CERTIFIED - Communications Officer Call Taker; Temporary No

The City of Roanoke is seeking a VA STATE CERTIFIED and experienced 911 Communications Officer to work as a part‑time call taker. The preferred candidate must be certified as a Basic Dispatcher, VCIN (Virginia Criminal Information Network) Operator and possess a high school diploma or GED. The preferred candidate must also possess a valid driver’s license; have reliable transportation and no criminal record.

The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.

To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry. Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community.

Receives incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for fire, rescue and other emergency and non-emergency personnel and services in an accurate, timely and professional manner and performs related work as required.

• Answers the administrative telephone; provides information and assistance as requested and/or forwards calls to appropriate personnel; takes message as necessary.
• Performs computer‑aided dispatching work, including receiving emergency and non‑emergency calls for law enforcement, fire, EMS and Haz Mat response.
• Handles calls in a professional and timely manner and in compliance with all pertinent local, state and federal regulations.
• Initiates calls to persons at the request of officers; calls wreckers as directed.
• Provides routine assistance and information to callers, such as taking messages, providing directions, routing calls, etc.
• Monitors weather radio and alerts appropriate personnel of potential inclement conditions.
• Gives medical advice via telephone when needed and adheres to adopted standards.
• Receives and disseminates information through the use of a data terminal linked to the Virginia Criminal Network, which links to other state and federal criminal information.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

• Basic Dispatch Certification through Virginia DCJS (Department of Criminal Justice Services), VCIN (Virginia Criminal Information Network) Operator, NCIC (National Crime Information Center) and EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch).
• Must possess a high school diploma or general education degree (GED) and possess a valid driver’s license.

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) supplemented by continuing education with some computer classes.

Paid leave is time off from work available for use by an employee upon approval by supervisor. The first 24 consecutive leave hours for any illness must be charged to paid leave with additional time charged to extended illness leave. Paid leave for employees of the city shall accrue as follows:

Years of Service – Hours Per Month (Fire 24‑hr shift Employees)
0‑4 – 12 / 19.75
5‑9 – 14 / 22.75
10‑14 – 16 / 25.50
15‑19 – 17 / 26.75
20‑24 – 18 / 28.75
25+ – 20 / 32

Extended Illness Leave: accrues at 6 hours per month; fire suppression employees accrue 9 hours per month.

Funeral Leave: for family, up to three consecutive days.

Military Leave:
Twenty‑one work days per federal fiscal year.

Holidays:
The City provides 96 hours of annual paid holiday time.

Mental Health & Well‑Being Leave:
Employees receive 24 hours (fire suppression receives 34 hours) of leave upon hire; certification of mental health diagnosis is not required and leave will not be paid out upon separation.

Shared Leave Bank (effective 1/1/2023):
Voluntary membership for full‑time employees who will be out for an extended period and have exhausted all other forms of leave. Members must provide 8 hours of their extended illness per fiscal year and at least 8 hours per assessment. Assessments limited to 4…