Florida State Hospital Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 878930 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: RADIO-TELETYPE OPERATOR - 60007216

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60007216 

Salary:  $34,760.00 - $44,994.32 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 08/28/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders.

Florida State Hospital (FSH) is a mental health treatment facility owned and operated by the State of Florida and is part of the Department of Children and Families. The department’s mission is to “work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.”

FLORIDA STATE HOSPITAL IS A TOBACCO FREE FACILITY.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES WORKING A ROTATING SHIFT AND IS SUBJECT TO CALL BACK OR WORK EXTENDED HOURS DURING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as a Radio-Teletype Operator within Emergency Services. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who works seamlessly across all sections within the program office. This role requires the use of independent judgment, a proactive approach to responsibilities, and exceptional attention to detail. If you are driven, organized, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Duties of this position require the incumbent to be knowledgeable of and utilize the principles of Total Quality Management. It is recommended that the applicant for this position have emergency dispatch experience.
• This position is located in the Fire Department serving as the Central Dispatcher center for both Security and Fire Department, including any other related Emergency services. The primary function of this position is to receive and dispatch information concerning potential emergencies at FSH which require the services of the Security and/or Fire/Medical response team to include alarms, assistance calls, Fire and medical emergency calls. This position is also responsible for the Centralized Communications System for Florida State Hospital and the afterhours notification of key personnel. Detailed guidance for the completion of the specific day to day duties of this dispatcher. The person(s) assuming the duty of this position is expected to read and be familiar with the guidelines set forth in this post order.
• Receives incoming calls through the switchboard and emergency multi-line phone systems for Fire and Security, or other emergency type requests. Obtains pertinent information related to requests for assistance for Security or Fire staff and dispatches the applicable personnel based on the nature of the request. When indicated, dispatch secondary units for support or backup and ensure appropriate key personnel in the security/fire department are notified, in addition to key administrative personnel. In accordance with FCC rules and regulations, transmit accurate and concise service delivery information to the appropriate staff and maintains a record of the radio transmissions, including the person(s) calling/being called, the time of the transmission and the nature of the transmission. All transmissions relating to the delivery of fire and security services or related to emergencies at Florida State hospital will be included in the documentation. Additionally maintains an accurate activity log in relation to the calls being received or completed in relation to fire, security or related emergency services, including time of call, person calling, pertinent information about the specific call and what action(s) taken. As needed, document any additional calls which effect the service delivery goals of FSH.
• As the primary hospital operator for the centralized telephone system, receives non-emergency calls concerning facility related service delivery, including admission and discharge information, resident/relative information, personnel inquiries, etc. Based on the type of request, direct the caller to the appropriate location, provide other related guidance direction to the caller or handle the request of the caller to resolve the issue. Direct unresolved calls to higher ranking personnel, either within the Security / Fire department or throughout the hospital. Inherent in the duties of the centralized phone operator are the responsibilities to receive messages concerning attempts to contact key personnel within the hospital and receive audible alarm notifications. Upon receipt of either, complete the necessary notification by pager, phone calls or dispatching officers, etc. and document the actions on the applicable forms.
• Monitors video and audio recorders and alarms systems located in the control room area related to Fire and Security systems. Notify the appropriate officers or personnel when breeches are indicated and document the information on the Daily Activity log, including information concerning time of alarm, unit(s) dispatched, arrival time and pertinent information relayed back from officer(s) on the scene.
• Performs miscellaneous clerical duties (typing/filing) related to the maintenance of information critical to the delivery of services within the hospital, including resident identification information, operating procedures/policy maintenance, miscellaneous reports and logs. Maintains inventory control of items issued from the Control Room, including keys, radio equipment, etc. and issues items only to authorized personnel. Additionally, maintains quality control of the area by limited staff presence to only those staff authorized and required to be present in the completion of their duties. Promptly notifies the supervisor of problems, or unresolved issued related to the completion of any tasks or responsibilities designated to the Radio-teletype operator.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position:

• Knowledge of appropriate ways of dealing with individuals in crisis situations. 
• Knowledge of the methods and procedures of operating radio transmitting and receiving equipment, muti-line phone systems.
• Knowledge of techniques of effective telephone communications.   
• Skilled in the operation of  complex multi-line phone systems.
• Skilled in basic typing and the use of computer systems. 
• Skilled in the operation of radio transmitting and receiving equipment. 
• Ability to discriminate between emergency and non-emergency calls. 
• Ability to prioritize calls in stressful situations. 
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.  
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments. 
• Ability to work without close supervision and to make independent decisions. 
• Ability to effectively communicate in stressful conditions.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a quick, courteous and efficient manner.

Minimum Qualifications:

• One year experience in utilizing radio communication equipment to answer multiple phone lines, handle emergency situations and route calls for assistance.
• High School Diploma or equivalent

Candidate Profile (application) Requirements:

• Any and all Florida University jobs
• All periods of employment
• Periods of unemployment
• Gaps 3 months or more*
• Education
• Volunteer Experience
• Include supervisor names and phone numbers including current place of employment.
• *Gaps 3 months or more must be addressed – you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
• If claiming Right to First Interview, candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions.

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

• Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits.
• For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS).  Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire.  For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.

RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.  Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.