*THIS IS NOT AN APPLICATION FOR A COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR POSITION, THIS IS ONLY FOR INTEREST IN THE COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR/ CALL TAKER JOB FAIR!!!!*

Communications Operator/Call Taker Job Fair
Saturday, November 15, 10am-1pm
LOCATION: Sarasota County Emergency Operations Bureau

Newly hired applicants who submit their application between November 15 and May 31, 2026, will be eligible to receive a $2,000 hiring bonus. Those eligible will receive $1,000 after successful completion of the field training program and $1,000 following one year of employment.
Shift Work – The Emergency Operations Bureau (EOB) operates 24 hours per day/7 days per week. Shifts assignments include weekends, holidays, on call, hurricanes, evacuations, or other state of emergencies. Shifts are not rotating; you must be flexible and able to work 12-hour shifts including day shift (0700-1900) or night shift (1900-0700). There is no guarantee of shift assignment, it is based on the need once you graduate from the academy. Shift bid occurs once a year, the changeover and new assignments occur in January.
Tasks: Complete assignment as directed; maintain work areas; knowledge of general orders; assist and coordinate emergency assignments; process wrecker requests and maintain wrecker files; utilize resources; track and monitor appropriate personnel; route calls to the proper agency; respond and request assistance from another agency; receive and enter complaints into CAD system/screen construction; prioritize calls; operate telephone consoles/CML; operate NCIC/FCIC computer; operate the PSC computer/CAD; notify agencies/floor supervisor or robberies and priority events; maintain radio logs; and inform supervisors of events and activities in progress.

• High School diploma or equivalent
• One year sequential experience
• As a condition of continued employment, the 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator Training Program must be completed, and the Florida Certification exam must be passed within 11 ½ months of appointment to the position. Training: Communications Operator III (Call Taker) training will begin with a 7-week classroom style academy to include 1 week of EMD/EFD certification training and 16 weeks of field training. Operators will work 8-hour shifts during the agency paid training academy, and upon completion move to 12-hr shifts. Certifications: During the first year of employment Operators will receive certifications in the following:
  • 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator Florida Certification
  • Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification (EMD)
  • Emergency Fire Dispatch Certification (EFD)
  • CPR Certification
• Note: 8-hour shifts/40-hr work week during the 6-week paid training academy. Salary is $28.24 per hour/$58,739.20 annually based on 8-hr shifts.

2184
Long Term Cap $89,781