Communications Dispatcher

Incumbents work under the direction of the on-duty supervisor or designee, supporting law enforcement and fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in strict adherence to established policies, procedures, protocols, and regulations.

• Operate multiple automated systems (e.g. Computer-Aided Dispatch [CAD], multi-channel radio, emergency telephone, and local and other jurisdictional databases).
• Maintain information confidentiality and security.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, other agencies, and the public.
• Comply with Civil Service policies and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, County policies, department policies and laws to create a cooperative, safe, respectful and quality work environment.
• Receive incoming emergency calls requesting law enforcement or fire/medical assistance, identifying the type, seriousness, and emergency location and determining incident priority.
• Dispatch law enforcement, fire and/or EMS based on emergency type, needed units, and location of the closest and most suitable available units.
• Retrieve information (e.g. wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, restraining orders, criminal histories, gang affiliation, parole status) from jurisdictional databases; provide information to law enforcement officers.
• Prioritize first responders’ safety.
• Provide assistance to coworkers.
• Transfer calls to external agencies and relay information.
• Issue “All Point Bulletins,” stolen vehicle, and missing person’s information.
• Direct callers in Emergency Medical Dispatch efforts, initiate pre-arrival emergency medical treatment, and provide extensive first-aid instructions to callers prior to emergency unit arrival.
• Provide updates to emergency personnel on caller’s condition while in route.
• Coordinate field units, track status and location of fire/EMS apparatus, maintaining contact, ensuring orderly fire/EMS resource usage, and communicating between fire/EMS units and local hospitals.
• Respond to requests for assistance/information from fire/EMS units.
• Provide responding field personnel ongoing updates.
• Refer non-emergency calls to other agencies/companies.
• Use multi-channel radio system to open EMS facility doors or unlock station medical boxes.
• Activate community sirens in case of weather emergency.
• Alert supervisor when fire/EMS units fail to clear or respond.
• Perform duties of a 911 Operator.
• Maintain knowledge and skill set through continuing education (e.g. on-the-job, classroom, webinar, seminar, workshop training).
• Maintain knowledge of and adhere to department policies, procedures, protocols, work practices and government regulations.
• Answer outside agency calls for Douglas County Sheriff and answer non-emergency calls (e.g. MUD, sprinkler systems, road conditions) or refer to appropriate agency.
• Complete assigned projects.
• Testify at court hearings.
• Provide constructive process and procedure improvement suggestions.
• Safely operate a motor vehicle when traveling on County business.
• Report to work with regular, consistent attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned and directed.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.*
• Six (6) months of 911 Operator experience or experience which evidences familiarity with fire/EMS terminology preferred.
• Must be able to type/keyboard 35 net wpm.
• Valid driver’s license and own transportation upon hire and maintained throughout employment required.
• Completion of a pre-employment criminal record check and conditional offer drug screen, auditory exam, and psychological evaluation required.
• Continued employment is conditional upon the successful completion of the following training within the first year of…