Telecommunications Specialist I (Dispatcher)

Job Description

About Our Opportunity

Be the calm voice when seconds matter.

Are you looking for a career where your work truly matters?

York County Public Safety is seeking dependable, compassionate, and motivated individuals to join our 9-1-1 Communications team as full-time Telecommunications Specialists.

As a 9-1-1 Telecommunications Specialist, you will be the critical link between people who need help and the first responders who provide it. You may guide someone through a medical emergency, help calm a frightened caller, dispatch emergency responders to a critical incident, or provide information that helps keep law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel safe.

Every shift is different. Every call matters. And the work you do can make a difference in someone’s life.

No 9-1-1 experience? We will train you. You do not need previous 9-1-1 dispatch experience to begin a career in emergency communications. York County provides comprehensive, paid training and the professional certifications you will need to succeed. We are looking for people with strong communication and customer service skills, good judgment, the ability to multitask, and a desire to serve their community.

If you can remain calm under pressure, communicate clearly, learn new technology, and work well as part of a team, we encourage you to apply.

Projected Salary Range/Grade 111: $20.60 per hour; pay may be higher based on qualifications and experience

Schedule: 12-hour shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Full-time, 40 hours per week, non-exempt

We are hiring for multiple positions. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position will remain open until filled. Candidates selected to move forward in the hiring process will be contacted directly by York County Public Safety.

What you’ll do as a member of our 9-1-1 Communications team, you will:

• Answer emergency 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls for law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and other public safety agencies.
  
• Quickly gather, evaluate, and prioritize information to determine the appropriate response.
  
• Provide lifesaving pre-arrival medical and safety instructions until emergency responders arrive.
  
• Help calm and guide callers through stressful, frightening, and sometimes life-threatening situations.
  
• Dispatch law enforcement, fire, EMS, and other emergency resources.
  
• Maintain radio and data communications with first responders and provide them with accurate, timely information.
  
• Monitor the location and activity of emergency personnel to help maintain responder safety.
  
• Use advanced public safety technology, including Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), NCIC, radio systems, and other communications equipment.
  
• Monitor emergency radio activations and respond according to established policies and procedures.
  
• Assist with cellular phone location and tracing procedures during qualifying life-threatening emergencies.
  
• Monitor severe weather and emergency warning systems and assist with public notification procedures when necessary.
  
• Maintain accurate records and ensure communications comply with established policies, procedures, protocols, standards, and applicable local, state, and federal laws.
  
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
  

Who We’re Looking For

Great 9-1-1 telecommunicators come from many different backgrounds. Previous public safety experience can be helpful, but it isn’t the only experience that prepares someone for this career.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Communicate clearly and professionally.
  
• Have strong listening and customer service skills.
  
• Can remain calm and focused when someone else is upset or experiencing an emergency.
  
• Can make decisions and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
  
• Are comfortable listening, typing, talking, and processing information at the same time.
  
• Are dependable and understand the importance of working as part of a 24/7 public safety team.
  
• Are willing to work 12-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
  
• Are comfortable learning new computer systems and technology.
  
• Work well with others and value teamwork.
  
• Want a career where you can serve and make a difference in your community.
  

Experience in customer service, call centers, healthcare, hospitality, public safety, dispatching, the military, or other fast-paced environments may provide valuable transferable skills.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
  
• Previous telecommunications, customer service, public safety, or other relevant experience is preferred but not required.
  
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
  
• A valid state driver’s license is preferred.
  

Previous 9-1-1 experience is not required.

We’ll Provide the Training

You don’t have to arrive knowing how to dispatch an ambulance, operate a public safety radio, provide emergency medical instructions, or use a Computer Aided Dispatch system. That’s what training is for.

York County provides on-the-job training to prepare you for a career in emergency communications. Telecommunications Specialists are paid their regular salary while completing required training.

Training and certifications include:

• APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator 1
  
• APCO Fire Service Communications
  
• APCO Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
  
• South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy E9-1-1 Certification
  
• CPR Certification
  
• NCIC Certification
  
• FEMA NIMS ICS 100
  
• FEMA NIMS ICS 200
  
• FEMA NIMS ICS 700
  
• FEMA IS-5.A Introduction to Hazardous Materials
  
• Annual Radiological Training
  

What to Expect During the Hiring Process

Because 9-1-1 Telecommunications Specialists work in a position of public trust and have access to sensitive public safety information, selected candidates must successfully complete York County’s required pre-employment process.

The selection process includes:

• Background investigation
  
• Drug screening
  
• Polygraph examination
  
• Psychological evaluation
  

Successful completion of all required steps is mandatory.

Applicants must be able to successfully pass a background investigation and must not have been convicted of a charge carrying a sentence of one year or more.

Physical Demands

This position primarily involves sedentary work with sustained keyboard and computer operations. Employees may walk or stand during portions of their shift and may occasionally exert up to 10 pounds of force.

Ready to Make a Difference?

When someone calls 9-1-1, you may be the first person they turn to for help.

You don’t need to arrive knowing how to do the job—we will teach you. What we need are people who are dependable, willing to learn, able to communicate, and ready to be there when their community needs them most.

If you’re looking for a meaningful career and think you have what it takes to be the calm voice on the other end of the line, we encourage you to apply.

Questions about a career with York County Public Safety? Call 803-329-0911 or Email 911@yorkcountygov.com

About York County Government

York County is located in the Piedmont region, between the Broad River and the Catawba River. Its diverse landscape is home to family-friendly towns/cities, a progressive urban region and lakefront communities. We are excited that you want to join our team and recognize that our employees are the foundation for our success.

Mission Statement- York County provides quality public services in an open, efficient, and responsive manner.

Vision Statement - York County provides an environment where all citizens and businesses can thrive and succeed.

Core Values - Excellence through Professionalism

• Respect - respect builds bridges, not silos. How we live it? Golden rule - treat others as you want to be treated.
• Dedicated- strong work ethic. How we live it? Persistence, reliability and commitment to do your best.
• Integrity- do the right thing instead of what is convenient. How we live it? Displaying strong moral principles.
• Knowledgeable- ready and able. How we live it? Having the right competencies necessary for achievement.
• Friendly- service with a smile. How we live it? Being respectful, pleasant and helpful to ALL.

Benefits & Total Compensation

Your compensation with York County includes more than your hourly pay. Eligible employees have access to a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive market-rate pay based on qualifications
  
• South Carolina State Retirement Plan pension
  
• Comprehensive state medical insurance
  
• Dental and vision insurance
  
• Life insurance
  
• Long-term disability
  
• Deferred Compensation / 401(k) plans
  
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
  
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
  
• 11 paid holidays plus 3 optional holidays
  
• Paid vacation and sick time
  
• Expanded sick bank
  
• Parental leave
  
• Bereavement leave
  
• Longevity pay
  
• Critical care and cancer insurance
  
• Wellness screenings
  
• Employee Assistance Program
  
• Professional development, training, and conferences
  
• Paid uniforms
  

Full-time employees are allowed to participate in group medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs offered by York County Government. If employees elect to secure dependent coverage, the employee should pay the additional costs for such coverage. All statements of insurance coverage are subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and other eligibility requirements that are set forth in various insurance plan documents.

Our full-time benefits through PEBA (South Carolina Retirement Systems and State Health Plan) include health insurance, prescription benefits, dental, vision, life insurance, MoneyPlus, Health Savings Accounts, retirement (Membership in the South Carolina Retirement System is mandatory for county employees), and deferred compensation. Making decisions about your insurance and retirement benefits can sometimes be complicated and difficult. The Navigating Your Benefits series provides common-language explanations and can help you find your way in the world of your insurance and retirement benefits: Navigating Your Benefits | S.C. PEBA (sc.gov)

Other full-time benefits include longevity allowance, annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay, Sick Leave Bank, wellness benefits, Employee Assistance Program, etc. Please contact Human Resources at Human.Resources@yorkcountygov.com if you would like more information.

Longevity Allowance
Full-time regular county employees, elected officials, appointed officials, and judges with ten or more years of full time continuous governmental service are eligible to receive a monthly longevity allowance in addition to their regular compensation. Continuous service transferred from employment with another county, municipality, state or a political entity created by the State may contribute toward eligibility for the longevity allowance. Longevity allowances are paid according to the following schedule.

Longevity Allowance
Years of Continuous Service Monthly Longevity Amount
10-14 Years $20.00
15-19 Years $25.00
20-24 Years $30.00
25-29 Years $35.00
30-34 Years $40.00
35-39 Years $45.00
40+ Years $50.00

Parental Leave
Employees that have been employed at least 12 months with the county may be eligible for up to 30 days of parental leave immediately following the birth, adoption or placement of a legal dependent child.

Bereavement Leave

Three (3) days of bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member, which includes a spouse, parent, grandparent or child.

Annual Leave
Probationary and regular full-time county employees that work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave with pay. Employees in their new hire six (6) month probationary period shall not be able to use annual leave until they become regular county employees. Employees who are separating from county service shall be paid for all accrued, unused annual leave up to 360 hours provided they give York County as the employer the proper notice as required. Employees in their six (6) month New Hire probationary period who are terminated or separated from employment shall not be paid for accrued annual leave. The maximum amount of annual leave carried into each calendar year is 360 hours.

Earning Rate for Full-Time Employees
Full-time employees with less than ten years of continuous service earn at the rate of eight hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve month period. Full-time employees with at least ten years, but less than twenty years of continuous service will earn at the rate of ten (10) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve-month period. Full-time employees with twenty or more years of service will earn at the rate of twelve (12) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve (12) months period.

Sick Leave
Full-time county employees may be entitled to earn sick leave with pay. Employees may accrue up to 1,440 hours of sick leave. Upon termination of employment with the County, employees may not be reimbursed for any unused sick leave. When a paid holiday occurs while an employee is on sick leave with pay, the day may not be charged as sick leave.

Earning Rate of Sick Leave
Full time employees will earn eight hours of sick leave per month of service during a twelve month period.

Paid Holiday’s
The following days may be observed as paid holidays for York County Employees:
January - December: 3 Optional Holidays per Calendar Year
January: New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Day
May: Memorial Day
June: Juneteenth Day
July: Independence Day
September: Labor Day
November: Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Friday after Thanksgiving
December: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day

Training:
Quality training and educational programs are available at various times for county employees in order to support workforce development that is consistent with organizational objectives. Training topics may include driver training, CPR/first aid, communication, supervisor training, workplace violence, substance abuse, and various computer related classes.

Closing Date/Time: 11/20/2026 5:00 PM Eastern