Fire Communications Officer I - SR-17

Fire Communications Officer I - SR-17

Salary

$54,756.00 Annually

Location

Hilo, HI

Job Type

Permanent & Temporary Positions

Job Number

2026-00075

Department

Fire

Division

Support Services

Opening Date

06/07/2026

Closing Date

6/16/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Duties Summary

Under direct supervision, receives formal and structured on-the-job training in the methods and procedures of emergency communication and dispatching operations including call taking and dispatching Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and equipment including Hazardous Materials and Search and Rescue operations, utilizing a specialized work station of emergency 911 communications equipment and a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system in a central fire communications operation; and performs other related duties as required.

The Fire Communication Officer I receives training to make critical response decisions while communicating emergency and non-emergency information from citizens and emergency responders and receives training to provide callers with life-saving medical and safety instructions. They are required to deal with sensitive information in a discreet and professional manner. As knowledge, skills and abilities increase, employees are expected to work with more independence, under general supervision. Tasks are performed utilizing a specialized work station comprised of a 911-telephone system, CAD system, computer based radio dispatching systems, and other supportive computer based devices. Work is performed in accordance with written policies and procedures. Performance is evaluated through direct observation and examination of written and electronic records. All voice and data entry work performed by the Fire Communication Officer I is continually recorded and is subject to live monitoring for review. After successful completion of training and satisfactory performance, employees may be released to independent status and move to the Fire Communication Officer II classification.

This Fire Communications Officer I, SR-17, position is a career ladder position. The next level in the series is Fire Communications Officer II, SR-19, $4,933/month. Persons hired into career ladder positions must meet minimum qualifications for the next level in the career ladder series, perform work at the higher level, and meet performance requirements to move to the next level in the career ladder series.

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

Special Working Conditions: Twenty-four hour, seven day-a-week operations requiring rotating shift assignment and weekend and holiday work. Overtime work as required.

Examples of Duties

• Receives formal and on-the-job training on the basic functions and missions of the Hawai'i County Fire Department and fire and EMS communications operations.
• Actively participates in a Call Taker and Dispatcher Training Program under direct supervision to perform the full range of emergency communication duties in the Fire Communications Center to include Fire, EMS, and Fire-related services, including Hazardous Materials and Search and Rescue.
• Learns and becomes proficient in operating a specialized workstation comprised of computer based 911-telephone system, CAD system, computer based radio dispatching systems, and other supportive computer based devices to answer, triage and process 911 voice and text calls from the public for emergency and non-emergency assistance.
• Utilizes the Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) application of the telephone system to communicate with deaf and/or speech impaired individuals. Facilitates language interpretation between non-English speaking callers and interpreters.
• Performs call taking and dispatching duties simultaneously when call volume exceeds staffing levels within the emergency dispatch center.
• Receives training to provide callers with life-saving medical and safety instructions, in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Interacts with callers who may be injured, distressed, distraught, emotional and/or belligerent. Maintains professional decorum when interacting with callers and attempts to calm distressed citizens during call taking to ensure effective communications.
• Gathers information from the caller to ensure personnel and public safety; classifies, codes and prioritizes cases correctly; inputs data in the appropriate fields; adjusts to varying types of calls for assistance; maintains control of the conversations and makes sound decisions during life-threatening situations.
• Evaluates information received to determine appropriate jurisdiction, equipment, and personnel to be dispatched.
• Multi-tasks while communicating clearly, calmly, and efficiently, with the public, departmental personnel, and government agencies while simultaneously using a computer, telephone, and various electronic databases.
• Receives data from responding emergency personnel, Automatic Number Identification and Automatic Location Identification (ANI-ALI) data, Wireless Phase 1 & 2 (WHP1/2) data, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping systems, flight air traffic systems, and unit or cell phone Global Positions System (GPS) identifiers, to track units and callers deployed to the field for safety and organization, and enters information into various computer systems and logs. Tracks the status of field resources and reporting parties, handles resource requests from field units, and dispatches appropriate field resources.
• Manages radio operations during Mayday alarm activation, reroutes radio traffic, and assists on scene resources in the proper management of a search and rescue for downed emergency responders.
• Manages patching of radio systems for mutual aid response between Federal, State, County, and non-governmental resources to facilitate scene organization.
• Notifies supervisor of noteworthy incidents, natural or man-made disaster situations, road closures and incidents involving HFD personnel.
• During major incidents may be assigned as an incident tactical dispatcher in the field during disaster operations within an incident command post to facilitate on site field dispatching and radio operations on a 24 hours basis.
• During disasters this position is considered an emergency worker and will be expected to report to work prior to expected disaster onset and live and work within the dispatch center during and proceeding the event during increased operational staffing levels.
• Adheres to and applies county, departmental and divisional policies, procedures and training manuals that serve as a guide to operations of the Fire Communications Center.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Training and Experience:

A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from high school, and
• two (2) years of work experience involving dispatching or public contact which shall have included providing information, answering questions and inquiries, and/or explaining policies, rules and regulations in person or by telephone.

Certificate Requirements: Possession of a current Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD) certificate and a current American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Certificate is required prior to completion of probationary period.

Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicants training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.

Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.

Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawaii County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

Knowledge of: principles and techniques in dealing with people, office practices and procedures, filing methods and systems, proper usage of English language, including diction, grammar, spelling, and punctuation, effective verbal and written communication techniques and customer service principles and techniques, the purposes and uses of standard office equipment, personal computers and Windows based applications, and geography of the island of Hawai'i, including but not limited to, towns, parks, beaches, streets, and businesses.

Ability to: type/keyboard at a rate of 35 words per minute (wpm),perform multiple tasks while simultaneously using a computer, learn departmental rules and regulations, policies and procedures of the Hawai'i Fire Department and the Fire Communications Center, and pertinent laws and ordinances of the State and County of Hawai'i, learn to operate fire radio, telephone and civil defense equipment, communicate effectively with emergency response personnel and the general public, make sound decisions quickly under traumatic or crisis situations, relate effectively to co-workers, listen effectively, exercise patience and tact in dealing with the public ,control the direction and length of calls, write clear and concise reports, and operate standard office equipment.

Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping: Light

Benefits of County Employment: The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire - up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire - up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai'i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.

Supplemental Information

Fire Communications Officer I Training

Applicants selected to become a Fire Communications Officer I with the Hawai`i Fire Department will participate in a one-year training period. The goal at the end of the one year training is that the employee will possess a working knowledge of departmental rules, policies and procedures to confidently occupy a dispatchers desk to field emergency calls and provide pertinent information.

During the training period, the following academic and performance standards, as specified by the Hawai`i Fire Department, shall apply.

• Note-taking is required during all phases of instruction.
• Pass weekly written and hands-on testing and skills assessment.
• Maintain department standards in departmental protocol, attendance and punctuality.
• Successful completion and possession of the Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD) Certificate by the end of the first six (6) months.
• Successful completion and possession of the American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Certificate by the end of the first six (6) months.
• Work rotational shifts, inclusive of weekends and holidays.
• Work overtime, before or after scheduled shift; at times with little or no advance notice.
• Work in a confined, high stress environment with other dispatchers and Fire personnel.
• Work on a console with multiple computer monitors and mice, radio system, and telephones.
• Ability to receive constructive critique.
• Ability to multi-task (performing more than one job-related task at a time) and switch back and forth between tasks.
• Ability to comprehend written and verbal instructions.

The first six (6) months is a probationary period, which each employee must pass to continue employment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:

• an official college transcript,
• a valid drivers license,
• a temporary assignment verification,
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates.

Veterans applying for veterans preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application.

ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS:

Please ensure that the email address and mobile phone number you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails and text messages or fail to check your email box or NEOGOV account INBOX in a timely manner. Checking your NEOGOV account INBOX daily is recommended and is the most secure method to check on notices sent to you. This is a new feature created by our vendor, NEOGOV.

Please add info@governmentjobs.com to your contact list. Open your NEOGOV account using your user name and password. In the upper right hand corner of the account is your name, and under your name, click on INBOX to view all notices sent you. The notices will appear here in the INBOX even in the event you dont receive it on your cell phone, computer, or other electronic device. This is the best way to check and view all notices sent to you.

You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully submitting your application. Failure to receive this confirmation email, indicates that your application was not submitted.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/countyhawaii

E-mail: jobs@hawaiicounty.gov

Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Employees start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with a maximum accumulation of 90 working days.
• Sick Leave: Employees start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with no limitation on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County provides a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: Scholarship program for employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning, subject to eligibility requirements and reimbursement limits.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: A federal program forgiving the balance of federal student loans for individuals working in public service. For program requirements and additional information, please visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
• Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan covered under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries. For more information visit https://ers.ehawaii.gov
• Deferred Compensation: Eligible employees may participate in the Island Savings Plan (a deferred compensation plan as provided under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code.) This is a voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan that allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions into a variety of investment options.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Eligible employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for their portion of insurance premiums, qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai'i offers the following health benefit plans for eligible employees:
• Medical Plan (HMO or PPO)
• Vision Plan
• Dental Plan
• Prescription Drug Plan

These benefits are administered by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund. For more information about current employee contribution rates and plans see the EUTF website (https://eutf.hawaii.gov).

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The County offers a voluntary assistance program which provides its employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: The County provides a free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, such as: Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Victims Protection Leave, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, Donor Leave, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and to legislative and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining.

01

REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS. The information provided to these Supplemental Questions may be used in combination with your application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements and/or your final score. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in your application being rejected or you receiving a lower score. Please do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questions. Any information you submit may be verified.

When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience Sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking.

I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected or my receiving a lower examination score. I also understand that I may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions. However, I may attach a resume to the application to provide additional information.

• I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above information.

02

Applicants must meet all the requirements for the position they are seeking as of the closing date of the recruitment, unless otherwise specified. Your possession of the required amount of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for the position. Overall paid or unpaid experience must be of such scope and responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that you have the ability to perform the duties of the position. It is essential that you describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.

Note: Calculation of experience is based on full-time, 40-hour work weeks. Part-time experience must be pro-rated. Example: Twelve months of experience at 20 hours per week is equivalent to six months of experience. In addition, hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week, per work experience, will not be credited. Example: Twelve months of experience at 60 hours per week is equivalent to one year, not one and one-half years.

• I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above information.

03

Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED or HiSET)?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have two (2) years of work experience involving dispatching or public contact which shall have included providing information, answering questions and inquiries, and/or explaining policies, rules and regulations in person or by telephone?

• Yes
• No

05

If you answered "Yes" to question #4, please describe ALL of your dispatching or public contact work experience. Treat each change in employer or position separately. Include the following information:

A. Employers name

B. Your job title

C. Employment dates (from month/day/year to month/day/year)

D. Hours worked per week

E. Fully describe your duties which involved dispatching

F. Fully describe your duties which involved public contact. Include the information you provided, questions and inquires you answered and/or policies, rules and regulations you explained, in person or by telephone.

G. The percentage of time you spent performing this work.

If you have no dispatching or public contact work experience, enter "None".

The following are unacceptable responses:

• See above
• Refer to resume
• See attached

06

Availability for duty in a Fire Communications Officer position is critical to public safety. If selected, are you able to meet the special working conditions of this position and be scheduled for twenty-four hour (24), seven (7) day-a-week rotating shifts including weekends and holidays and work overtime as required?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you able to handle the extreme demands of an environment that includes answering numerous telephone calls with a wide range of emergencies including life and death situations?

• Yes
• No

08

A moderate level of computer knowledge is required. Are you able to operate multiple keyboards, multiple computer mice, and multiple touch screen interfaces from several computerized systems?

• Yes
• No

09

Are you able to sit at a computer console for extended periods of time?

• Yes
• No

10

Are you able to work in restricted quarters and close to co-workers?

• Yes
• No

11

Are you prepared to deal with varying levels of public contact in which most callers are irate, upset, and unreasonable?

• Yes
• No

12

Do you have a moderate level of geographical knowledge of the Island of Hawai`i to be able to effectively and efficiently coordinate emergency assistance island-wide?

• Yes
• No

13

Are you able to read a map and provide directions?

• Yes
• No

14

This position sometimes requires taking on other tasks without being assigned or asked. Are you a team player that gets along well with others and quick to assist others without being directed to do so?

• Yes
• No

15

Are you able to multi-task while dispatching calls?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer County of Hawai`i

Address Department of Human Resources

101 Pauahi Street, Suite 2

Hilo, Hawaii, 96720

Phone 808-961-8361

Website http://jobs.hawaiicounty.gov