Montgomery County Department of Public Safety
Communications Division
2010 Telecommunicator Starting salary: $41,875 (after training)
2010 Hiring Calendar:
February 1st - March 1st -- NOW Scheduling Testing
SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW
March 7th - March 13th -- Candidate Initial Computerized Testing
April 5th - April 17th -- Candidate Interviews
April 19th -- Conditional Offers of Employment
May 17th -- Telecommunicator Class Begins
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What to do next:
1.Take a FREE Practice Typing Test
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2.Download and Complete an Employment Application
3.Download and Read Testing Information/Instructions
4.Read our Frequently Asked Questions
5.View our testing Schedule - Choose a date/time
5. Get directions to our facility at 50 Eagleville Rd, Eagleville, PA (PLEASE be on time):
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6. IF YOU ARE INSTRUCTED TO DO SO: Download and complete the
Personal History Questionnaire
Career Opportunities in Emergency Communications
THE COUNTY
Montgomery County is the third most populous in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with a population estimated at 770,774 -- greater than the states of Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, North Dakota, and the District of Columbia. With a rich history that pre-dates the Revolution, Montgomery County has developed from east to west over the centuries and includes highly urbanized centers, quaint villages and rich rural farm land.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Public Safety’s Communications Division is an industry leader in technology. Our newly designed, state-of-the-art Operations Center, dedicated in November 2007, is now in full service with ample area devoted for future growth as the need for our services increase. Our Communications team – comprised of 115 telecommunicators and 20 administrative and technical service positions – works hand-in-hand with the County’s 50 municipal police departments and 111 fire and EMS agencies, in addition to other dedicated local, state and federal public safety departments. Many opportunities for career advancement are available including Team Supervisor, Communications Training Officer, and Tactical Response Telecommunicator. Whatever specialized training path you choose, a new rewarding public safety career awaits you.
THE MISSION
The Montgomery County Communications Division mission is to serve as the communications contact point between the citizen and the public safety agencies. We will accomplish this mission by accurately and efficiently identifying the location and the needs of the citizen in order to provide the necessary public safety services and communication support. Our one and only product is service,and our continuing goal is to provide it at a level that is second-to-none. The source of our strength rests in our people, who define and shape the organization through their individual and unique contributions developed in a spirit of cooperation and teamwork.
THE TELECOMMUNICATOR CAREER
Being part of the public safety team requires people who can react and respond appropriately regardless of the situation at hand. As such, a Telecommunicator must be willing to operate under high stress situations in order to keep both the public and emergency responders safe. The public deserves the expectation of consistency in their safety and security, and the right character traits help the telecommunicator excel under these conditions.
The Ideal Candidate Characteristics:
Job Expectations
:
Due to the nature of the industry, a telecommunicator may be called on at any time, whether that would be a bright July morning or snowy December night. We provide essential services that must operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our team of highly dedicated Telecommunicators operate on a 12 hour shift schedule covering all holidays and weekends, and rotating shift times when necessary. The work is challenging and demands the best at all times, but those that succeed know that the greatest reward is becoming a part of an essential and critical team, helping those in their time of desperate need.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
The Telecommunicator application process is extensive by design. The successful candidate will be responsible for the safety and well-being of the approximate one million residents and visitors to Montgomery County. It is our duty to ensure that the teams we build are up to this challenging task. The following explains, in detail, our complete hiring process. The successful candidate will need to be available for each portion of the testing process, and the order of the process is at the discretion of the Communications Division staff. Expect the complete application process to take up to 3 months before an offer of employment can be made. The application process can be initiated by either contacting our office to schedule pre-employment testing and submitting an employment application after your testing session or submitting a County employment application to our office. An application can be accessed at the top of this page, or on the Human Resources Department website:
http://humanres.montcopa.org/
CritiCall™ Testing
A computer generated system that simulates the job duties of a Telecommunicator. The testing session could take up to two hours to complete. We recommend that you review the testing preparation and instruction documents available on our Department website. Each candidate will be mailed a letter informing them of their test results and the remaining application steps.
Initial Screening & Pre-Interview Questionnaire
You will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire followed by a five to ten minute conversation with a member from the selection panel.
Personal History Questionnaire
You will be provided with access information and instructions to complete an extensive personal history questionnaire online within 10 business days. Assistance in gaining internet access willbe provided to any applicant that would otherwise not have access to this service.
Cognitive/Personality Written Test
In conjunction with the Personal History Questionnaire, this examination is scored and ranked by an outside assessment center in order to find those applicants that are best suited for this career.
Oral Interview With Selection Panel
Applicants should expect the oral interview to last approximately one hour.
Background Investigation
An extensive background investigation will be conducted including reference checks, background checks, and home visits by the Department’s law enforcement staff.
Sit-Along
Candidates that reach this stage of the hiring process will be required to observe current calltakers and dispatchers for a 12-hour night (7pm - 7am) shift. You will have an opportunity to listen to live calls, be introduced to your potential co-workers, and to truly experience the atmosphere, job, and challenges.
Participants must arrive dressed in casual business attire (collared shirt, undershirt, dress pants, shoes) and must present a valid Driver License.
Psychological Evaluation
A Department contracted psychologist will conduct an interview with each applicant. The time frame of this process varies with each applicant.
Drug Screening / Physical Examination
Applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment physical, including a drug screening. Job duties deemed typical for a telecommunicator will factor into the physical examination.
Applicants who are given an offer of employment will be given the following information:
At no time should probationary status be construed as a contract or guarantee of employment. All employees of the County of Montgomery are employees at the will of the County and have no actual, express or implied expectation of continued employment.
Ineligible candidates will be informed in writing within 30 days of such a decision.
If there are any questions regarding the application process, please do not hesitate to contact a recruiter, at (610) 631-3079. Montgomery County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
THE BENEFITS
All full-time County employees receive subsidized medical, dental, long term disability and life insurance benefits. Four top quality health insurance plans are offered to choose from which cover not only the employee, but all immediate family members. In addition to the basic benefits package, there are many other perks offered to our dedicated personnel:
2010 Salary: $41,875
This includes your annual salary plus 8 hours of built-in overtime every other week.
Full benefits package:
This includes your choice of a subsidized Participating Provider Option (PPO) or a subsidized Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), and full coverage for vision, dental, and prescriptions.
Long Term Disability Insurance:
You can receive up to 50% of your monthly salary for non-work related illness or injury.
Life Insurance:
All employees are provided coverage equal to their annual salary.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance:
Optional insurance that provides coverage of $25,000 to $150,000 for accidents anywhere in the world at any time
Pension Plan:
All employees are vested in the plan after 8 years of employment. This is a 5% taxed deferred contribution available at age 60 or age 55 with 20 years of service.
Tuition & Continuing Education Reimbursement:
Reimbursements for job related classes are 75% of the tuition fee up to $3,000 annually; with required course tuition covered 100% by the County.
Credit Union Membership:
This option is available to any interested employee.
Reduced Cost Childcare:
The County owned and operated childcare center is available to all employees at a cost much lower than other similar centers.
Vacation Time:
80 hours, increasing to 120 hours after 5 years of service
Personal Time:
24 hours annually
Sick Leave:
96 hours annually
Paid Holidays:
13 days annually
Uniforms Provided