Job Opportunities

Lee Control is Lee County's Secondary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and is staffed with civilian personnel dedicated to assisting citizens and public safety personnel during emergencies and times of need.

While employment opportunities for management, supervisory, technical support, and administrative positions may be available in Lee Control, the majority of the job opportunities are for Communications Operator in the Emergency Dispatch Center.

What are desirable traits of a successful Communication Operator?

• Ability to think quickly
• Ability to work under stressful conditions
• Speak clearly
• Hearing accuracy
• Ability to listen carefully
• Visual acuity
• Ability to deal with the public and user agencies
• Ability to remember oral and written instructions
• Ability to follow instructions
• Ability to sit for long periods of time
• Ability to write clearly and spell correctly
• Typing skills or keyboard familiarity
• Ability to interface with the computer
• Ability to remain calm while dealing with frightened, hysterical or angry callers

What is the starting salary?
The Job Opportunity Announcement indicates the starting salary for the position applied. The starting salary of an entry level position within Lee Control is competitive with other 9-1-1 and dispatch personnel throughout the region.

What is the shift work schedule?
Personnel are assigned a 12-hour shift schedule based upon operational necessity.

Will I need to go through a background investigation?
Yes, all public safety employees must successfully complete a background investigation. The civilian background investigation process can take approximately 30 days to complete.

Would I be part of a retirement program?
Yes, as a Lee County Public Safety Communications employee you are eligible for membership in the Florida State Retirement System. Get details.

How can I get more information?
View Job Openings and Apply!

Training

When the Lee County Emergency Dispatch Center finds a suitable candidate, the new employee is expected to complete a rigorous and challenging training program. Each new employee is assigned to a Certified Training Officer (CTO) for the duration of their training. It is the CTO who coordinates the training of new employees and keeps them on schedule. This internal training program, similar to an apprenticeship, takes a MINIMUM of 40 weeks to complete. It is comprised of separate "call-taking" and "dispatching" sections.

Not only is the internal training program required for all new employees, the State of Florida also requires ALL telecommunicators who answer 9-1-1 calls in the state to attend a state-certified "Florida Public Safety Telecommunicator" class. This class is a minimum of 232 hours in length, and MUST be completed by all employees of Lee Control prior to answering a 9-1-1 call. Once our employees achieve this certification, it must be maintained. The State of Florida requires 20 hours of continuing education training every two years.

In addition to the state mandated training and our internal apprenticeship program, new employees are required to earn and maintain two additional certifications. Lee Control is a Dual ACE-accredited dispatch center, and is required to utilize two systems that prioritize fire and medical incidents based on type and severity. Each course is 24 hours in length, and passing scores are required to earn your certifications. Every two years, 24 hours of continuing education must be earned for each certification, for a total of 48 hours every two years. Part of maintaining these certifications is monthly "scoring" of randomly chosen calls for service. Each of these randomly chosen calls is graded by an independent, third-party professional, and each call taker is required to consistently score a minimum of 90 percent to maintain their certification.

New employees are also required to take and maintain a valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification through the American Heart Association.

Each new employee is required to earn four certifications, assuring proficiency in the Incident Command System. Required online courses offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency are:

• ICS-100 (Introduction to the Incident Command)
• ICS-200 (ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents)
• ICS-700 (National Incident Management System [NIMS] An Introduction)
• ICS-800 (National Response Framework, An Introduction)

In October 2012, the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) designated Lee County Public Safety Communications a Dual-Accredited Center of Excellence (Dual-ACE). To achieve this, Lee Control achieved and maintained all of the Academy's Standards of Excellence for an Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) communications center.

Accreditation

Lee County is one of only 25 agencies in the world to meet IAED's rigorous accreditation criteria, and to receive this prestigious recognition. Dual-accreditation tells the County's public safety partners, and the residents of Lee County, that Lee Control communications staff are trained to an exemplary level, and are efficiently and effectively providing assistance to residents and visitors in need of fire and EMS services. The 20 points of accreditation include meeting strict quality assurance standards, employing highly developed system oversight processes, committing to ethical practices and quality improvement procedures, and assuring current certification for all E9-1-1, dispatcher and supervisory personnel.

The accreditation process does not end after an agency is awarded their designation. Lee Control must continue to maintain and demonstrate compliance with IAED standards. Quarterly, Lee Control is tasked with submitting documentation verifying that it continues to comply with Accreditation Standards in fire and emergency medical services. Through the dedication to excellence, leadership and professionalism, Lee Control is one of the top 25 dual-accredited 9-1-1 centers in the world. Most importantly, Lee Control is able to provide the highest level of service to Lee County's residents, visitors and first responders.