The Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialist, Probationary (PSECS) will undergo a training period through the Training Academy within the Harford County Department of Emergency Services. The purpose of this training period is to provide the foundation and the certifications needed to perform these functions.
During the twelve (12) month probationary period, PSECS, Probationary will receive certifications and training to include responsibility for accurate, rapid calling taking and dispatch within the communication center.
This classification must complete the training period as well as achieve sign off as a call taker and dispatcher in order to successfully pass probation. Failure to graduate from the Training Academy and meet identified on the job training performance standards within twelve (12) months will result in termination of employment.
EXAMPLES OF TRAINING RECEIVED:
Incident simulations
Policies and Procedures
Emergency Telecommunicator Course
Emergency Dispatch Software, Systems, and Technology
Legal Concepts
Stress Management
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
Examples of Duties
(The following examples illustrate the work performed in the positions in the class. Positions may require some or all of these examples depending on the organization of work within the department. The list is not inclusive. A position may require related duties not listed, if necessary, to accomplish the work of the department.)
Screen requests for emergency services, in a professional manner, via telephone, text, video, or an automated data feed;
Utilize appropriate technology to communicate with callers;
Knowledge and use of law enforcement, fire, and EMS protocols to prioritize call promptly;
Effectively communicate using active listening, call control, judgement, respect, and empathy with callers while maintaining calm demeanor;
Utilize critical thinking skills by prioritizing multiple events/tasks based on available resources;
Follow established agency policies and procedures, being aware of liability to the agency, and adhering to federal disclosure and privacy laws;
Minimum Qualification Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Provides life-saving instruction to callers in distress and crisis
Conveys respect and empathy using active listening skills
Adheres to County and Departmental policies and procedures
Capacity to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and customers
Ability to receive documents, and respond to two-way radio transmissions in a professional manner
Ability to switch quickly between tasks with minimal disruption
Ability to use logic, critical thinking, and reasoning to reach conclusions and solve problems
Seeks supervisory assistance when appropriate
Ability to use training and operational protocols to relay critical information
Ability to utilize appropriate terminology, codes and signals
Ability to thoroughly and accurately document all incident activities
Knowledge of local and regional geography to quickly and accurately identify the location of the emergency
Ability to operate a sophisticated workstation comprised of multiple computer systems
Possess the ability o operate multiple systems and conversations simultaneously
Must be available to do shift work on weekends and holidays to ensure 24/7 operational coverage
Ability to sit/stand for prolonged periods of time
EDUCATION :
Possession of a high school or vocational school diploma or GED Certificate.
EXPERIENCE:
No experience required however prior public safety experience is preferred.
SAFETY:
Must comply with all Federal (OSHA), State of Maryland (MOSH), safety regulations, and applicable Harford County safety policies, procedures, or manual as required for this position.
LICENSE:
Possession of a valid Class "C" driver's license with no more than three (3) points.
COMPENSATION:
Other compensation may include but is not limited to:
Overtime
Compensatory time
Shift Differentials
BENEFITS :
Harford County offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:
Health, Dental & Vision insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation
Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
Generous Leave Package & Paid Holidays
Tuition Reimbursement
Notes
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Applicant must be at least 18 years of age
Selected candidate must work on rotation shifts which include nights, weekends, and holidays when scheduled
Selected candidate must have the ability to perform assignments or attend functions at various locations when required for job-related duties
Selected candidate must have: a) passed a typing test using a computer keyboard; b) passed an acute hearing and voice clarity test to determine fitness to perform duties of the job; c) passed a telecommunications skills test; d) passed an oral interview, which may include multi-tasking exercises; e) must successfully pass a pre-employment physical; f) must comply with Industry Standard Hearing requirements.
Positions in this class are considered critical for snow events and County-wide emergencies
Employees in this classification may be required to undergo wellness examinations to ensure fitness for duty.
FRINGE BENEFITS
(Effective July 1, 2023)
ANNUAL LEAVE - Begin accruing first day of employment and cannot be taken until successful completion of probationary period, EXCESS of 40 DAYS [320 hours] will be deposited into an 106 Premium Reimbursement Account.
0 months - 3 years 1 day per month (12 days per year)
4 years - 9 years 1 ¼ days per month (15 days per year)
10 years - 15 years 1 ¾ days per month (21 days per year)
Over 15 years 2 days per month (24 days per year)
* Please note that leave is prorated according to your status determined by actual hours worked*
SICK LEAVE - Begin accruing first day of employment (UMLIMITED ACCUMULATION)
1 day is allowed after first month of employment
1 ¼ days per month accumulation
PERSONAL LEAVE - For new employees, personal leave is prorated according to schedule below, for the first year only. Any employee on board as of December 31st of each year automatically receives 8 days as of January 1st the following year. (NOTE: Personal Leave may not be taken until successful completion of probationary period; personal leave will be lost if not taken before December 31st of each year.)
1/1 to 1/31 6 days 4/1 to 4/30 3 days
2/1 to 2/28 5 days 5/1 to 5/31 2 days
3/1 to 3/31 4 days 6/1 to 6/30 1 day
7/1 to 12/31 0 days
FAMILY LEAVE - Up to 12 weeks per year
FUNERAL LEAVE - 3 days + 1 day for extended travel
MILITARY LEAVE - 3 weeks per year with no loss in pay for Reserve or National Guard Training, Active Duty and serving during emergencies.
CIVIL LEAVE - No loss in pay while serving Jury Duty.
RETIREMENT - COUNTY EMPLOYEES: State Pension System 7% employee contribution LAW ENFORCEMENT (TO INCLUDE TEMPORARY DEPUTIES): LEOPS 7% Employee Contribution CORRECTIONS: SOPP 9% Employee Contribution
COUNTYFLEX - Provides the employee with a range of health care and other employee benefit options which gives employee the opportunity to design a benefit plan that best meets the employee's needs. Employee may use available credits to purchase the following:
HEALTH INSURANCE - CareFirst Triple Option and BlueChoice Opt-Out Plus Open Access and Kaiser Permanente (all plans include prescription drug coverage)
DENTAL INSURANCE - CareFirst Dental PPO Plus Plan and CareFirst Dental PPO Plan
VISION INSURANCE - Provided through BlueVision Plus
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - Provided through American Fidelity. Employees may fund health and child care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
PRE-TAX - All deductions for health, dental, vision and flexible spending accounts are subject to deductions from paycheck before federal and state taxes are applied.
LIFE INSURANCE -
Provided through MetLife - $50,000 policy - NO COST TO EMPLOYEE
SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE (TERM/WHOLE/UNIVERSAL AND AD&D)
Provided through MetLife.
LONG TERM DISABILITY - Provided through MetLife.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION -
Lincoln Financial Group - Retirement Consultant David Weiland
Phone 410-236-2494 Email- Dave.Weiland@LFG.com
[Customer Service Representative 1-800-234-3500]
RETIREE HEALTH CARE INSURANCE BENEFITS-
Employees hired on or after 7/1/2010 will have an automatic Retirement Health Savings account made available as the primary retiree healthcare benefit. This 105(h) Universal Reimbursement Account will only be able to be accessed upon separation of service and/or retirement whichever applicable. These accounts are employer funded, tax free, & portable with 20 different Nationwide investment options.
These funds are solely for the use of offsetting your premium health care cost, prescriptions, co-pays and deductibles. Upon death funds are made available immediately to the surviving spouse or qualified dependents (as defined by the IRC 152 (a).
DEATH BENEFITS - PAID BY COUNTY
50% of accumulated sick leave
All accumulated annual leave
Personal leave (maximum of 2 days)
$50,000 life insurance
One (1) month's salary
PAID BY RETIREMENT
One year's pay (after 1 year's service) plus employee's contributions refunded with interest.
