The Gwinnett County Police Department is currently seeking 911 Communications Officers. The starting salary for the role is $48,460. 911 Communications Officers with Associate degrees could receive a potential 3% pay incentive, increasing the salary to $49,914. Officers with Bachelor degrees may receive a 6% pay incentive, increasing the salary to $51,368. Communications Officers may receive shift differential (5% for overnight shift).

911 Communications Officers provide a vital service to the community by contributing to the safety and welfare of their fellow residents. They are the first point of contact in most emergency situations and can drastically affect the outcome of a potentially otherwise dire event. Communications Officers are a lifeline to first responders and the community.

The County built the 45,000 Police Headquarters Annex, which houses the E-911 Center, in 2010, for $18.7 million. The Center is state-of-the-art, to include Phase II locating, Reverse 9-1-1, and Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System. The department also has an Alternate 911 Center. The alternate 911 is used for backup of the main emergency 911 call center in case of natural disaster, power outages or other service disruptions. The state-of-the-art communications equipment duplicates the main 911 call center to ease transition of staff to the alternate call center. This will ensure vital and potentially life-saving protection and emergency service for Gwinnett’s residents when they need it most.”

Gwinnett County offers excellent benefits to its E-911 Communications employees, to include 13 days per year, vacation leave (and increases with years of service), tuition reimbursement, shift differential, and many others.

Although this is an exciting and fulfilling career, it is not for everyone. Successful candidates must have skills in:

• Communication
• Customer service
• Typing/data entry/transcription
• Calm, pragmatic, and sensible response to chaotic and emotional situations
• Multitasking

The E-911 Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Thus, Communications officers do work shifts and weekends. Shifts are 12 hours, which allows for a greater number of days off per year. Shift differential incentives are given to those working the night shift.

If you are interested in an E-911 Communications career, there are some prerequisites/qualifications:

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Two years of experience in a fast paced business customer service or telecommunications environment
• U.S. Citizen
• Ability to work rotating shifts, nights, holidays, and weekends
• A professional and calm demeanor, as this is a highly stressful, demanding, fast-paced job involving life and death situations
• The Department will administer job simulation skills test to determine eligibility; and
• Must complete a comprehensive background investigation including criminal, driving, controlled substance, and employment history checks

The application process usually takes 60 to 90 days. After an application is received in the Department of Human Resources, it is screened and then sent to the Police Department. The Police Department starts to schedule applicants for the various steps in Phase I.

Phase I:

• Preliminary Orientation
• Data Entry Testing
• Observational Block
• Oral Interview

Preliminary Orientation:
This step is to provide the applicant with some basic information about the Police Department. Personal information is also gathered. Some of the information will include, but is not limited to, educational background, employment history, and personal data.

Data Entry Testing and Observation:
This step, utilizing CritiCALL, evaluates the ability of an applicant to complete data entry from different sources. Multitasking and decision making are also measured. Once an applicant has passed the CritiCALL evaluation, they will observe in the Communications Center for a two-hour block.

Oral Interview:
Applicants who successfully complete the initial screening are scheduled for an oral interview. This interview is conducted by members of the Department who are in supervisory and management roles in Communications and in the Office of Professional Standards.

Once the applicant successfully completes Phase I, they are placed on an applicant register. If the applicant is selected, they are given a conditional job offer. The final job offer is based on the successful completion of Phase II.

Phase II:

• Physical examination/drug screening
• Psychological testing

If you successfully pass all the steps in Phase II, you are given a final job offer.

During the background investigation process, any applicant can be rejected for failing to meet the hiring standards. Once an applicant is rejected, they are not eligible to reapply for a minimum of one year. Any applicant rejected will receive a letter stating the reason for the rejection and the specific time frame required before reapplication can be made.

You will receive top-quality training in our Basic Communications Officer training program. The training is conducted at the Gwinnett County Police Training Center, located in Lawrenceville. Upon completion of the classroom portion of training, you then receive three phases of on-the-job training. Field Training Officers will teach and mentor new Communications Officers during this period. Each phase culminates in a performance examination and a written examination.