Communications Officer - Emergency Dispatcher

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER – 911 EMERGENCY DISPATCHER

Becoming a Communications Officer is a rewarding and challenging career. Communications Officers must be able to multi‑task, react quickly, efficiently and calmly in emergency and routine situations. They answer, prioritize and dispatch emergency and routine calls for law enforcement, fire, and medical services. They operate a two‑way radio, utilize a computer‑aided dispatch system, and perform many other duties. They must work twelve‑hour shifts, including nights, holidays, weekends, and during civil unrest and natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, etc.

• Answer, prioritize, and dispatch emergency and routine calls for law enforcement, fire, and medical services.
• Operate a two‑way radio and computer‑aided dispatch system.
• Work twelve‑hour shifts, including nights, holidays, weekends, and during civil unrest and natural disasters.

• At least 18 years of age.
• Valid Florida Driver's License.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must not meet any of the disqualifiers indicated on the employment application.
• Must become State Certified within 12 months of hire and maintain certification.
• Must take and pass a Basic FCIC class (offered during training) and maintain certification.
• All applicants will be required to take and pass a computerized skills test (minimum score 70% and 2,860 KPH).

• Annual Salary for beginning Communications Officers: $41,381.68 base (non‑negotiable).
• Vacation and sick leave for full‑time employees.
• Florida State Retirement.
• Health, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance for full‑time employees.
• Direct deposit.
• College tuition assistance may be available.

Positions are on a rotating 12‑hour shift schedule. There are no permanent shifts; all communications officers rotate between day and evening shifts every three months after placement. Positions require work on weekends, holidays, and nights, as well as during civil unrest and natural disasters.

All applications are reviewed by the Office of Professional Standards. Applicants will be notified by email if disqualified; all other applicants will be called to take a computerized skills test to determine eligibility. Applicants must check their email frequently for notifications and requests for information. Upon meeting the test criteria, applicants will be notified by phone when tests are conducted and when interviews are scheduled.

Make sure your application is complete. Applications missing required information may not be considered. Any applicant who intentionally omits information or is not truthful will be disqualified. All selected applicants will undergo a thorough background investigation and CVSA for truth verification. Accurate disclosure, especially regarding drug use, is essential.

Do not attach a resume unless you are invited for an interview. Do not put N/A in spaces that require information. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is a drug‑free workplace, an equal‑opportunity and veterans preference employer, and participates in the E‑Verify employment verification system. This employer does not discriminate based on disability in employment admission, access, treatment, or participation.