Public Safety Telecommunicator*
Location
Emergency Services, NC
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
102-2026-503,758,1135
Department
Emergency Services
Opening Date
06/25/2026
Closing Date
7/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
General Description
The Orange County Emergency Services Department has openings for Public Safety Telecommunicators. The work involves the responsibility for answering incoming calls through the 9-1-1 emergency communication system for Emergency Medical, Law Enforcement, Fire, Emergency Management, Park Rangers, NC State Highway Patrol, Animal Services, and any other support service that requires emergency response and monitoring and providing critical information during 9-1-1 events and dispatching appropriate emergency response unit(s).
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Public Safety Communications Battalion Chief with some leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in the performance of duties. Supervision over others is not required of this position. Does related work as required.
Compensation is based on the Orange County Step Plan (below). Employees hired in trainee status receive a 12.95% increase once released from trainee status. The step plan provides regular salary increases based on length of Orange County service. Applicants with current or prior public safety work experience may be considered for additional compensation based on education, current certifications, and length of service in a public safety communications role.
Minimum Hire
Minimum Hourly
Hourlyafter 1
yearafter 2
yearsafter 3
yearsafter 4
yearsafter 5-7
yearsafter 8-9
yearsafter 10 to 14
yearsafter 15 to 19
yearsafter 20 to 24
years25 years
plusStep 1
Step 2Step 3Step 4Step 5Steps 6, 7, 8Steps 9, 10Steps 11, 12, 13, 14, 15Steps 16, 17, 18, 19, 20Steps 21, 22, 23, 24, 25Steps 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Public Safety Telecommunicator Trainee
$46,910$22.55$48,669$50,494$52,388$54,352$56,390$58,505$59,675$60,869$61,781$62,709
Public Safety Telecommunicator
$52,988$25.48$54,975$57,037$59,176$61,396$63,698$66,086$67,408$68,756$69,787$70,834
Full Performance of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Click the link below for full job specifications including essential functions, knowledge, skills, abilities, and physical requirements.
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orangecountync/classspecs/841043
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Possession of a High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) equivalency AND eight (8) months of telecommunications or dispatch experience; OR
For Trainee status, possession of a High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) equivalency AND two (2) years of continuous employment in multi-tasking positions or work experience that includes significant contact with the public.
Must be able to keyboard 30 wpm or better.
A higher degree does not substitute for work experience.
Preferred Qualifications
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of pre-employment drug testing, vision/hearing screening, background check and a psychological examination. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.
In accordance with Section 28 of the Orange County Code of Ordinances, and/or relevant State and Federal statutes, candidates for employment may be required to undergo fingerprinting and a criminal history background check based on the job responsibilities of the position. A fingerprinting check is conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and a criminal history background check is conducted by an authorized Federal or State regulatory agency to determine eligibility for appointment. Employment is contingent upon successful clearance through these checks, which are mandated for certain roles depending on the nature of the job and applicable laws.
Further, all offers of employment are contingent upon the satisfactory verification of your eligibility for employment, successful completion of the required pre-employment testing and/or screening, including drug testing when required and the submission and approval of all new hire documentation completion of your new hire paperwork.
Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen and must be at least 18 years of age (NCAC 10B.0300).
No felony convictions (NCAC 18A.0401).
No single Class B misdemeanor conviction within ten (10) years of application. No two (2) or more Class B misdemeanor convictions regardless of date of conviction (NCAC 18A.0401). List of Class B Misdemeanors
Required participation in the County's Drug and Alcohol Screening program.
For Trainee Status, must be able to obtain the following certifications/certificates within one (1) year of hire:
This classification requires shift work, with day shift from 6:30 am to 6:45 pm, night shift from 6:30 pm to 6:45 am, and other possible shift patterns of varying hours. An employee in this class must be willing to work any shift assignment along with any assigned mandatory overtime, on-call duty, holidays, and weekends.
Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
Orange County provides a competitive benefits package for permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees that includes:
Participation in the North Carolina State Retirement System;
Orange County contributes 15.10% of your base salary per pay period and 17.10% for LEO.
Health Insurance (Medical)
Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage health insurance.
Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage health insurance.
Dental Insurance
Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage for dental insurance.
Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage for dental insurance.
Vision Insurance
Orange County offers vision insurance for employee and dependent coverage with premiums rates between $5-$15 bi-weekly.
Life Insurance
Orange County pays for an employee life insurance policy based on employees' salary up to $50,000.
Optional Life Insurance for employee and dependent life insurance policy.
Short Term Disability
Orange County pays for an employee short term disability policy that provides income protection up to 11 weeks with a weekly benefit of 70% of your weekly salary.
Optional Long Term Disability Coverage Policy
Optional Insurance Policies: Pet Discount Program, Identity Theft Insurance, Legal Insurance
401(k) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
Orange County contributes $104 per pay period ($2704.00 annually) for supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.
12 Paid Holidays
Anniversary Leave ( 8 hours of leave on your anniversary each year)
Annual Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule, pro-rated for permanent part time employees)
0-2 Years of Service = 125.84 hours/year
2-5 Years of Service = 145.08 hours/year
5-10 Years of Service = 173.68 hours/year
10-15 Years of Service = 202.80 hours/year
15-20 Years of Service = 231.40 hours/year
20+ Years of Service = 260.52 hours/year
Sick Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule)
96.2 hours/year
Tuition reimbursement assistance
Various other leave programs including civil, funeral, parental, etc.
01
Orange County is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms an employees eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9). I understand, that if hired, my employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify.
02
I understand that resumes are welcomed but do not substitute for the work experience section of this application and failure to complete the work experience section will result in an incomplete application, which will not be considered for eligibility. Did you fully complete the work experience section of this application?
03
Do you have drivers license valid in the State of North Carolina?
04
Are you an Orange County Local Government employee?
05
Please indicated your highest level of education from an accredited school?
06
Do you have eight months or more of telecommunications or dispatch experience?
07
Do you have two or more years of continuous employment in multi-tasking positions or work experience that includes significant contact with the public?
08
Are you able to type 30 WPM?
09
Do you have telecommunicator experience in an emergency services communications center?
10
Do you have experience with computer data entry and/or use of advanced telephone system and radio systems?
11
Do you have Emergency Responder experience in law enforcement, Emergency Medical Services, or fire services?
12
Are you at least 18 years of age?
13
Please indicate the certifications you currently hold. Please check all that apply.
14
This position requires shift work, with day shift from 6:30 am to 6:45 pm, night shift from 6:30 pm to 6:45 am, and other possible shift patterns of varying hours. An employee in this class must be willing to work any shift assignment along with any assigned mandatory overtime, on-call duty, holidays, and weekends. Are you willing and able to meet the schedule requirements of this position?
Required Question
Employer Orange County Government
Address 131 W. Margaret Lane, 3rd Floor
Hillsborough, North Carolina, 27278
Phone 919-245-2550
Website http://www.orangecountync.gov