Public Safety Communications

The Department’s recruitment and selection process supports the Prince William County Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action plans.

The selection process takes approximately two to three months after the initial application has been received. Applicants must successfully complete the following phases:

• Online application submission
• CritiCall Testing (https://criticall911.com/dispatcher-testing/applicants/)
• Panel interview
• Personal history statement (PHS)
• Conditional offer of employment
• Pre-screen interview
• Polygraph examination
• Background interview and investigation
• Medical and physical examinations
• Psychological examination
• Interview with the Director or designee
• Final approval by the Director

Application Process

We use an online application — rather than a resume — in our employment process for both telecommunicator and professional staff positions. Apply online. Search Telecommunicator. If the position is not open, submit an interest card here https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/pwcgov/jobInterestCards/categories. You will automatically be notified when the position is open.

Eligibility Criteria Guidelines for Selection of Applicants

• Applicants must not intentionally conceal, omit, or intentionally provide false or misleading information related to information sought during any phase of the applicant process.
• Applicants are not required to reveal expunged arrest records, and such cannot be used to disqualify.
• Must not have been convicted of or have pleaded guilty or no contest to any of the following:
  • A felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Virginia.
  • A misdemeanor crime of a serious nature or a crime that indicates a tendency to disregard the law.
  • Any misdemeanor involving violence, fraud, health, morals and decency.
• Must not have committed any undetected crimes of a serious or repetitive nature.
• Must not have any arrest or pattern of arrests that will degrade public confidence in the department.

Employment Drug Policy

The Prince William County Department of Public Safety Communications maintains the following standards from date of application:

Illegal Drugs (drugs never prescribed for any legitimate medical purpose):

• No use within three (3) years preceding the date of application.
• Must not have sold, distributed, or manufactured any illegal drug or controlled substance without legal authorization.

Prescription Drugs/Legally Obtained Substances:

• No non-prescribed/unauthorized use from the date of application, including, Adderall, Xanax, etc.
• Must not have sold, distributed, or manufactured any prescription drug without legal authorization.

Anabolic Steroids:

• No non-prescribed/unauthorized use from the date of application.
• Must not have sold, distributed, or manufactured any prescription drugs without legal authorization.

Traffic Offenses

• Must not possess a driving record that reflects irresponsible driving behavior.
• Must not have more than eleven (11) negative points against the applicant’s driver’s license at the time of hire.
• Must not have a conviction for DUI or a DUI-related conviction within two (2) years preceding the date of application.
• Must not have a conviction for being Intoxicated in Public (IIP) or an IIP-related conviction or be ordered by a judge to obtain counseling for an alcohol related issue within one (1) year preceding the date of application.

Character 

• Must be of sound character as measured by qualities such as loyalty, responsibility, ability to function under stress, control of anger, maturity, and honesty.
• Abnormal traits of flaws in character will be identified based on psychological testing, polygraph testing and background investigation.
• Applicants must not demonstrate a history of immoral or biased behavior online or with social media.
• Must meet established medical, psychological, and physical requirements.