Employer: City of Chicago Office of Emergency Communications, which provides 911 services to Chicago residents
Salary range for job: $60,000 to $80,000
Time on this job: 4 years
Previous jobs: I was a fire department lieutenant, directing paramedic services and the 911 systems in a Kentucky county.
Age: 33
Education: I attended Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky.
How I got this job: I began my career in the city’s telecommunications department and was promoted to this position.
Why I took this job: I had a strong background in telecommunications and computerized dispatch systems. It also was an exciting opportunity to work on an intricate part of Chicago’s high-tech 911 system.
Main responsibilities: I manage and maintain the computerized dispatch system that receives emergency calls and then dispatches data to all of Chicago’s public safety agencies, including fire and police. It’s a voice and data radio system that connects to over 1,500 portable and mobile terminals that police and fire personnel use to access city, state and federal databases to aid them on the job. I maintain this network, which consists of about 10 hardware and software servers, to ensure it performs at its optimum 24 hours a day. The system uses 1,000 miles of telecommunication cables that consolidate all the emergency services into the one network. I handle all the technical components of the network to ensure everything’s in sync, including the Computer Aided Dispatch system, which displays data, such as incident location, and the Automated Map Display, which holds the phone numbers and location of 911 callers. I also upgrade system software and ensure its smooth transition into the portable terminals.
Best thing about the job: The exposure to cutting-edge technology, and the fact that Chicago is leading the nation in the 911 system. I’ve been in the 911 service for over 18 years (starting with a co-op program in high school), and this is the pinnacle.
Worst thing about the job: There aren’t enough hours in the day.
My ideal next job: I don’t have any desire to leave this occupation.
Advice to job seekers in this field: Be open-minded and flexible. Software and hardware constantly change, so you have to be open and adaptable to change. You also have to be an effective listener.
