Job Description

Posting number: PSC-ED-2027-1

Department: Office of Homeland Security

Division: New Hire Unit

Job classification: Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher 1P

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Safety, Professional, Dispatch, EMS, 911 Telecommunications, Emergency Management

Summary

Come join our team!

Come join our team!

Prince George’s County Government provides a dynamic and inclusive workplace where employees can thrive, learn, and grow across its 30 diverse agencies, all dedicated to serving the County's residents with essential resources and services. Nestled just minutes away from Washington, DC, Prince George's County combines urban vibrancy with serene surroundings, offering an ideal setting to live, work, and enjoy life.

BILINGUAL APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

The Office of Homeland Security is seeking qualified applicants to fill Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher I/II positions, Grade P16/P18 in the Public Safety Communications (PSC) Division for its upcoming Fall 2026 training class. This role is critical in maintaining and supporting public safety. If you have a desire to help the community, support emergency responses, and are seeking a rewarding career in public safety communications, we invite you to apply today.

About the Position

Public Safety Emergency Dispatcher I incumbents/personnel are required to work 12-hour rotating shift work schedules and must have the tolerance to work under pressure. Work is performed inside a secured, windowless office environment with a specialized low-light system and includes prolonged periods of sitting at a designated workstation monitoring computer screens and entering data. There is limited opportunity for physical movement; rest and meal periods are dependent on workload. Selected candidates must be able to perform the following: reaching, fingering, grasping, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, typing, and repetitive motions. Vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus; the ability to see with or without corrective lenses, and well enough to read standard text and text displayed on a video display terminal. Work may require constant focus on a computer screen for two or more hours at a time. The incumbent must have the ability to hear with or without a headset-compatible hearing aid, speak well enough to converse on the telephone and headset, and able to type critical information at a terminal keyboard.

All personnel in this class of work must work on site and are not eligible for telework or remote work assignments.

About the Agency

The Office of Homeland Security (OHS) was developed as a result of legislation passed in 2003. This new agency incorporated critical emergency response entities that were previously part of other agencies. Public Safety Communications (PSC), which included all County 9-1-1, emergency dispatch and radio system support, had been part of the Office of Information Technology and Communications (OITC). The Emergency Management Division (EM) was within the Fire/EMS Department. EM and PSC were combined under the leadership of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety/Director of Homeland Security, forming the Office of Homeland Security. The legislation and resulting changes to the Charter, spelled out the separate and distinct missions assigned to EM and PSC.

Examples of duties

• Dispatch Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, and/or Fire/EMS units to respond to calls for assistance which are of a routine or emergency nature
• Provide special instructions, hazard information, and additional information as appropriate or as requested by Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, or Fire/EMS personnel
• Follow guidelines on how to enter information for broadcast to law enforcement officers throughout the County; operate a workstation comprised of multiple computer systems including Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency telephone system, geographical mapping tools (GIS and aerial photography), Computer Aided Dispatch, and other repositories for critical information to answer, triage and process incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for service
• Initiate calls for service utilizing appropriate protocols, provides pre-arrival instructions including CPR instructions, when appropriate
• Receive incoming requests for emergency and non-emergency assistance, determine the type of service(s) required and initiate calls for service in accordance with emergency dispatch protocols and PSC, Sheriff, Police, Fire/ EMS, other public safety agencies' policy
• Receive and process 9-1-1 and non-emergency requests for service received via radio, 9-1-1 system, on-line programs, text, or telephone while using an issued headset or other computer-based communication equipment. Process/record pertinent information according to agency procedures and protocol.
• Perform job duties at the alternate 9-1-1 center if activated or during tests/drills.

This position is designated "essential," and the incumbent must be willing to participate as a critical/essential employee during emergencies, such as natural or manmade disasters or special activities/events. Essential employees are expected to report to work or remain at work when other County employees are granted administrative leave. Employees in this classification may be assigned to a one of four twelve hour rotating shifts to meet public safety service level requirements.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must meet all minimum qualifications listed below to be eligible for additional consideration:

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application.
• One (1) year of responsible work experience as an emergency or non-emergency dispatcher/call center operator, public safety officer, security, military or healthcare services, or relevant work experience using a two-way radio

OR

• Experience as a Public Safety Emergency Call Taker II with Prince George's County Government

Candidates must successfully pass agency-specified entrance examination.

EACH APPLICANT MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION THAT CLEARY DEMONSTRATES THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION.

Supplemental information

Job Location: 17321 Melford Blvd, Bowie, MD 20715 and/or 7915 Anchor Street, Landover, MD 20785

Conditions of Employment: Upon selection, the candidate must:

• Meet minimum qualifications and must pass an OHS 9-1-1 Specialist exam. Applicants who have previously taken and passed the exam on or after 8/1/2024 will not be required to re-test; instead, previous test scores will be used to receive the passing disposition
• Successfully pass a background investigation conducted by Prince George's County’s Office of Human Resources Management Public Safety Investigations Division to include a medical examination, drug screen and random drug and alcohol tests, and psychological screening.
• Be able to work ten (10) or twelve (12) hour rotating shifts
• Have the ability (driver's license, vehicle, or other reliable transportation) to report to the primary center in Bowie, Maryland or the backup center in Landover, Maryland at the prescribed reporting times or when directed to do so
• Wear a departmental uniform and a headset in the performance of their duties.
• Satisfactorily complete all components of the Academic (Phase 1) training program by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all quizzes, examinations and practical evaluations
• Complete the NAED (National Academy of Emergency Dispatch) Emergency Telecommunicator Course (ETC) and obtain ETC certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
• Complete the NAED – EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch) course and obtain EMD certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
• Complete the NAED – EFD (Emergency Fire Dispatch) course and obtain EFD certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
• Complete the NAED – EPD (Emergency Police Dispatch) course and obtain EPD certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
• Complete the Maryland State NCIC (National Crime Information Center) CN2 training course and obtain NCIC - CN2 certification by achieving a minimum passing score on all course examinations
• Complete the CPR/BLS (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Basic Life Support) course for Health Care Providers and obtain CPR certification by achieving a minimum score of 80% on all course examinations
• Complete and meet all training and performance standards and demonstrate proficiency as required by the agency.
• Be willing and able to serve as an essential employee. This position is essential. Essential employees are expected to report during standard or non-standard hours as operations necessitate, or during emergencies. Essential employees are expected to report or remain at work when other County employees are granted Administrative Leave.

SELECTION PROCESS

To be considered for this position, applicants must successfully complete all of the following stages:

Phase 1

• Qualifications Review and Standards Assessment
• Computerized Pre-Employment Examination - OHS 9-1-1 Specialist Exam
• Preliminary Screening

Phase 2

• Background Investigation and Psychological Screening
• Medical Examination & Drug Screening which includes marijuana

Phase 3

• Final Offer of Employment
• Successfully Complete Public Safety Communications Training Session within the established probationary period

Reasons for disqualification may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Previous disqualification for this or other public safety positions
• Deception or falsification of application or other documents
• Poor driving record which may include suspended license/DWI/DUI
• Failure to meet physical and mental standards

Notifications

Notifications for this position will be made via email.

Applicants must monitor the e-mail account provided and update their online profile with any changes to personal information. All information, notices and scheduling regarding this application and evaluation process will be provided only in the online profile and/or through the email account that applicant provides with this application. Applicants must ensure e-mail account allows emails from all addresses ending in "@co.pg.md.us".

For more information and updates, you may email pscrecruiting@co.pg.md.us.