Public Safety Telecommunicator - Trainee

The purpose of this classification is to receive and respond to calls coming into the County’s emergency 911 communication system. This is an entry‑level, trainee position. A Public Safety Telecommunicator’s work is expected to progress along a continuum of responsibility beginning with participation in an in‑house training program and ending with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of a Public Safety Telecommunicator, Senior, in a fully competent, responsible, and independent manner.

All work is performed under close supervision of senior officers. Some essential functions require completion of certification or training modules.

• Participates in in‑house training and attends training courses as assigned to learn the basics of emergency communications as well as policies and procedures pertaining to local operations; studies manuals, policies, and other materials; shadows senior officers to observe work and learn processes; and demonstrates proficiencies and understanding of training modules and work components as required.
• Receives calls on the County’s emergency 911 system, including emergency TDD calls and language lines: obtains information from callers; works to keep caller calm; maintains conversation with caller to obtain/verify pertinent information, to administer pre‑arrival instructions in accordance with Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) guidelines, and to provide comfort until assistance arrives; re‑establishes calls on 911 hang‑ups; monitors status of response; confirms address of incident and references the MSAG and maps;
  
  and contacts wrecker services and utility companies as needed.
• Receives non‑emergency calls: provides information, answers questions, takes messages, and/or transfers/connects calls to appropriate staff, department, extension, service, or agency; provides the general public with directions/referrals, answers to citizen complaints/concerns, and other information requested regarding the community or situation.
• Logs incoming calls and dispatch information into an automated system; utilizes Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and CAD terminals; enters information pertinent to incoming calls, dispatched agencies, response time and actions taken; modifies, locates, maintains, saves, and/or clears files/records within database; and records information manually into appropriate logs when computer is out of service.
• Contacts various other departments to resolve problems such as malfunctioning streetlights, downed street signs, road hazards, water/gas line breaks, roadway debris, or power outages.
• Monitors multiple radio frequencies and cameras while answering/processing telephone calls or other radio frequencies and responding to in‑person requests for services or records; monitors alarm systems at specific locations.
• Assists other jurisdictions as requested; contacts Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), Georgia State Patrol (GSP), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Family & Children’s Services (DFACS), Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), and/or surrounding law enforcement agencies for assistance when needed.
• Handles inquiries on driver’s licenses (OLNs), vehicle identification numbers/tags, warrants/summons, stolen articles/property, wanted/missing persons, and guns.
• Notifies appropriate personnel, supervisors, and/or command staff of critical emergency situations, weather‑related information from weather radar, and/or problems with communications, GCIC, or other computer equipment.
• Maintains assorted logs detailing daily activity, including wrecker service, warrants, CAD system dispatching, messages, GCIC/NCIC entries/retrievals of information, facsimiles, and teletypes.
• Performs various administrative support activities: enters, updates, and retrieves information from databases; enters law enforcement information into databases; maintains communication logs; queries data bases upon request; researches warrant information, driver’s licenses and tags; submits information to appropriate staff; replenishes various forms, changes computer paper, and shreds confidential material; disseminates…