Become a Telecommunicator

A Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office Telecommunicator must:

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Be a citizen of the US.
• Have high school diploma or equivalent. Training and standards require a high school equivalent diploma be at least partial classroom.
• Possess or be able to possess a NC driver’s license.
• Not have a conviction of a felony or serious misdemeanor.
• Meet applicable standards and Cabarrus County Sheriff's office requirements as well as qualify for State Law Enforcement Certification in accordance with the NC Sheriff's Training and Standards Commission.
• Must live in Cabarrus County or one of the surrounding counties like Rowan, Stanly, Union, Mecklenburg or Iredell County and be within a maximum response time of one hour to the Sheriff's Office

Salary / Benefits

• Starting pay of $35,380.80 ($17.01 hourly)
  
• Up to $37,149.84 after 12 hour shift differential
• Vacation / sick time
• Paid holidays
• Paid on-the-job training
• Employee health, dental and vision
• Retirement plan

Nature Of Work

A Telecommunicator is responsible for day to day operations at the communications center within the office of the Sheriff. The Telecommunicator’s responsibilities include receiving and transmitting radio, telephone and teletype messages, dispatching law enforcement personnel, fire and emergency units on an assigned shift. Responsibilities also include related record keeping tasks. Employees are expected to work with considerable independence. The applicant must be willing to work 12-hour rotating shifts which includes holidays and weekends. Work is supervised by a Telecommunicator II.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the Cabarrus County street/highway system and geography.
• Knowledge of radio, telephone and communication equipment operation.
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely in a well-modulated voice.
• Ability to think/act quickly, calmly and accurately in emergency situations.
• Ability to understand/follow complex oral/written instruction and procedure.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to type 21 words per minute with no errors.
• Ability to acquire certification from the State Bureau of Investigations, Division of Criminal Information within 120 days of employment and re-certify every two years.

Examples Of Work

• Receives calls and broadcasts on multiple radio frequencies; receives requests for law enforcement, fire or emergency services by phone, radio or teletype; records phone and radio traffic for playback as needed; determines nature of required assistance, location and other pertinent information.
• Monitors burglar and fire alarms and emergency telephone systems; maintains records of all radio and telephone transmissions.
• Transmits orders and received messages from a large number of law enforcement units; maintains status of all working units; relays general information to the public and refers non-emergency calls to the proper office.
• Dispatches emergency units as required; notifies ranking officers of calls as needed; maintains radio contact with other law enforcement agencies; operates a computer terminal to send/receive law enforcement information.
• Maintains current knowledge of patrol boundaries, main thoroughfares and access routes.

Education And Experience

Must meet all the applicable standards and quality for State Telecommunicator Certification in accordance with the NC Sheriff's Training and Standards Commission as well as the policies of the Cabarrus County Sheriff's office.​