Job description
Department of Public Safety
Job Class Code: 8600
Grade: 19 (Professional/Technical)
Salary: $49,130 - $65,462 (Includes 30% stipend)
Location: Bangor, ME
Opening Date: June 7, 2023
Closing Date: June 22, 2023
Please visit the link above to watch a video regarding the exciting and rewarding position of an Emergency Communications Specialist!
Lights flashing...
Sirens blaring...
Emergency vehicles must be dispatched before they can help anyone...
Enter the importance of Emergency Communication Specialists; they play this crucial role, acting as the liaison between law enforcement and people in need of help. They must gather essential information from callers before sharing it, accurately and promptly, with first responders. Build your career with the Department of Public Safety. Possible advancement routes include: Q/A positions, Supervisor, Operation Managers, CAD Administrators, or Director.
This operation must provide 24/7 coverage; therefore, it operates on a rotating schedule, which may include weekends, holidays, evenings, and/or night shifts.
If you want to serve your community, help the public, and make an impact with your next career, the State of Maine wants to hear from you!
Any selected candidate must be able to pass a fingerprint-based background check and a polygraph before employment.
During the training period, the selected applicant must be available to work all 3 (three) shifts including days, evenings, and overnights. After the probationary period, shift assignments are determined by seniority in compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
A typical day involves:
- For emergency and non-emergency situations:
- Acting as the first point of contact for people in need of help
- Coordinating effective response to calls for service
- Developing incident resolution strategies
- Searching databases to find pertinent information for appropriate personnel (things like criminal history, stolen property, and motor vehicle data)
- Documenting calls in computer aided dispatch system
- Operating communications equipment, including computer aided dispatch and radio systems
To be successful, you must be able to…
- Make prompt and accurate decisions under stressful and time-sensitive conditions
- Handle multiple enhanced 911 calls simultaneously
- Detect discrepancies within agency databases and report inconsistencies
- Perform duties with minimal supervision
- Prioritize incidents
Within six months of hire, new employees receive training from the Department of Public Safety to attain certifications in:
- Maine State Terminal Operator
- Emergency Telecommunicator
- Emergency Fire Dispatcher
- Emergency Medical Dispatcher (which includes CPR training)
- NexGen 9-1-1
Minimum qualifications:
Graduation from high school or equivalent.
Contact information:
Questions about this position should be directed to Theresa Perry at [email protected]
Application Instructions:
Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and copies of any transcripts or certifications you wish to have considered while evaluating your application. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.
If you require a paper application, please download and print one here https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process or contact our office at 207-623-6700. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with cover letter and resume before the closing date to Security & Employment Service Center, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME 04330 or faxed to 207-287-2018. Be sure title of the job you are applying for is included. Applications cannot be accepted after the posting closing date.
Benefits of working for the State of Maine:
No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:
- Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
- Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($10,150.80-$11,942.16 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
- Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
- Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).
- Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 13.16% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
- Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
- Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
- Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
- Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
- Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive four weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
- Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
- Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.
There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
Thinking about applying?
Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.
About State of Maine
CEO: Janet Mills
Revenue: Unknown / Non-Applicable
Size: 10000+ Employees
Type: Government
Website: www.maine.gov
Year Founded: 1820