Bilingual Communications Specialist Examination

BILINGUAL COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST Examination (OPEN) CS2026-062

Application Open Date: 06/15/2026

Application Close Date: 06/29/2026

SALARY: $42,095.71 - $60,585.41 per year.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application is not for an immediate opening, by submitting an application you are applying to take a Civil Service Examination for the opportunity to be placed on an Eligible List for a future opening. To learn more about the Civil Service examinations and Eligible Lists please visit the Cleveland Civil Service Webpage: FAQs | City of Cleveland Ohio

To determine if you qualify to take the examination you must include/attach any required documents (i.e. Resume, Certifications, Driver’s License, etc…) to support you meet the Minimum Qualifications at the time of submitting your application. Please read the Minimum Qualification section carefully, you may attach PDF or JPEG

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

TYPING TEST: A typing speed of 30 WPM or better is expected. (Pass/Fail)

WRITTEN EXAMINATION: Applicants will answer multiple choice or short answer questions regarding customer service/call center, reading comprehension, and problem solving concepts. (60% of final grade)

PERFORMANCE EXAMINATION: Applicants must be able to translate information into English from a Spanish or Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese) audio recording. (40% of the final grade)

Examples of Duties

Answer emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from citizens, elicit pertinent information, analyze situations to determine problem and make sound decisions as to the appropriate level of response. Have the ability to display compassion and empathy toward callers at all times; utilizing different techniques to calm the caller when needed. Be familiar with the procedures for handling various call types. As needed, assists other employees by acting as an interpreter on calls received from individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Maintain familiarity with the streets and geography of the city and the various agencies available to help those in need. Generate incidents using the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, following proper procedures and assigning each incident an appropriate prioritization level. Contact other public safety entities, city departments and external agencies as needed. Operate the emergency 9-1-1 telephone equipment and the associated software used by the department of public safety. Be familiar with applicable state and municipal ordinances. Handle any other duties as directed by proper authority Answer incoming calls placed to 9-1-1 or non-emergency telephone lines. Determine nature of problem and when appropriate, connect caller to another agency for handling. Generate a computer aided dispatch (CAD) incident for public safety response by entering pertinent information relative to the incident into the computerized dispatch system. Follow procedures, assign each incident the appropriate coding and prioritization. When a response is not needed, make referrals as needed to the caller. Make computer inquiries into the CAD system or other database utilized by the department, as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

High School diploma or GED required. Must be able to type at least 30 words per minute. Must be able to pass a detailed criminal background check, drug test and physical. The Public Safety Communications Center operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Communications Specialists work various schedules which include days, nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime. Employees are restricted to working 16 hours in a 24 hour block of time. 12 Hour Shifts: 0630 -1830 / 1830 - 0630 Working 2 on, 2 off and every other Saturday, Sunday, Monday off Placement on any given shift is based on operational needs and seniority. Must pass any certification testing required to perform the duties of the position and maintain said certifications as required. Certifications include those required to access national, state and local criminal databases (LEADS/NCIC, LERMS) as well as a 40- hour public safety tele communicator course. Instruction in these or any other job specific certifications will be provided as part of employee's training. Must be organized, able to multi-task, remain calm under a great deal of stress and pressure, possess the ability to assess a situation quickly and use good judgment. Must have excellent verbal and written communication and people skills to relay vital information quickly and effectively. Valid State of Ohio driver's license or State ID.

Supplemental Information

Reminder: Minimum qualifications must be met as of the last day of the accepting applications. You must upload these documents at the time of submitting your application or email the documents to ***email_hidden*** and include the Job Title in the email.

RESIDENCY CREDIT

A person who has had as his/her primary residence in the City of Cleveland for at least one year at the time of filing a Civil Service application, and desires to take an entry-level Civil Service examination, shall, if a passing grade on the written examination is attained, have ten (10) points added to his/her passing score. (NOTE: Not all Examinations consider residency credit in the scoring process) To substantiate a claim for residency points, Applicants must UPLOAD LEGIBLE COPIES of the following:

• A signed and notarized Residency Affidavit available on the City’s website here:

https://www.clevelandohio.gov/sites/clevelandohio/files/AffidavitOfResidency0321.pdf

4.40 F – Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD) Preference Credit

An applicant who is a graduate of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) and is participating in an open competitive entrance-level

examination, as determined by the Commission, shall receive an additional five (5) points upon achieving a passing score, as established in the

examination announcement. Applicants must provide acceptable proof of graduation from a CMSD school at the time of application in order to qualify

for this credit.

VETERANS’PREFERENCE

Veterans' preference will be awarded, when applicable, to eligible veterans in accordance with Civil Service Rules 4.40E, 4.40F and 4.40G.Proof of active service or a DD Form 214, must be presented to the Commission at the time of filing application for the examination in which credit is sought in order to qualify for veterans' credit. If the applicant has received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions that applicant shall receive an additional five (5) points added to their raw score on the examination; or ten (10) points are added to their raw score on the examination if applicant’s supporting documentation indicates more than fifteen percent (15%) service connected disability.

NOTE: Only DD Form 214 (long form) or an official armed service document indicating type of discharge or separation and the dates of active service will be accepted as proof of active service.

Reminder: To determine if you qualify to take the examination you must include/attach any required documents (i.e. Resume, Certifications, Driver’s License, etc…) to support you meet the Minimum Qualifications. Please read the Minimum Qualification section carefully, you may attach PDF or JPEG

The City's guiding principles are as follows : Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin/ancestry, military status, disability, age and religion.