Career Changer
You have on-the-job experience in a different or related career field. You paused your professional career and look to return and maybe change to a profession that is meaningful, offers some excitement, but also the safety and security of public service employment. Maybe you retired from a previous job, but now seek to “get back into the game.” Our work environment and the challenges of our daily assignments are a great place to make your experience shine. We ask you to consider working in public safety and help keep our first responders and the residents of Bexar County stay safe. Being a dispatcher for the Fire Marshal’s Office can be a rewarding career path and showcases your best skill sets.
Who We’re Looking For
- You have a High School Diploma or GED certificate.
- You are looking to change careers, reenter the workforce, or have an interest in public service employment.
- You are able to type 40 words per minute with no more than 7 errors. (Passing a test is required)
- Ability to:
- pay attention to detail,
- cooperate with others,
- maintain composure,
- control anger,
- and avoid aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations;
- take on responsibilities and challenges;
- lead,
- accept criticism,
- and deal calmly and effectively under high-stress situations;
- maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, Department/Division Heads, County employees, government agencies, and the general public
- Must pass a psychological exam
- Must possess a valid driver's license
- Must secure and maintain a favorable background investigation by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office or Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office
- Must clear a pre-employment physical and a pre-employment drug screen test
- Must be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, unless on approved leave or by authorization
- Must work weekends, and holidays and perform shift work
- May work more than 40 hours during the workweek
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Fire Communications?
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The Fire Marshal’s Office/Office of Emergency Management Communications Division is co-located with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office at the Emergency Communications Center. This division, referred to as Bexar County Fire Dispatch, is comprised of eleven (11) full-time Telecommunications Officers, and two (2) part-time Telecommunications Officers who staff the Communications Center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The division provides an essential service that provides emergency dispatch services for 38 fire stations, 12 Emergency Services Districts, 13 municipal cities, and for all Fire Marshal and Office of Emergency Management personnel.
- What are the daily duties of a fire communications officer?
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- Answers emergency and non-emergency calls from the general public and routes calls to other public safety agency dispatchers as needed
- Enters call subject matter into computer and prioritizes calls for service
- Enters all pertinent information regarding all calls for service into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system
- Dispatches for all fire departments in unincorporated Bexar County for medical and fire responses
- Maintains the location of all Fire Department, Fire Marshal and Office of Emergency Management personnel
- Assigns call requests as a single service (law enforcement or fire/EMS) dispatcher over a two-way radio to law enforcement responders or fire/EMS responders in vicinity to investigate incident or provide assistance
- Responds to requests for information regarding CAD incident numbers, case numbers, arrival times, citizen addresses and other Public Safety Communications information
- Researches law enforcement databases to verify information on individuals, such as driver’s license validity, existence of protective orders, missing person stolen/recovered vehicle, warrants, vehicle registration and criminal history
- Maintains public safety responder location and en route status logs
- Assists training new employees in procedures for dispatching, radio communications, notification of proper personnel, operation of telecommunication equipment, documentation of calls and other related procedures
- What will my training look like?
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Below are a few examples of what your training might look like.
- Week 1: Introduction, Policies, Recording, Website
- Weeks 2-3: Standard operating guidelines, call taking, preparing computer aided dispatch (CAD) incidents, radio monitoring, prepare shift change email
- Weeks 4-6: Call taking, preparing computer aided dispatch (CAD) incidents, Monitoring of and keeping a written or typed log of radio traffic
- Weeks 7-10: Call taking, CAD – Performing all functions, handling radio traffic and dispatching calls for service
- Weeks 11-14: Call taking, CAD – all functions, radio traffic – dispatching calls for service, Texas Criminal Information Center/National Criminal Information Center functions
- Weeks 15-16 (GHOST Phase - Evaluation for release from training): Call taking; CAD – all functions; radio – dispatching all calls for service, answering all radio traffic and responding to radio traffic, Texas Criminal Information Center/National Criminal Information Center functions
- Can I work remotely?
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No, the position of fire communications officer requires you to work out of a secure facility in Bexar County.
- What will my working hours look like?
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With our services being a critical and life-saving resource for Bexar County residents, you will work in a rotating shift assignment that includes nights, weekends, and holidays. 9-1-1 needs to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- What is the starting salary?
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The position of public safety dispatcher has a starting salary of $3,246.00 monthly.
- What benefits does Bexar County offer?
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Bexar County offers employees a competitive salary, retirement, and benefits. Many employee benefits are available to an employee’s spouse/plus one qualifying adult and dependent child(ren). Employee benefits are strategically designed to support an employee and family, and work/life balance.
You’re welcome to review the Benefits Guide for more details.