Chattooga County E911 is once again looking for someone interested in a career in public safety, with the agency announcing that it currently has one 12-hour shift position available.

The position offers paid training, benefits and a starting wage of $16 per hour, with pay increasing to $18 per hour within the first year.

No previous dispatching experience is required. Chattooga County pays for the training and certifications employees need for the job, including Georgia state certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch certification, Georgia Crime Information Center certification and CPR certification.

Dispatchers work 12-hour shifts on a rotating schedule, generally working two days on and two days off. The schedule provides three full days off every other weekend and also results in eight hours of built-in overtime pay during alternating pay periods.

Employees participating in the on-call rotation also receive a $140 guaranteed on-call bonus per pay period during their rotation.

New dispatchers must complete required state training, including a one-week course at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. Lodging on campus is provided at no cost, mileage is reimbursed at 60 cents per mile and meals can be reimbursed up to $25 per day.

Benefits include a 401(k) retirement plan, $30,000 in employer-paid life insurance, health benefits and accruing paid leave.

The job requires employees to be prepared for the demands of emergency communications, including handling a heavy volume of telephone calls and radio traffic, communicating with people who may be frightened, angry or emotionally upset, and making quick decisions that can directly affect an emergency response.

Employees must also be willing to work nights, weekends and holidays, work mandatory overtime when required and cover shifts on short notice.

E911 dispatchers serve as the communications link between residents and the law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and other first responders sent to help them. The center operates around the clock, providing emergency communications services throughout Chattooga County.

Chattooga County E911 announced this week that one position remains available.

Anyone interested in the opening can call 706-857-3400 and select option 1 or option 2 for more information. Applications are also available through the Chattooga County E911 section of the county’s website.