Montco looking to hire 9-1-1 dispatchers
NORRISTOWN » Have you ever thought you might want to work as a 9-1-1 telecommunicator — fielding emergency calls from the public and dispatching assistance? Do you have a sense of compassion for those in need, a positive attitude and excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills?
If so, Montgomery County may have an opportunity for you.
The county’s Department of Public Safety and Department of Human Resources will be hosting a walk-up hiring open house for the 9-1-1 telecommunicator role on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. The event will be held at the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety Emergency Operations Center, 50 Eagleville Road in Lower Providence.
The county is looking to hire for the department, although a specific number of openings was not provided.
According to Todd Stieritz, public affairs coordinator for the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety, there is a need for 9-1-1 professionals nationwide, “and the Department of Public Safety is not immune from this trend.” He added that the county will hire as many qualified candidates as possible.
9-1-1 telecommunicators are trained to receive calls from the public and to accurately assign requests for police, fire, emergency medical units, and other public safety resources. They are also trained to facilitate communication coordination with public safety agencies and their resources, according to the job description.
Qualifications for the position include a high school diploma or equivalency, no record of criminal convictions, excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills with the ability to complete those skills in high stress situations. Candidates should also have adequate computer and typing knowledge, and must be able to work various shifts including night shift, rotating schedules, weekends and holidays.
Stieritz said that in addition to good communication skills, a positive attitude and compassion for those in need, some other general characteristics and abilities of candidates include: Honesty, integrity and ethical conduct both inside and outside the work environment; being adaptable and flexible to changes in the work environment; committed to excellence in customer service; reacts quickly and effectively in all situations; thinks logically and has excellent problem solving skills; able to multi-task and prioritize; and enjoys a team atmosphere and working closely with others.
When an individual arrives at the Emergency Operations Center on Sept. 18, they will meet with representatives from the County’s Human Resources Department and fill out an employment application, if they haven’t already done so online, according to Stieritz. They will then take the county’s computerbased CritiCall test, which assesses typing skills, critical thinking, and ability to multi-task.
Those who are successful on the test may be invited to participate in an interview with the selection panel, and to participate in a “sit-along” in the Emergency Communications Center — where they can listen to emergency calls and dispatches with an experienced telecommunicator.
It is not necessary to register for the hiring open house event. Free parking is available at the facility. All visitors must checkin with security at the main gate.
Applicants should bring a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license with them to the event.
For those that can’t attend the event, applications are available online or in person at the Montgomery County Department of Human Resources, One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede Street, 7th Floor, Norristown. All applications must be submitted online or returned in person to the Human Resources Office.
Interested applicants can email questions to publicsafety@montcopa.org or call 610-631-6500 during business hours. For a listing of all career opportunities with Montgomery County, please visit www.montcopa.org/jobs.