Telecommunicator I - Experienced

Position Overview

METCAD 9-1-1 of Champaign County, Illinois, is continuously hiring for Experienced Telecommunicator I in a multi-discipline, multi-jurisdictional communications center. Watch this video to see how you can make a difference today. To be considered for this Experienced Telecommunicator position, candidates must have a minimum of two years of experience in a multi-jurisdictional, multi-discipline emergency communications center within the last five years. (See full list of requirements below.).

Job Responsibilities

This position performs emergency and non-emergency telephone and two-way radio communication work for police, fire, and EMS services and related work as required. Candidates are required to complete the following steps to be considered for the position:

• Apply through this posting.

• METCAD Hiring Manager will contact you directly to confirm eligibility and hiring process steps below.

• Complete Testing through National Testing Network (NTN). Note: testing fees waived for applicants meeting Experienced Telecommunicator I requirements.

• E-Comm National Exam with passing scores of: Call Taker/53, Notes/64, Dispatch/43.

• Typing Test (35 words per minute with at least 90% accuracy, based on the Adjusted Words Per Minute score).

• Computer Simulations

• Sign and upload Attestation form to NTN account

Candidates successfully passing the steps above will then be invited to move through the remainder of the hiring process which may include:

• Attendance at an Informational Session that outlines details of the position.

• In-person interviews.

• Reference and background checks, including a fingerprint-based criminal history check.

• Job preview sit along with a current Telecommunicator.

• Contingent offer of employment.

• Drug screening, hearing test, and psychological evaluation.

• Confirmed offer of employment.

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience (full-time, continuous basis in multi-jurisdictional center, within last 5 years).

• Completed training program in most recent center.

• Completed probationary period in most recent center.

• Must be 18 years or older by date of hire.

• U.S. Citizen, or legally authorized to work in the United States (must meet I-9 requirements).

• High School diploma, or equivalent.

• Ability to work shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

• Ability to solve problems and provide excellent customer service in stressful situations.

• Ability to acquire mandated certifications (i.e. Law Enforcement Agency Data Systems, Emergency Medical Dispatch, National Incident Management Systems). during the training phase.

Starting salary range is $32.96 to $36.39 per hour, DOQ. Employees may qualify for salary increases based on performance and/or longevity

Other Information

Contact the Human Resources Department at (217) 403-8770 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process. The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.

The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The City of Champaign's mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community. The following values guide our work: Personal Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Teamwork, Results. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Learn more about the city's mission and values at https://champaignil.gov/city-managers-office

Employer

City of Champaign

Address

102 North Neil St.
Floor 1
Champaign, Illinois, 61820

Phone

(217) 403-8770

Website

http://www.champaignil.gov

This position is covered under the City of Champaign American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Bargaining Unit labor agreement. This information is current as of February 12, 2026.

HEALTH INSURANCE

The City of Champaign offers a robust PPO Select Network plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois with a $500 individual and $1,000 family deductible. The plan covers nearly 98% of providers and facilities across the State of Illinois and grants access to providers nation-wide through Blue Cross Blue Shield. The City of Champaign pays up to $606.10 of the employee (single) health insurance premium and 50 percent of the dependent premium for continuous full-time employees. Premiums for single employee coverage above $606.10 per month are shared by the employee and the City. For the 2026/2027 plan year, AFSCME employees contribute 1.7719% of salary towards employee only health care. Premiums may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City’s Section 125 plan. Health insurance coverage begins on the date of hire and ends on the employee’s last day of work at the City.

Health Insurance Premiums PPO (2026-27 Plan Year)

Type of Coverage

City Pays (per month)

Employee Pays (per month)

Employee Only

$606.10 + City share of premium above $606.10

1.7719% of salary

Spouse

$644.00

$644.00

Children (one or more)

$399.50

$399.50

Family (spouse and children)

$690.50

$690.50

DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE

Employees may purchase dental and/or vision insurance through payroll deduction. Employees pay 100 percent of the monthly premium for this coverage. Premiums for dental and vision insurance may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City’s Section 125 plan. Dental and vision insurance begins after waiting for one complete calendar month (e.g., if hire date is in the month of January, coverage begins on March 1st).

The dental plan has two options: Delta Dental Network Low Plan (PPO) and Delta Dental High Plan.

Dental Premiums

Type of Coverage

Low Monthly Premium

High Monthly Premium

Employee Only

$25.54

$ 44.50

Employee/Spouse

$52.57

$ 91.60

Employee/Children

$60.01

$102.82

Family

$95.76

$163.08

Vision insurance is provided by EyeMed.

Vision Premiums

Type of Coverage

Monthly Premium

Employee Only

$ 7.34

Employee/One Dependent

$13.94

Family

$20.48

LIFE INSURANCE

The City provides a $20,000 term life insurance policy through The Hartford. Premiums are paid by the City. Employees may elect to purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for themselves up to 5x their annual salary or $500,000 (whichever is lower), through payroll deduction. Employees may also purchase term life for their spouses/dependents.

• Employee voluntary supplemental life insurance coverage can be purchased in $10,000 increments and the price is calculated based on the employee's age.
• Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their spouses up to half the amount purchased for themselves in $5,000 increments. Cost is calculated based on the employee's age.
• Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their dependent children in the amount of $10,000 for any/all eligible children.
• Employees may purchase Basic Life Insurance for their spouse and eligible dependent children.
  • Option #1: $3.60/month for $10,000 for spouse and $5,000 for any/all eligible children.
  • Option #2: $1.80/month for $5,000 for spouse and $2,000 for any/all eligible children.

SICK LEAVE

Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 3.69 hours per pay period (approximately 1 day per month), subject to labor contract provisions.

VACATION

Vacation accrual rates are based on years of service. Employees are eligible to take vacation after six months of employment. Requests for leave to be taken during the initial six months of employment must be

approved by the employee’s supervisor and may be permitted through a combination of personal leave, unpaid leave, flex time, and/or compensatory time.

Vacation accrual rates and maximum accumulations are:

Years of Service

Biweekly Accrual/Year

Max Accumulation

Through the 4th year

4.00 hours/13 days

200 hours/25 days

Beginning 5th year

4.15 hours/13.5 days

220 hours/27.5 days

Beginning 6th year

4.62 hours/15 days

240 hours/30 days

Beginning 7th year

5.08 hours/16.5 days

260 hours/32.5 days

Beginning 8th year

5.54 hours/18 days

280 hours/35 days

Beginning 12th year

6.00 hours/19.5 days

312 hours/39 days

Beginning 15th year

6.15 hours/20 days

312 hours/39 days

Beginning 20th year

6.77 hours/22 days

320 hours/40 days

Beginning 25th year

7.69 hours/25 days

400 hours/50 days

PERSONAL LEAVE

At the beginning of each fiscal year, employees are credited with three personal days (24 hours). Personal leave may not be accumulated and carried over into the next fiscal year (July 1st). Personal leave during the first year of employment varies based on the date of employment.

Date of Hire

Personal Leave Credits

7/1 - 10/31

24 hours

11/1 - 2/29

16 hours

3/1 - 6/30

8 hours

HOLIDAYS

New Year’s Day

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday

Memorial Day

Juneteenth

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

Employees may be required to work on holiday(s). Those employees receive additional compensation or time off.

PENSION

Illinois state law requires that eligible municipal employees be covered by the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Employee contributions to IMRF are 4.5 percent of salary and are tax-deferred. For 2026,

the City contributes 7.97 percent of eligible employee’s salaries to IMRF. In addition, IMRF members are covered by Social Security (FICA). Obtain additional information by contacting IMRF at 1-800-ASK-IMRF. Employees are eligible to contribute additional funds to IMRF through Voluntary Additional Contributions.

Per IMRF Guidelines, all “unused, unpaid sick leave” goes towards IMRF service credit for employees who retire from the City and whose effective date of their pension is within 60 days of their retirement. You will earn one month of service credit for every 20 days of unused, unpaid sick leave at the time of retirement. Employees with 1-20 days of unused, unpaid sick leave receive one (1) month of additional service credit, employees with 21-40 days of unused, unpaid sick leave will receive two (2) months, etc. If you have any questions regarding this, you can reach out to the Human Resources Department or IMRF directly.

RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (RHS)

A retirement health savings plan administered by the Mission Square Retirement Corporation has been established for AFSCME employees. AFSCME employees participate in the plan at separation or retirement of employment by contributing a portion of sick, vacation, and comp time leave balances. Threshold leave balance amounts are applicable. This account is available for use by the employee at retirement or separation of service. Eligible uses of the funds include medical expenses such as health insurance premiums, dental/vision expenses, coinsurance, and co-pays for employees, spouse, and/or dependents.

LONGEVITY PAY

Employees receive longevity pay based upon their years of continuous employment with the City. Longevity pay is an addition to the employees’ base wage rate, as follows:

Years of Service

Longevity Rate

5 years

2.5 percent

10 years

5.0 percent

15 years

7.5 percent

20 years

10.0 percent

25 years

12.5 percent

DEFFERED COMPENSATION PLAN

The City of Champaign offers employees the opportunity to participate in a tax-deferred annuity plan and/or Roth plan of the Mission Square Retirement Corporation through payroll deduction. This is an optional plan with no City contributions. More information may be obtained by contacting Client Services (1-800-669-7400) or Human Resources at 217-403-8770.

RESIDENCY INCENTIVE REIMBURSEMENT

The City offers a Residency Incentive Reimbursement of $2,500 to AFSCME employees who establish residency or relocate within the City of Champaign (or Champaign County for METCAD employees). Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Department. NOTE: not all Champaign addresses are within the municipal limits of the City of Champaign. Applicants for the Residency Incentive may check whether an address is within the city limits using the Maps function on the City of Champaign’s website under the IT Department.

UNION DUES

The AFSCME union establishes regularly monthly dues which are collected by the City through payroll deduction on behalf of the union. Dues are currently $60.18.

CONTRACT

View the current American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Bargaining Unit contract at champaignil.gov/hr/jobs/bargaining-units.