Employment — Personnel Division

Public Safety Communication Specialist I

Full Time: Starting Salary: $35,923 (effective July 6,2008)
 

This position is assigned to the Department's Emergency Communications Center (ECC) which is located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Communications Specialist is responsible for delivering quality emergency communication services to the public, as well as providing accurate and timely dispatch support to police officers. The Communications Specialist has a unique responsibility in a fast paced environment that requires careful attention to detail, multi-tasking, and good communications skills. Major duties include answering police 9-1-1 emergency calls, and dispatching police officers to respond to calls, using a computer system known as (CAD) Computer Aided Dispatch.

Applicants Must Have the Ability to:

Minimum Qualifications Must be Met by All Applicants:

Back to Top

Selection Process

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. We test on a monthly basis starting with the computer based typing test.

• Written Examination (Duration: 1hour) The written examination consists of three times components. This examination tests your suitability, problem solving, reaction time and multitasking skills.
    
• Computer Examination (Duration: 1 and 1/2 hours) The "Critical" examination in a job simulation and consists of the following components: decision making, data entry, call simulation, cross referencing, character comparison, memory recall, prioritization, map reading, spelling and sentence clarity.  All those applicants who pass the computerized examination will be scheduled for a Structured Interview. Those applicants who fail the written examination will be eliminated from further processing.
   
• Structured Interview Process (Duration: 45 minutes) Every effort will be made to administer the structured interview to the most competitive applicants within two (2) weeks of the typing examination. A structured interview means that all applicants will be asked the same job related questions. The applicants responses are measured and evaluated against preferred/expected response guidelines. Possible rating outcomes include "Well Qualified", "Qualified", and "Not Qualified". Generally, only those receiving a rating of "Well Qualified" are eligible for further processing.
   
• Background Investigation (Duration: approximately 6 weeks) Only the most competitive of candidates will be selected for a background investigation. A rating of "Well Qualified" does not ensure that an applicant will undergo a background investigation. A comprehensive background investigation will include an in-depth interview, extensive inquiries into employment history, criminal and traffic records, credit reports, and military records (if applicable). We will interview your references, neighbors, co-workers, and family members. The information produced by this background investigation will enable us to select those applicants best suited for a career with this department.
   
• Conditional Offer of Employment After an in-depth review of an applicant's background investigation, only the best suited applicants will be made a conditional offer of employment for existing vacancies. Due to the abundance of candidates, it is possible for a candidate to successfully complete the background investigation process, and not receive a conditional offer of employment. All candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to spend tow hours in the Communication Center to observe Public Safety Communication Specialist while they are call taking and dispatching.
   
• Medical Examination (Duration: Approximately 2 hours) Applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment must successfully complete a medical examination in order to be considered for final offer of employment. The medical examination will include a hearing and medical/physical examination. The medical results are reviewed by the Chief of Police or designee in order to determine if the applicant will receive a final offer of employment. Successful applicants may be made a final offer of employment.
    
• Psychological Examination: (Duration – up to six hours) All applicants whop receive a conditional offer of employment must successfully complete written and oral psychological examinations. The oral component is conducted by a Psychologist who will also review the written examination results. A standardized writing skills examination will also be administered.
   
• Notifications Every effort will be made to give applicants at least two (2) weeks notice of any scheduled appointment. Additionally, every effort will be made to notify applicants of the results of each component of the selection process within thirty (30) days of the selection decision.
   
• Retest Policy Any applicant who fails a component of the selection process must wait three (3) months before they are eligible to reapply unless they have been permanently excluded from future employment consideration.

Back to TOP

Laterals Public Safety Communication Specialist I Lateral Employment Opportunity Have you considered a career change recently? Interested in working for one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country? Montgomery County Department of Police is now offering a lateral entry program for those qualified candidates who want to join a nationally recognized and accredited law enforcement agency.

• Starting Salary Range Based on previous years of experience.

  1 year - $37,181*
  2 years -$38,483*
  3 years - $39,830*
  4 years - $41,225*
  5 years - $42,668*
  *effective 07-6-08
   

• Public Safety Communication Specialist I Salary Incentive for Bi-Lingual Skills
  
  • Have you considered a career change recently? Interested in working for one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country? Montgomery County Department of Police is now offering a salary incentive program for those candidates with bi-lingual skills who want to join a nationally recognized and accredited law enforcement agency.
    
  • Be compensated for this increasingly important skill. We recognize the value of those employees who bring bi-lingual skills to our community, and as such, we offer bi-lingual pay differential to those police Public Safety Communication Specialists certified by the county as having a second language skill capability to include American Sign. Actual pay is based on certified skill level and hours worked (up to $1,750.00 a year).

Back to TOP

Apply Online to become a Public Safety Communication Specialist I.

For additional information:
Call our Job Information Line at 240-773-5300 or CLICK HERE to go to the Communications Division Page

TDD #301-762-7619 (HEARING IMPAIRED)