Public Safety Telecommunicator

Public Safety Telecommunicator

Public Safety Telecommunicators support the Birmingham public safety agency by receiving emergency and non-emergency telephone and radio messages in a communication center, entering all requests for service into the computer aided dispatch (CAD), and forwarding the information to the Public Safety Dispatcher. Employees in this job class provide information and referrals to citizens for non-emergency calls. Work is performed in a call center setting and employees operate a technological work station to include the simultaneous operation of multiple computer monitors, video monitors, telephones, two-way-radios, etc.

Work is reviewed by the shift supervisor by playing back recorded calls and checking records for accuracy and correctness.

Compensation and benefits include competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more. The pay range for this job varies depending upon the Merit System employing agency. Birmingham: $35,360 - $54,849.

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:

• Experience in a customer service-oriented position (e.g., interacting with people, providing information and/or a service).
• No felony convictions or misdemeanors involving violent offenses or issues of moral turpitude.
• Willing to submit to a general and criminal background check.
• Willing to work an 8- or 12-hour shift on any shift or day (e.g., nights, weekends, holidays) and overtime as needed.

The following are job-related qualifications deemed desirable by Merit System agencies. These qualifications may be considered by a hiring agency when reviewing applications and inviting candidates to participate in subsequent steps in the selection processes:

• Experience as a public safety dispatcher.
• Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification.
• Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) certification.
• Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD) certification.
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.

Job duties include:

• Answers and manages calls to allow effective communication and response of emergency responders (i.e., police, fire, emergency medical services (EMS)) for citizens during emergency situations.
• Provides information and referrals to citizens, public safety personnel, media, etc. by responding to calls involving non-emergency situations.
• Operates technology-based work station that includes multiple video monitors, multiple software programs running simultaneously, a personal computer, phone lines, headsets, and alarm boards in order to receive, forward, and monitor calls for services.
• Completes and maintains information and tracking data pertinent to law enforcement operations.
• Enters information from emergency calls into the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system while simultaneously communicating with caller to gather information regarding the incident and scene.
• Transfers calls to appropriate dispatcher and/or agency (e.g., law enforcement, fire, EMS) and monitors relay of call to ensure incident information has been received.
• Communicates with external agencies (e.g., utility companies, animal control, towing companies) to provide information regarding citizen requests.
• Monitors local geographical conditions such as major street closings, utility company projects, roads and transportation conditions, road construction projects, accidents, traffic delays, etc. and updates dispatchers and emergency responders through computer aided dispatch system (CAD) to keep them informed.

Job is primarily sedentary involving sitting for long periods of time, but may involve occasional walking or standing for brief periods.

Work is conducted almost exclusively indoors in a call center setting. Work involves use of standard office equipment, such as computer, phone, copier, etc. Job requires working holidays, overtime (e.g., in the morning, during lunch, or after normal working hours), and/or nights.

The Person nel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Each Merit System member city/agency operates its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

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