JOB OPENING
Emergency Services Dispatcher
Emergency Services Dispatchers (ESDs) are an integral component of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
Although dispatchers may not typically be considered as a first responder, the dispatchers in the Communications Center at the Sheriff’s Office are without question essential to the successful operation of all first responders in Beaufort County.
The county has five fire departments, four law enforcement agencies and Emergency Medical Services who all depend on the Communications Center for assistance.
Our Communications Center is in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, and the Emergency Services Dispatcher is the first voice someone in need hears when they call for help.
The Communications Center receives more than a half million calls each year, and more than 75 percent of those calls result in one or more emergency service agencies being dispatched to assist.
The calls range from incidents that are minor to serious in nature, including incidents involving serious injury and death.
The ESD must be able to professionally listen to the call, obtain critical information about the incident and dispatch the appropriate emergency responders as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Very often the well-trained dispatcher is able to defuse volatile situations or offer life-saving instructions before help arrives. Thus, in all perspectives, the Emergency Services Dispatcher is truly a first responder.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or be legally permitted to work in the U.S.
- You must possess a valid driver’s license or state-issued identification card.
- You must have a clean criminal history, with no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions. You must have no convictions for any crimes of moral turpitude.
- You must be able to communicate effectively in writing, in person and/or over the telephone and radio.
- You must be able to type a minimum of 35 correct words a minute.
- You must pass all pre-employment testing.
- You must be willing to work any shift to which you are assigned.
- You must be willing to remain on duty when activated for an emergency such as a hurricane.
- There are a minimum of six dispatchers on duty at all times, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, including holidays and weekends.
- The initial training period is between 6 months and 9 months.
- After the first five-week training period, you will be assigned to a shift where you are most needed, whether it be days or nights. Once assigned, you will work 12-hour shifts on what is commonly called a “2-2-3” work schedule.
- Dispatchers are promoted at scheduled intervals during their first five years of employment.
- If you have prior experience as a certified dispatcher, the Sheriff’s Office will recognize your certification, both in rank and pay.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has a highly competitive pay plan.
The minimum starting salary is $19.90 per hour ($41,392 per year) with guaranteed overtime each pay period, as well as additional opportunities for overtime.
Emergency Services Dispatchers are eligible to receive an annual pay increase based on satisfactory performance evaluations.
The Sheriff’s Office offers pay incentives for higher education, prior experience as a certified ESD and for those who can demonstrate fluency in reading, writing and speaking the Spanish language.
Beaufort County offers the following benefits to qualified full-time employees:
- Health, dental and vision insurance (with affordable employee contributions)
- Long-term disability
- Basic life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
- Medical and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Ancillary products through Creative Worksite Solutions, which include:
- Cancer, accidental, critical illness, whole life insurance with a long care term rider
- Employee Assistance Program
- Short-term disability
- 13 paid holidays
- Sick leave
- Paid leave time
- Retirement through the South Carolina Retirement System (peba.sc.gov/scrs)
- Optional participation in South Carolina’s Deferred Compensation Programs, 401(k) and 457(b) / traditional and Roth (peba.sc.gov/deferred-comp)
PHASE ONE: The applicant submits an application packet
PHASE TWO: If approved, the applicant is invited to complete an in-depth background supplement in Guardian.
PHASE THREE: A complete background is conducted, including contacting references and past employers.
PHASE FOUR: If the background is favorable, the applicant is invited to testing applicable to the position for which they applied.
PHASE FIVE: If approved, the applicant goes before an interview board.
PHASE SIX: If approved, the applicant is offered a Conditional Offer of Probationary Employment, and they are scheduled for additional testing. (Additional testing includes a psychological evaluation and a drug screen.)
PHASE SEVEN: Final review by Sheriff’s Office leadership
PHASE EIGHT: If approved, the applicant is offered employment.
Applicants will need to gather the below-listed documents required for the application package. Digital copies of these documents will need to be created. Digital copies can be created by scanning, downloading, or using a cell phone to take pictures of them. Please note that all images must be crisp with no blurry areas and that all information contained on the documents can easily be read.
- A copy of your Birth Certificate (Proof of U.S. Citizenship if not born in the United States)
- A copy of your High School or GED and College Diplomas
- A copy of your Driver’s License
- A copy of your Social Security Card
- A copy of court-issued legal documentation supporting any legal name change (i.e., marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.)
- If you have prior military service, a copy of your DD214 with your separation code and the type of discharge you received
- A certified driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles from all states licensed over the past six years
- If you are a former law enforcement officer, provide all training certificates
Applicants must also download, fill out and print the Personal Inquiry Waiver. This form must be notarized prior to submission.
Ways to submit the Personal Inquiry Waiver:
- Email a notarized digital copy to [email protected]
- Drop off a notarized copy to the Recruitment Office of the Sheriff’s Office located at 2001 Duke Street in Beaufort, South Carolina.
- Mail a notarized copy to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office
NOTE: The Recruitment Office offers free Notary services. If the applicant would like to use this service, the applicant may bring the complete form to the Recruitment Office located at 2001 Duke Street in Beaufort, South Carolina.
If an applicant is not able to complete the application online, it can be downloaded by clicking HERE.
The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
CONTACT US
Staff Sergeant Patrick N. Rowell
Phone: 843-255-3433
Email: [email protected]
The Recruitment Office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office:
2001 Duke St.
Beaufort, S.C. 29902
Mailing address:
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office
ATTN: Staff Sergeant Patrick N. Rowell
P. O. Box 1758
Beaufort, S.C. 29901
