Employment Opportunities

Putnam County 911is accepting applications for part-time Dispatchers. Any open full-time positions are hired from existing part-time employees.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED. Before hire, applicants must submit to and pass a pre-hire drug screening and background check.

We actively desire to recruit highly motivated and dependable personnel who can work in a fluid environment and adapt according to the situation. If you are interested, please apply here.

Starting Pay: $16.00/hr while in the training phase, $18.00/hr upon successful completion of training phase

Application window will remain open until positions are filled.

Job Description:

1.  Promptly answer all incoming calls for service. One ring is the standard.

2.  Handle all radio traffic concerning the departments they are responsible for

3.  Coordinate radio traffic on State EMS and hospital frequencies in our agency’s capacity as a State Regional Medical Communications Center (RMCC).

4. Determine the appropriate response for each situation and dispatch units accordingly.

5. Maintain accurate records of communications as required by Putnam County 911, Tennessee Emergency Communications Board, EMS, EMA, Fire, Rescue, and the Federal Communications Commission.

6. Maintain a thorough knowledge of Putnam County and the surrounding region regarding civil boundaries and jurisdiction, geography, and available resources.

7. Be proficient at map reading, as well as taking and giving directions.

8. Use good judgment and make sound decisions quickly under stressful conditions.

9.  Be responsible for maintaining the work area in an orderly manner.

10. Promptly report to their supervisor any malfunction of equipment that cannot immediately be resolved by the on-duty dispatchers.  

11. Perform other duties as instructed by the Director, Assistant Director, or their designee.

12. Always act in a professional manner and do not act or speak in a manner that might reflect negatively on Putnam County 911.

Qualifications / Requirements:

•  Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
•  Possess a high school diploma or GED.
•  Maintain required certifications / licenses deemed necessary by Putnam County 911.
  • This includes:
    • Current Driver’s License
    • APCO PST
    • APCO EMD
    • APCO FSC
    • BLS CPR
    • Missing Kids Training
    • FEMA IS100, IS200, IS700, and IS800
•  Submit copies of current certifications / licenses to Vairkko.
•  Never have been convicted of a felony or crime of moral turpitude.          
•  Submit to, and pass, random, unannounced drug screenings.
•  Be within 30 minutes of Communications Center during designated on-call times.
•  Have a clear, distinct voice on the telephone and radio.
•  Be able to function as a team member with other on-duty dispatchers.
•  All employees of Putnam County 911 are employees of Putnam County and are expected to follow all policies    set forth by the employee handbook and Putnam County 911 administration.

Position Title: Heavy Equipment Operator-Non-Exempt

Salary beginning at $43,000 annually 

Summary of Essential Functions of Job:

This position includes but is not limited to the operation of various heavy equipment in a safe, effective and productive manner. This position is required to perform daily safety and maintenance checks, clean the heavy equipment as scheduled and/or required and ensure heavy equipment is safely and securely stored in compliance with legislation, policies and procedures. The heavy equipment operator must maintain inventory such as fuel supply, fluids, etc. The Heavy Equipment Operator must minimize the risk of injury, property damage or loss of life to the greatest extent possible, and must always practice workplace safety.

Specific Minimum Requirements:

Proficiency in heavy equipment operation and maintenance

Ability to follow all safety policies and procedures

Ability to deal with the public and co-workers in a courteous and respectful manner

4 years of previous experience

Must have a valid Tennessee Driver’s License

Physical Requirements:

This job is classified as heavy duty lifting up to 100 pounds frequently up to shoulder level and up to 60 pounds frequently overhead. This job classification includes the lesser classifications of medium, light and sedentary.

This position requires the use of motor coordination with finger dexterity most of the work day.

Constant (5-8 hours per 8 hour shift): lifting, bending, twisting, reaching, climbing, loading and unloading repetitive motions

Frequent (3-8 hours per 8 hour shift): standing, walking, sitting

Occasional (1-3 hours per 8 hour shift): overhead work

Lifting: Must be able to lift up to 100 pounds frequently

Environment: Requires both indoor and outdoor work in all seasons; frequent exposure to various chemicals

Equipment: Wheel loader, backhoe, tractor trailer, forklift and skid steer

This position consists of, but not limited to, operating heavy equipment in a safe and effective manner in order to minimize the risk of injury, property damage or loss of life. The Heavy Equipment Operator must also clean, maintain and secure all equipment as directed by legislation, policies and procedures. The Heavy Equipment Operator must deal with residents and members of the public in a courteous and respectful manner.

The Heavy Equipment Operator must perform daily safety and maintenance checks, lubrication, clean heavy equipment as scheduled and/or required and ensure heavy equipment is safely and securely stored. The Heavy Equipment Operator must always practice workplace safety. The Heavy Equipment Operator must also maintain inventory such as fuel supply and fluids, etc.

The Heavy Equipment Operator must demonstrate the following personal attributes:

1 Integrity

2 Be respectful

3 Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity

4 Be flexible

5 demonstrate sound work ethics and deal with the public and co-workers in a positive, courteous

and respectful manner

6 Communication

7 Initiative

8 Teamwork

This position reports to the Director, Assistant Director, and/or Operations Manager.

By signing this job description, I understand what is expected of my position with Putnam County Solid Waste Department.

Name________________________________ Date_____________________

Witness______________________________ Date_____________________

Putnam County, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American’s with Disabilities Act, the county will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Job Title: Lifeguard

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Putnam County Parks and Recreation 
Department’s in providing dedicated, courteous, and respectful service to enhance the 
quality of life for community residents, workers, and visitors.
The primary duties of a pool lifeguard are prevention, enforcing pool rules, 
responding to emergencies and diligently applying specialized observation techniques.
A Lifeguard at Putnam County Parks and Recreation Department creates a safe and 
positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals while promoting and 
maintaining safe swimming conditions in the pool, deck and surrounding areas in 
accordance with the department’s policies and procedures. 
This position is a seasonal position with the season running May through September.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Maintains active surveillance of the pool area to prevent drowning and other 
aquatic injuries.
2. Responds to emergency situations immediately in accordance with Putnam County 
Parks and Recreation’s policies, procedures; completes related reports as required.
3. Responds to challenges with possible solutions in a timely manner.
4. Knows, understands, and consistently applies safety rules, policies, and guidelines 
for the pool and aquatic area.
5. Remains calm and objective when under pressure or when challenged by others.
6. Performs all secondary duties in a timely manner as required for each shift.
7. Performs all lifeguard duties, including ability to lift people out of pool, perform 
CPR, use AED, scan pool to ensure safety of participants.
8. Maintains accurate records as required by the Putnam County Parks and Recreation 
Department and/or the state health department code.
9. Performs equipment checks and ensures appropriate equipment is available as 
needed.
10. Checks the pool for hazardous conditions when arriving and for the duration of the 
shift.
11. Performs chemical testing when not guarding, as required, and takes appropriate 
action.
12. Attends Staff meetings and trainings as scheduled.
NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS:
· Prefer lifeguards 18 years of age and older; minimum age of 15
· Certifications: Red Cross Professional Lifeguard or equivalent (must include 
CPR/AED, First Aid)
· Ability to maintain certification-level physical and mental readiness
· Must demonstrate lifeguard skills in accordance with standard

Please contact Debbie Parker at debbie.parker@putnamcountytn.gov with questions 
concerning these positions.

Putnam County Fire Department

Qualifications: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Tennessee Driver’s License. Must be a legal resident of Putnam County or possess a waiver approved by the Fire Chief. Applicants will be required to complete a 16 hour Introduction to Fire and Emergency Services course in-house upon acceptance to the fire department. Upon completion of the 16 hour Introduction course, applicants must pass the department’s physical agility test, a pre-employment drug screening, and a background check before actively performing in fire department functions. Within one year of completing the Introduction to Fire and Emergency Services course, applicants will be required to complete a 64 hour Basic Firefighting course in-house and a weekend Live Burn class at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy. Volunteer Firefighters are also required to complete 40 hours of training annually with the Putnam County Fire Department.

Job Summary: Examples of work performed but not limited to: control and extinguish fires, perform forcible entry, search and rescue, respond to hazardous materials incidents, respond to alarms, perform station and equipment maintenance, participate in fire prevention and training activities, perform equipment checks and upkeep tasks, keep all equipment in a state of readiness, participate in pre-fire planning, maintain and flow fire hydrants, make public presentations or conduct station tours on occasion, use a computer to enter data and generate reports, and perform related duties as required.

Essential Functions: Physical strength and ability to perform heavy labor and strenuous work for extended periods of time under extremely dangerous and uncomfortable conditions while wearing provided protective gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus, weighing in excess of sixty pounds or more. Must be able to lift up to one hundred pounds frequently, pull and drag hose, and force entry. Perform ventilation, climb ladders, work from heights, and perform rescues. Endure heat, cold, smoke, and exposure to hazardous materials. Requires fast response or reaction time, good hand-eye coordination to operate equipment and a good personality to interact with fellow personnel and the public.

Deadline for Applications: The Putnam County Fire Department is always accepting applications for Volunteer Firefighters. Once an application is submitted, it will be kept on file until a 16 hour Introduction to Fire and Emergency Services course is scheduled for PCFD. Introduction to Fire and Emergency Services classes are scheduled every three to six months at the Putnam County Fire Department based on the number of applications on file and other various factors.

Submit Applications to:

Putnam County Fire Department

700 County Services Dr

Cookeville, TN 38501

Questions Relating to this Position Should be Addressed to:

Chief Jeff Hicks or Assistant Chief Coty Nash  PCFD non-emergency phone number: (931) 528-1200

Putnam County is an equal opportunity employer.