an associates degree, 60 equivalent hours from an accredited college or university or the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test. The Wonderlic Basic Skills Test measures verbal and quantitative skills. Sworn *Law Enforcement and Corrections Deputies must achieve a minimum passing score of Verbal - 267 and Quantitative - 241. Civilians must achieve a minimum passing score of Verbal - 248 and Quantitative - 241.

*Law Enforcement Deputies/Recruits must meet additional requirements to qualify.

Local institution to administer the Wonderlic: Suncoast Technical College ext. 62322. Fee $40 Hours of Operations: Monday through Thursday 7:30am to 3:00pm Friday 7:30am to 2:00pm. TESTING IS SCHEDULED BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

If you are out of town, please contact your local technical institute. A complete report of passing scores must be submitted directly to the SCSO.

In compliance with the American Disabilities Act should you require any reasonable accomodation(s) to participate in the exam process, please advise the administering office and supply documentation so they may attempt to satisfy any special needs expeditiously.

If chosen for processing you will be required to submit to the following screening procedures: a comprehensive background investigation, a polygraph examination, medical examinations, drug and tobacco screening, psychological examination (certified and communications positions). By submitting this application you are agreeing to have a background investigator with the SCSO review any social networking websites that you might belong to. If you are not willing to submit to the above mentioned procedures, please do not submit an application.

Applicants who are found to be untruthful or omitted information on the application or during the background investigation process will be automatically disqualified and will not be eligible for future employment with the agency.

Applicants who are disqualified during the application process for not meeting the standards of the agency at the time of application submittal, or during the background investigation process will be eligible to reapply in one (1) year.

The SCSO now offers free, onsite, confidential mental health counseling services to all employees in addition to traditional EAP services.

01

Do you have any tattoos on your head, scalp, face, neck, or hands?

Yes

No

02

How many words per minute can you accurately type?

Less than 20 words per minute

20-29 words per minute

30-39 words per minute

40-50 words per minute

More than 50 words per minute

03

Have you used/tried/tasted/experimented with/possessed marijuana or its derivatives within 12 months prior to this application?

Yes

No

04

All information and documents you provide in this application must support your selected answers and will be verified, and additional documentation may be required. By completing this application and supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting what has been provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.Have you read all the questions and answered them truthfully?

YES- All answers and documentation are TRUE and ACCURATE.

No- Not eligible for employment.

Required Question