Communications Officers, as part of the Division’s Computer Aided Dispatch (C.A.D.) System utilize radios, telephones, and the C.A.D. system to capture and record a complete history of all calls for service and assistance. They prioritize calls in relation to the severity of the call and utilize telecommunications equipment to establish and coordinate the proper public safety response by assigning and dispatching appropriate police, fire, and rescue resources to the aid of citizens in Henrico County.
Due to the fact that the Communications Center must remain functional and manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide around the clock service to the citizens of Henrico County, Communications Officers are required to work a variety of shifts.
Qualifications for the position of Communications Officer:
- Minimum age: 18 years of age or older
- Must be a US citizen
- High School graduate or G.E.D. equivalent
- No felony convictions or habitual misdemeanor convictions
- Be of good character and reputation
- Have a favorable record of financial responsibility
- Possess the ability to speak clearly and distinctly, ability to hear and analyze situations and to react swiftly and rationally in high stress situations
- Ability to deal with citizens who are requesting aid or assistance in stressful situations
- Must be able to work assigned shifts
- Must successfully complete all State mandated certification programs and the Emergency Medical Dispatcher Program within the time frames established by the Division
Starting salary is $32,418.31. Persons participating in the Career Development Program that achieve the level of Career Communications Officer receive a salary range of up to $71,936.74.
Stages of the hiring process:
Submit an application online
Successfully pass a computerized test, which is called CritiCall
Psychological evaluation
Polygraph and opportunity to observe in the Emergency Communications Center
Background Investigation
Staff Interviews
Final Notification
Hire Date
Training Academy
First you will go through a Basic Communications Academy.
After the academy you will be paired up with a Communications Training Officer and go through each of the following phases of training:
phones - 200 hours
police radios - 240 hours
fire radios - 136 hours
teletype - 120 hours
Benefits:
Paid holidays
Paid sick leave
Paid annual leave
Educational leave
Tuition reimbursement
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Life Insurance
Long/Short Term Disability Insurance
Workers Compensation Insurance
Credit Union
Paid Military Leave
Career Development Program
FAQ
What are the hours?
An Emergency Communications Center must be manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This includes weekends, holidays and during inclement weather!!
Henrico Communications consists of three teams. One team works midnight shift, which is a permanent shift (meaning they do not rotate between other shifts). Midnight shift is from 10 p.m.- 8 a.m. The other two teams rotate between day shift (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and evening shift (4 p.m. - midnight). The two teams rotate every two weeks.
Can I pick which shift I work?
No. When you first begin as a Communications Officer, you must complete the
8-week Basic Communications Academy, which is held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After you complete the academy you are paired up with a Communications Training Officer on one of the three teams to go through the different phases of on-the-job training. You may or may not remain assigned to the same team on which you were training when your training is complete. In the future, after your training is complete, you may request a transfer to a different shift when openings are available.
Can I continue to go to college or work at another part-time job?
Not during training. After you have completed your training, you may submit a secondary employment request. Overtime at the Communications Center is also available. In reference to taking outside classes, keep in mind that while you are in training you will be assigned to work individually with a Communications Training Officer and must be on the same schedule as your training officer.
After you have been released from a training capacity you will have more flexibility with your schedule. For example: if you are on one of the teams that rotates between day and evening shifts and you take a class on Tuesday nights, for two weeks you will be on dayshift and there will be no conflict. If Tuesday happens to be your day off at that time, there will be no conflict. But if you are assigned to work Tuesday evening shift, you can either request the day off, request to switch days off with a co-worker, or request to switch shifts with a co-worker. This will not be possible while you are still
working with your individual trainers.
What if I want to withdraw my application or don’t pass one of the phases of the hiring process?
If for whatever reason you would like to withdraw from the process at any time, please just let us know. This does not disqualify you from reapplying in the future. If you do not pass one of the phases of the hiring process—for example if you do not pass the CritiCall computer test—you are welcome to reapply and retake the test during the next process. You need only to go online to www.henricojobs.com during the next application acceptance period and again submit your application.
Any other questions?
Please contact Police Personnel at (804) 501-5197. Or, if you prefer, please submit this short form for more information.
You can obtain a County employment application here.
