Emergency Communications Officer

Position: Emergency Communications Officer I
Job Summary
A Communications Officer I is responsible for fast, efficient, and accurate receiving, dispatching, and processing of calls and messages using a multi-line telephone and 911 systems. Employees in this class have successfully completed all training and can function proficiently with the Law Enforcement or EMS radio system. The work is performed under the supervision of a Communications Officer II.

Key Responsibilities

Emergency Dispatch:

Receives, evaluates, and prioritizes requests for emergency and non-emergency service from the public, police and fire agencies, county offices, contract agencies, and other callers
Interviews callers to determine the nature of the emergency, location, and related information to determine the need for dispatching of emergency assistance
Uses computer aided dispatch to enter requests for service, establish priority and track officer-initiated incidents
Maintains telephone contact with callers in evolving situations until the arrival of personnel who take command of the incident
Retrieves and provides information from DMV, NCIC and ILETS to requesting field units
Enters and maintains clear and concise records in ILETS and NCIC
Monitors radio transmissions from field units, law enforcement, emergency and non-emergency agencies to track availability and location and monitor for safety
Retrieves and provides information to requesting agencies on outstanding warrants, protection orders, and related information

Other Duties:

Testifies in court as needed

Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with county and office policies, procedures and safety practices
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Skills and Abilities:

Federal (FCC), county, office, contract agency, and other applicable policies, rules, and regulations
Specialized and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) operating system and multi-line telephone system

County streets and surrounding areas, including geographical layout of contracting cities within the county and other operating districts served by the office
Police and Fire/EMS dispatch procedures

Work cooperatively and constructively with fellow workers and members of the public to provide public service of the highest quality
Enter and retrieve data and information with accuracy and speed
Exercise good judgment in the handling and prioritizing of calls
Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing
Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports
Respond to citizen requests in a courteous and effective manner
Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under stress and the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks

Special Qualifications

Idaho driver's license
Idaho POST certification within one year of hire
Bilingual (Spanish and English) preferred
Must successfully complete a background investigation including a polygraph examination

Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED equivalency and
Some experience and/or training in emergency dispatch, communications, or related field is preferred
Equivalent combination of experience and training may be considered

Essential Physical Abilities

Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions, to listen and respond to radio transmissions and voice instructions; to communicate effectively in person, on the telephone, and over a two-way radio; ability to hear sounds within the normal range of hearing (phone conversations, co-workers, supervisors, radio traffic) and to hear in the presence of noise
Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to review a wide variety of written and electronic materials, distinguish letters and numbers, and to see in detail objects or printed material at greater than arms length
Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate control mechanisms such as radio knobs and other mechanisms requiring fine adjustments to position, to handle a variety of records and files, to type with speed and accuracy, to operate a motor vehicle, and to operate standard office equipment and a personal computer
Sufficient personal mobility, agility, and flexibility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to stand or sit for long periods of time, move between work stations, lift up to 25 pounds, and work in an office environment

Disclaimer
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the primary job responsibilities satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in the job.

This job description…