HRECC

EMPLOYMENT

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STEPS OF THE HIRING PROCESS

It is important for the HRECC to recruit, hire and retain the best candidates for this vital link to public safety.  In order to do so the ECC employs a multi-faceted hiring process.

 

The process can take up to 8-12 weeks to complete.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The HRECC wants to help keep your livestock and farmland safe. In the event of an emergency involving livestock or farmland the HRECC is tasked with contacting property owners in order to expedite the process of ensuring the safety of your land and animals.

Step 1: Online Application
Step 2: Personal History Statement
  • Upon receipt of the application the City of Harrisonburg Human Resource staff shall contact the applicant and will forward to them the ECC Personal History Statement along with instructions and a deadline for completing. The candidate will be given a deadline to return this statement to HR. The Human Resource office shall then forward all information to the ECC Operations Manager. If the candidate does not complete the personal history statement by the due date then they will be considered disqualified from the process.
Step 3: Pre-Screening of Applicant
    • Upon receipt of the Personal History Statement, the Operations Manager shall make an initial review. Personnel who show any felony convictions, serious misdemeanor convictions, any conviction within 3 years other than traffic related offenses, any illegal drug use. Failure to disclose information, any criteria for employment that is not met, or any attempts at deception shall be removed from the process and will not be considered for hiring. Candidates who successfully complete this initial review shall then undergo an initial background screening. This screening shall consist of:
    • Division of Motor Vehicles Check to validate that the applicant possess a valid license to drive.
    • Division of Motor Vehicles Driving Record check to ensure that the candidate possesses a driving record that meets the standards as set forth by the City of Harrisonburg.
    • CAD Master Name check
    • ICHRIS check for local wants or warrants and civil papers
    • VCIN/NCIC Criminal History check
    • VCIN/NCIC/Local Wanted Check

    Civil Check

Step 4: Hiring Test
  • Applicants who successfully complete this screening shall be sent a notification inviting them to set for a screening test. This screening test is administered by the management team of the ECC and is designed to test the abilities that applicants have that may make them successful in this field. This test consists of decision making, data entry, data entry with audio, keyboarding, call summarization, memory recall, map reading and reading comprehension. It also tests a candidate’s ability to follow directions. This test is considered pass/fail and any applicant passing 7 of the 8 testing modules shall be considered to advance in the hiring process. Once the test scores are tallied, both passing and failing applicants shall be sent notification to advise them if they will be continuing in the hiring process.
Step 5: Panel Interview
  • Candidates who successfully complete these pre-screening areas will set for a panel interview and this panel will include members of the ECC Administration and Management teams. Applicants will be given a set of predetermined questions to which a 10 point value is attached to each with 10 being the best possible answer and 1 being the worst. This scoring is designed to be uniform but is subjective based upon the candidate’s responses to uniform questions. Each panel member will score the applicant and a final interview score will be derived from this process. The most suited candidate or candidates shall be selected from this part of the process and will move forward in the hiring.
Step 6: Credit Check
  • Applicants must submit for a credit check to determine their status. Questions arising from this check will be posed to the applicant and an explanation of high credit, collections, bankruptcy, garnishments or more must be given by the candidate. The City of Harrisonburg Human Resource Department shall provide the credit check. Candidates who demonstrate a reckless disregard for keeping up with debt may be disqualified from the hiring process at the discretion of the ECC Director.
Step 7: Complete Background Screening
  • The most qualified candidates shall be subject to a complete background check which investigates character, conduct, driving record, drug and alcohol history, habits, environment, previous and current employments, criminal history, references, co-workers, neighbors, landlords, other associates which may not be listed on the application and the validation of information contained on the original application. Background checks shall be conducted by the Operations Manager. The City of Harrisonburg Human Resources staff may conduct back ground checks upon request. Background checks will include a fingerprint exam to verify criminal history record. This is a requirement of the Virginia Crime Information Network certification.
Step 8: Medical Physical
  • The final steps of the process include a drug screening, general medical physical and psychological testing. These tests are administered by industry professionals and all associated costs are paid by the ECC. These tests are used to confirm the final decision of hiring the candidate. The Operations Manager and Human Resources staff shall direct candidates of when and where to complete this testing.
Step 9: Drug Screening
  • The final steps of the process include a drug screening, general medical physical and psychological testing. These tests are administered by industry professionals and all associated costs are paid by the ECC. These tests are used to confirm the final decision of hiring the candidate. The Operations Manager and Human Resources staff shall direct candidates of when and where to complete this testing.
Step 10: Psychological Screening
  • The final steps of the process include a drug screening, general medical physical and psychological testing. These tests are administered by industry professionals and all associated costs are paid by the ECC. These tests are used to confirm the final decision of hiring the candidate. The Operations Manager and Human Resources staff shall direct candidates of when and where to complete this testing.
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Candidates with previous experience in an Emergency Communications Center may be considered for a higher compensation rate.  

 

 

Download the Candidate Information Packet for details

Candidate Information Packet

F.A.Q.

To apply for a position at the HRECC visit harrisonburgva.gov/employment and complete the online application. Additional paperwork will be required once your initial application is received

How do I apply for a position at the HRECC?

To apply for a position at the HRECC visit harrisonburgva.gov/employment and complete the online application. Additional paperwork will be required once your initial application is received

Why is the hiring process for an HRECC position so long?

It is vitally important for the HRECC to hire the best and most qualified candidates for the job. In doing so, a multi-faceted and equitable hiring process is utilized. Steps of the process are time consuming but allow for the best candidates to become a part of our team.

Do I have to learn how to become a Communicator before I apply?

The HRECC provides 100% paid on-the-job-training for the position of Basic Communicator.Your content goes here.

If I have experience in emergency communications will I be paid more?<br />

The HRECC has a competitive salary and candidates are evaluated for a higher starting pay rate based upon years of service in emergency communications. Download the Candidate Information Packet to learn more about salary opportunities based upon experience.

What hours to HRECC Communicators work?

Communicators are assigned to day shift (6:45 AM – 6:45 PM) or night shift (6:45 PM – 6:45 AM). Schedules are made on a 2-week basis and employees work Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday in that 2 week period. It then repeats