Public Safety Dispatcher I

** JOB DESCRIPTION*
* ** Marketing Statement*
* The Public Safety Dispatcher I is an essential entry-level position at the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD), responsible for managing emergency and non-emergency service calls across the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) service area. This role involves coordinating with police, fire departments, and other entities, providing critical information in real time, and ensuring safety during emergencies.

The position operates in a 24/7 environment and may include working holidays, during inclement weather and special events. Shift assignments will vary based on departmental needs. The incumbent in this role may be required to work in MD, DC or VA.

The Public Safety Dispatcher I is the entry level role in the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) emergency communications center managing all emergency and non-emergency service calls for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) service area. This role receives information via radio /telephone relative to emergency and non-emergency service calls and is required to coordinate with jurisdictional police and fire departments, making appropriate notifications, and providing all retrieved to applicable entities.

The incumbent is expected to make measured decisions in real time during critical life safety incidents, while identifying and mitigating public safety needs.

** Principal

Job Duties *
* + Receives, responds, and processes all emergency and non-emergency calls.

+ Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service. Determines the appropriate police, fire, emergency services or WMATA department response. Queries callers to gather specific and vital details of a situation in a timely manner and maintains contact with the caller or appropriate jurisdictional police agency as needed and relays the information received from the caller.

+ Operates communications console equipment to expedite calls received in the MTPD Communications Division which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including special events, holidays and during weather /public safety emergencies which the public can access.

+ Provides callers with customer support and acknowledges WMATA customer complaints, inquiries, and recommendations for WMATA during non-business hours, which may or may not be police related to provide accurate and reliable information for both internal and external partners.

+ Maintains communication with the caller or appropriate jurisdictional police agency to ensure accurate transfer of information that was received from the caller.

+ Determines what type of response by police officers is warranted to mitigate the situation after querying callers to ascertain specific and vital details surrounding the circumstances of the call.

+ Enters each call into the Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD) and continuously updates the system incorporating all pertinent information affecting the call for service until the call is closed and is filed for historical purposes.

+ Rapidly dispatches police officers, officials WMATA Office of Emergency Preparedness personnel, Special Police Officers (both contractors and WMATA), and jurisdictional police officers to calls for service sharing all information regarding the call.

+ Provides information, instructions, and assistance to the public within scope of authority.

+ Controls and coordinates the response of personnel in the field, monitors message traffic and relays information while ensuring the safety and accountability for all MTPD personnel by continuously tracking location and welfare status.

+ Triages multiple emergency incidents by prioritizing level of severity based on risk to life and public safety.

+ Maintains active access with Federal and local jurisdictional criminal data systems to conduct police computerized information systems queries, hit confirmation entries, criminal histories, and perform administrative message switching between other agencies utilizing systems through the Washington Area Law Enforcement System (WALES), the Maryland Electronic Telecommunications Enforcement Resource System (METERS), and the Virginia…