Public Safety Telecommunicator at Loudoun County Government, VA

About the Department

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue (LCFR) is a combination career/volunteer organization comprised of approximately 807 employees and 800+ active operational and administrative volunteers. The Department is a growing organization that serves a large and diverse population located approximately 30 miles northwest of Washington, DC. We provide a full range of emergency and non-emergency services for 440,000 residents within a 520 square mile area. Additional information about the Department can be found at www.loudoun.gov/fire. We seek to hire a highly motivated, effective, and diverse workforce to meet the needs of the County’s residents, visitors, and business community and support the Department’s core values of Teamwork, Integrity, Professionalism, and Service.

Loudoun County offers a meaningful career, competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package. Additional information can be found at www.loudoun.gov/benefits. 

Position Duties

The Department is seeking qualified applicants for regular, full-time positions as a Public Safety Telecommunicator working an average of 42 hours per week in the Emergency Communications Center (ECC). Duties include but are not limited to: receiving calls from the public and promptly determining the urgency of the call; processing the call efficiently and accurately while maintaining a professional, courteous and reassuring demeanor with the callers; maintain essential knowledge of the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system; enter data promptly and accurately; maintain status files; maintain knowledge of division procedures, operations and policies; complete daily logs; and perform other tasks as assigned to ensure an effective, efficient and professional Emergency Communications Center. Successful applicants will also be required to participate in scheduled, on-shift training to maintain the knowledge and skills associated with the job. In addition to the advertised salary, there is a night-time differential paid to employees working night shifts.

Hiring salary will be commensurate with experience. 

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification at the 121 PST II level requires the following: High School diploma or equivalent; at least two (2) years of work experience in a call center or providing customer service; satisfactory completion of prescribed LCFR training programs (Call Taker and Dispatcher) and certifications (APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator, Priority Dispatch Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Priority Dispatch Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) and Priority Dispatch Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD)) within the probationary period. See Certifications, License, and Special Requirements.

This position is underfilled at grade 117 PST I trainee level (salary range $54,380.32 - $92,446.56) with the following minimum education and experience requirements: High School diploma or equivalent; one (1) year of work experience in a call center or providing customer service preferred. Satisfactory completion of prescribed LCFR training programs and certifications required prior to advancing to the grade 121 PST II level.

Preference given to those with NFPA didactic certification, or equivalent, as Firefighter, EMT, and/or certification as Association of Public-Safety Communications Officers (APCO) Public Safety Telecommunicator, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) and Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD).

Other Qualifications

Certifications, Licenses and Special Requirements:
Successful candidates will be required to complete an internal Call Taker Recruit school and successfully pass the LCFR Call Taker Release test during the probationary period. To advance from the 117 PST I grade to a 121 PST II, employees must successfully pass LCFR Dispatcher training and a release test.
Must be able to work rotating shifts, that include days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Some workdays require extended shifts. Current operating schedule is 2 days 0700-1900 followed by 2 nights 1900-0700 then off for 4 days and may be subject to change.

Job Contingencies:
The selection process will include review of application, verification of certifications and experience, CritiCall computer simulation test, and a panel interview. Also, successful completion of extensive criminal background check (including fingerprinting) and drug screening.
Anticipated timeline and details for this recruitment are listed below. All dates are subject to change.
• Applications are accepted through September 21, 2025, at 11:59 pm.
• Application Review and candidate testing notification: September 24- Oct 1, 2025
• In-person Criticall Testing: October 6-7, 2025
• In-person Interview: October 16-17, 2025
• Target Hire Date is December 4, 2025