911 Specialist

911 Specialist

Salary

$47,573.57 - $83,253.50 Annually

Location

10425 Audie Lane, La Plata, MD

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

2026-00174

Department

ES COMMUNICATIONS FT

Opening Date

10/26/2026

Closing Date

11/29/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Summary

To be considered for this position, applicants must note all qualifications, requirements, and certifications on the application, and MUST attach/upload copies of certifications to be eligible to continue in the process.

Candidates who qualify will be sent a link, via email, to take an online computer-based skills exam before the job announcement expires.

The skills test is computer-based and includes a typing test. You may want to practice your typing skills now, as this is an integral portion of the test. Candidates who successfully complete the skills testing will sit for an interview.

(Please make sure to provide an updated and active email address on your application, as emails will be sent throughout each step in the process)

When completing the application process, if the system does not allow you to upload more than one certification, please contact the Department of Emergency Services at (301) 609-3406, before submitting. Please do not write "See resume" or "See attached" on your application; your application will NOT be considered. You MUST include all information on the application itself.

_____

This is entry level work involving public safety communications in a 365/24/7 9-1-1 communications center, providing critical information from the general public in crisis to public safety responders via Dispatchers. Duties involve receiving, screening, prioritizing and relaying information over various communications systems, including telephone and digital formats via CAD. Duties include customer service, caller management, relaying life-saving instructions, post-dispatch instructions and pre-arrival instructions. Personnel are expected to exhibit highly skilled listening ability in order to quickly and accurately ascertain from emotional, distraught individuals the nature of assistance required and demonstrate the ability to type/enter the information accurately and quickly into the CAD system. This is considered an essential part of public safety and assigned rotating shifts. Work is performed under the direct supervision of a Public Safety Communication Supervisor.

Essential Job Functions

• Receives requests for assistance by utilizing computerized 9-1-1 telephone system, evaluates type of assistance needed.
• Receives 9-1-1 and other emergency requests for service. Simultaneously determines the nature and location of the emergency; determines priority and enters information into the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Answers non-emergency calls for service, determines type of assistance required, and provides appropriate assistance as needed. Processes emergency and non-emergency requests for State, County and regional Law enforcement, Fire and EMS, and several public service organizations; relay incident specific information to appropriate agency.
• Receives emergency and non-emergency calls for service from non-English speaking customers. Use computerized 9-I-I telephone system to establish a link with appropriate interpreter to determine nature and location of the emergency; priority, type of assistance required, provide appropriate assistance as needed and dispatch correct agencies.
• Communicate with voice box devices for speaking impaired persons; communicate with Maryland Relay Service for the hearing impaired.
• Uses 9-I-I telephone system to communicate with the caller to determine nature and location of the emergency; priority, type of assistance required, provide appropriate assistance as needed and dispatch correct agencies.
• Provides Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD), and Emergency Police Dispatch; triage in-coming requests for emergency service calls to determine the level of response; provide pre-arrival instructions to the caller. Must use established Emergency Dispatch protocols to immediately provide help to the victim or other party; operate within an established quality assurance standard of service.
• Operate a variety of mission critical communications equipment /devices that use application software including CAD, computer telephone interface console, and GIS mapping system.
• Complies with procedures and regulations set by CCG, DES, Fire and EMS associations and Sheriffs police. Assist Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, and Dispatcher II.
• Works with other divisions of the Department of Emergency Services, Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, CCG, Public Service Support Agencies and neighboring jurisdictions to facilitate the response of the closest appropriate public safety resources in order to protect life, limb, and property.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED).

Licenses or Certifications:

Required to obtain during 12-month probationary period: National and Maryland certification in the 9-1-1 call taking protocol system used by Charles County as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Emergency Fire Dispatcher, and Emergency Police Dispatcher; National certification as an Emergency Telecommunicator; CPR; Incident Management Systems Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200,700 and 800; HAZMAT Awareness; Confined Space Awareness; Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness; and CCG Defensive Driving Course.

Note: Some licenses and/or certifications require periodic renewal. The employee must maintain them throughout employment in this position. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION, AND EMPLOYEES IN THIS POSITION ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING.

Must pass a job-related background examination, including a drug screening.

Assigned to work one 12-hour day or one 12-hour night shift in a 24-hour period.

Must be willing to work rotating shifts, including nights, holidays and weekends.

Must work on an on-call basis and irregular duty assignments.

Must wear a uniform and safety equipment, when needed.

Must attend educational sessions, as required.

Must be able to travel out of town for one day or more, when needed.

Must be able to type a minimum of 30 wpm.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Charles County geography including towns, jurisdictional boundaries, response boundaries, highways, roadways, waterways and landmarks.
• Operation of various communications devices and computer equipment.
• Ability to hear multiple conversations simultaneously, distinguishing between voices and sources to obtain relevant information quickly and accurately.
• Ability to speak clearly, distinctly, concisely, and correctly over the telephone.
• Ability to type on computer keyboards a minimum of 30 wpm while reading from protocol and operate telephone
• Ability to prioritize tasks and perform multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast paced, high stress emergency work environment.
• Ability to make immediate decisions and react in a quick, calm, controlled and effective manner in emergency situations.
• Ability to read, understand and interpret complex maps.
• Ability to interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies and procedures utilized in public safety.
• Ability to learn to assess conditions of patients with medical emergencies and provide emergency medical pre-arrival instructions to callers following specific emergency medical dispatch protocols.
• Ability to demonstrate familiarity with and use the language / codes / jargon of various public safety agencies; have vision correctable to 20/30 and have normal color vision and hearing.
• Ability to carry out own daily assignments, follow through on matters, and use independent judgment and training to take appropriate actions to deal with standard recurring situations and extreme unpredictable circumstances.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary with frequent periods of light physical activity. Typical positions require workers to sit or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards, and requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing. Incumbents must demonstrate a state of physical and mental health consistent with the ability to perform assigned duties.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Ninety percent of duties are performed in the Public Safety Communications Center and Emergency Operations Center requiring sitting for long periods of time. May be required to respond to emergencies in the Mobile Command Post as part of an incident dispatch team or in a first responder role in support of an Emergency Services/Emergency Management mission/deployment. At times, may work outside in inclement weather and under undesirable and hazardous conditions. Works in conditions of varying noise levels and high activity.

Department: Communications

Pay Grade: 108

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Telework Eligible: No

Reports to: Public Safety Communications Supervisor

Supervises: None

Charles County Government

BENEFITS SUMMARY

www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/CharlesCountyMD

Health Insurance

Charles County Government PAYS 70% of cost: Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage. CareFirst and Delta for dental coverage.

Flexible Spending Account

Provides medical and dependent care options.

Supplemental Income Products

Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy.

Long Term Disability Insurance

No charge to employee. The benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month.

Life Insurance

No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000). Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost. Term and whole life policies available.

Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan) 401(a) Plan - Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory.

Deferred Compensation Plan

457(b) Governmental Plan - Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.

Employee Leave

• Charles County Government full-time employees earn annual, sick, and paid time off (PTO).
• The County currently recognizes 20 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Away from work programs like paid parental leave and FMLA are available to employees.

Transfer of Sick Leave

New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment.

Work Schedules

• Most work weeks are 37.5 hrs, and some positions may offer the opportunity for flexible work schedules or allow telework.

Additional Fringe Benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement for full-time employees upon completion of probation period
• Discounted, Onsite Childcare at a County Government facility.
• House Keys 4 Employee Program offers assistance to full-time employees who are first-time homebuyers.
• Free, Employee Wellness Programs
• Legal Resources (prepaid benefit)
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (free, short-term counseling)

Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30 hours or more per week unless otherwise noted. Effective: March 1, 2026

01

This position is with the Charles County Department of Emergency Services and we are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year operation. 911 Specialists are required to work rotating shifts that do not conform to a set schedule. You may be required to work on your day off, be ordered in, and/or be held over for staffing coverage. The schedule involves, weekends, holidays, evenings, and nights. In addition, we are open during severe weather and operations must continue throughout the event, in the event that this may occur, you may still have to report to work. Do you have any problems upholding these duties as a 911 Specialist?

• Yes
• No

02

Please select the choice that best describes your skill level with computers and computer software.

• Not a computer user
• Beginning computer user
• Novice (some computer skills)
• Intermediate skills
• Advanced computer skills
• Expert-level skills

03

The following certifications will be required to obtain during 12-month probationary period: National and Maryland certification in the 9-1-1 call taking protocol system used by Charles County as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher. Emergency Fire Dispatcher and Emergency Police Dispatcher National certification as an Emergency Telecommunicator CPR Incident Management Systems Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200,700 and 800 HAZMAT Awareness Confined Space Awareness Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness CCG Defensive Driving Course. Do you have any issues/concerns with this?

• Yes
• No

04

Did you provide an updated and current email address? Please note that emails will be sent throughout the whole recruitment process. If no, please provide an updated email here:

05

Do you have a valid Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

06

The position you are applying for requires an acceptable driving record. The Charles County Government employee driving policy states that employees will be considered to have an acceptable driving record if ALL of the following statements are true: - I do not exceed a maximum of four (4) points on my driving record. - I do not have a suspended or revoked license. - I do not have a single motor vehicle violation, conviction, or plea of Nolo Contendere, or the acceptance of Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) involving the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, refusal to take an alcohol or drug test, or the misuse of legal over-the-counter medication for any of these violations. - I have not demonstrated a pattern of unsafe vehicle operation as evidenced by moving violations or single infraction of such severity (e.g., eluding a police officer; evading responsibility; failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, reckless driving, etc.). According to these guidelines, do you have an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Charles County Government