SENIOR PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR (State)

Code: 05865 State Competitive Range: O19 (FY 2027) Work week 40: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $59,763.25 - $87,117.35/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction of the Supervising Public Safety Telecommunicator or other supervisory official in a 911 Call Center in a State College, takes the lead and works with a group of employees engaged in receiving and responding to telephone and/or other electronic requests for emergency assistance including law enforcement, fire, medical or other services; gathers essential information and dispatches the appropriate unit(s) to response sites; performs other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Takes the lead in the work of lower level employees.
• Assigns tasks to provide new employees with the experience and training required to perform the work.
• May conduct training classes for lower level Public Safety Telecommunicators.
• Promptly determines the type of emergency service or action required and responds accordingly.
• Assists in determining the nature of calls received by lower level employees.
• Operates automatic number identification (ANI), automatic location information (ALI), telecommunications devices for the deaf (TTY/TDD), or other electronic devices to obtain and verify required data.
• Monitors and dispatches appropriate emergency response providers such as police, fire services, emergency medical services and hazardous materials response teams.
• Monitors fire and burglar alarms and alarm systems for campus buildings; dispatches appropriate unit(s) to the site when necessary.
• Accesses foreign language interpreter service for non-English speaking callers.
• Maintains a reassuring, calming manner with callers to obtain required information.
• Assists lower level employees in the provision of first aid or CPR instructions to stabilize the medical condition of persons until arrival of professional medical assistance in response to medical emergencies.
• Gives precautionary instructions and advice to help ensure the personal safety of persons and/or to minimize loss of property pending arrival of fire, police or other assistance in nonmedical emergencies.
• Obtains, verifies, assesses and records all necessary information to best assist the caller.
• Refers nonemergency situations to other appropriate public or private agencies.
• Dispatches nonemergency personnel and/or equipment.
• Relays information and/or instructions to field units via radio or mobile data terminal.
• Utilizes video display terminal or computer oriented or radio equipment to receive, monitor, record, summarize and/or transmit data relating to the emergency.
• Utilizes radio, telephone and computerized or other electronic equipment to dispatch specific law enforcement, fire or medical assistance units to the scene of an emergency based on preestablished response plans.
• Locates or contacts individuals needed to staff various responses.
• Maintains and facilitates communication with responding units by receiving information including confidential information to authorized personnel.
• Detects and takes alternative/corrective action when communication system or program errors occur and reports malfunctions in accord with established procedures.
• Maintains a constant update on the status of emergency units in the field and on-call personnel.
• Answers questions about routine regulations and policies.
• Receives and answers telephone, radio and video display inquiries of the NCIC and the SCIC for law enforcement agencies of the State.
• Maintains and updates records and files in the NCIC, SCIC and other database systems.
• Supervises the maintenance of the official station record and/or the daily log of all incoming and outgoing communications.
• Activates emergency alert systems such as bells, sirens, beepers and tone-activated devices.
• May oversee the preparation of reports and statistical data.
• Inspects and makes minor adjustments and/or repairs to communications and related equipment.
• Prepares and maintains essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience in work involving the receiving, transmitting, and relaying of video display and/or radio messages, and in the receiving, relaying, and recording of complaints and requests for emergency assistance which shall have included the use of video display, data processing, automatic number identification, automatic location identification, switching equipment, or other computer oriented equipment.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

<b>KNOWLEDGE AND ABILIITIES:</b>

Knowledge of methods for operating communications systems.

Knowledge of procedures used for emergency medical treatment.

Knowledge of information required for documenting emergency situations and calls.

Knowledge of emergency medical, fire, police and other emergency terminology.

Knowledge of procedures for dispatching emergency and nonemergency equipment and personnel.

Knowledge of security procedures involved in the dissemination of information.

Knowledge of safety, security and emergency management procedures and guidelines.

Knowledge of procedures for investigating and resolving complaints.

Ability to take the lead and work with a group of employees involved in receiving and responding to calls for emergency assistance and in dispatching personnel and equipment.

Ability to give assignments and instructions to employees.

Ability to train employees and others in the performance of their assignments.

Ability to operate automatic location identification (ALI), automatic number identification (ANI) and other communications equipment in a complex communications program.

Ability to answer voice and TTY/TTD (telecommunications devices for the deaf) telephone calls received from the public.

Ability to operate a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.

Ability to provide clear instructions and guidance to callers in emergency situations.

Ability to clearly and accurately relay instructions and questions accurately and clearly.

Ability to comprehend, interpret and evaluate relevant information from various types of source materials.

Ability to obtain and analyze facts to reach logical conclusions.

Ability to read and discern visual images on a variety of media.

Ability to organize assigned communications work and develop appropriate work methods according to established procedures.

Ability to calmly and effectively interact with people in difficult situations.

Ability to establish priorities and pass on information as needed.

Ability to work both independently and as a part of a team.

Ability to understand, remember and carry out oral and written instructions.

Ability to collect information from both English speaking and non-English speaking individuals.

Ability to speak clearly, concisely and in a professional manner.

Ability to maintain confidentiality of acquired information received.

Ability to prepare and maintain essential records and files.

Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Appointees to positions at Public Safety Answering Points and at some Public Safety Dispatch Points must have achieved training and certification by the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services (OETS) in the Department of Law and Public Safety as required by NJAC 17:24-2 and NJAC 17:24-3.