emergency communications officer - Hanover - Hanover County, VA

Description

Salary: $52, $65,000.00 Annually
Location : Hanover, VA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Communications
Opening Date: 02/13/2026
Closing Date: 4/3/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
WE ARE TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR OUR SPRING IN-HOUSE ACADEMY THAT WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 3, 2026.
The Hanover County Emergency Communications Team is recruiting for new team members. Our team of dedicated communications officers serve as the first line of communication for community members in need. We are the link between the citizens and the public safety community. We dispatch Sheriff, Fire/EMS, and Animal Control to provide aide in both emergency and non-emergency situations.
Qualified candidates who apply online will be contacted directly to schedule an orientation/informational session, at which time applicants will be given the option of either an in-person testing time or will be sent information to complete the CRITICALL testing online.
After successful completion of the CRITICALL test, selected candidates will be required to complete an online Assessment; attend an panel interview session; and complete a full background investigation conducted by the Hanover Sheriff's Office.
For additional questions, please contact Charlie Udriet, Deputy Director, , or by emailing
General Description: This is a technical position. The incumbent performs complex tasks in the operation of the County 911 system.
Organization: The Emergency Communications Officer position is part of Hanover County's Career Development Program (CD). The Emergency Communications Officer Ladder has four levels ranging from Emergency Communications Officer First Class to Emergency Communications Officer - Career. Incumbents report to an Emergency Communications Supervisor and supervise no staff. However, Senior Emergency Communications Officers - Master and Career may serve as workflow leaders to lower-level Officers.
Essential Functions:

• Answers emergency and service-related calls.

• Monitors alarms, security systems and radio traffic, responding as needed.

• Operates radio consoles, prioritizing and dispatching calls for service.

• Enters emergency and service-related data into the Computer Aided
Dispatch (CAD) System.

• Tracks unit activity in the CAD System.

• Operates VCIN/NCIC terminals.

• Researches computerized data and information.

• Plays back digital recordings.

• Completes logs and other documentation related to 911 activities.

• Perform related work as assigned
Working Conditions:
A. Hazard

• Customers - Contact with customers in difficult situations

• Conditions - Noisy and stressful work environment
B. Environment

• Office
C. Physical Effort

• Boxes of Paper - May be able to lift up to twenty (20) pounds
D. Non-exempt
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Must be able to read, hear and speak the English language. Must be able to perform multiple tasks concurrently. Ability to communicate with callers using a TDD, desired. Ability to monitor traffic and handle messages over the North Anna Insta-phone Network, desired. Knowledge of the geographical layout of Hanover County and the ability to read maps and to provide directions, preferred. Ability to analyze situations and react swiftly and rationally in high stress situations.
Education, Experience and Training: High school diploma or equivalent, required. Higher levels on the Career Ladder require experience and additional training. Related experience desired as follows: 1 year @ First Class level, 2-3 years @ Senior level, and 3-5 years Master level. Any equivalent combination of education, experience and/or training sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities is acceptable.
Special Conditions:

• Must be at least eighteen (18) years old

• U. S. Citizen

• Complete Criminal Background Investigation

• Twelve-month probationary period

• Work beyond normal work schedule

• Shift Work, including weekends, holidays and nights

• Pre-employment Physical Examination/Drug Test/Audiometric and
repeated regularly thereafter

• Pre-employment CRITICALL Test

• Essential staff designation

• Must wear uniform
Special Instructions to Applicants
If selected for this position, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A COPY OF YOUR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA - COLLEGE DEGREE AND CERTIFICATIONS.
Qualifications:
18 YOA
HS GRAD or EQUIVALENT
US CITIZEN
PASS CRITICALL TESTING AND COMPLETE AN ASSESSMENT
ORAL INTERVIEW PANEL RECOMMENDATION
SUCCESSFUL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION RECOMMENDATION - TO INCLUDE:
NO FELONY CONVICTIONS OR HABITUAL MISDEAMNOR CONVICTIONS
GOOD CHARACTER AND REPUTATION
PASS PHYSICAL/DRUG TEST
SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Hanover County is proud to provide our employees with the following comprehensive benefits package. Hanover provides a benefit package that provides for you in times of need, they offer an ongoing level of financial security, peace-of-mind, and healthy work-life balance. This is part of our goal to make Hanover County an attractive place to work. To see exactly what you will find with our offerings, click the link below:This is an overview and does not provide all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents, the plan documents will prevail. The Pamunkey Regional Jail and Library share some of the County benefits, please visit their website for more details.
01
Please describe your interest in this position and what aspects of this job most appeal to you.
02
Do you object to wearing a uniform?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you object to working rotating shifts?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you object to working holidays?

• Yes
• No

05
Do you object to working nights or weekends?

• Yes
• No

06
Do you object to taking a physical and drug screening test?

• Yes
• No

07
Do you have the ability to read, write and understand the English language?

• Yes
• No

08
Do you have any experience working in an enhanced 9-1-1 emergency communications center?

• Yes
• No

09
Do you have experience in high speed data entry?

• Yes
• No

10
Do you consider yourself computer literate?

• Yes
• No

11
Emergency communications is a rewarding and exciting career, however this position requires you to sit for long periods of time, restricts your movements to a 6 ft. radius, and you may have to wait and/or ask for breaks. Is this an environment in which you are interested in working?

• Yes
• No

12
Do you have any of the following certifications: DCJS, NCIC/VCIN or ProQA (EMD,EFD,EPD)?

• Yes
• No

13
Do you have any of the following certifications: CPR, EMT, CTO or TTD/TTY?

• Yes
• No

14
Do you hold any other license or certification? If so please list.