Fire Communications Officer - SR

Fire Communications Officer I

The County of Hawai`i is offering a position for a Fire Communications Officer I. This role involves emergency communication and dispatching operations, including call taking and dispatching Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and equipment. The position requires handling sensitive information discreetly and professionally. As knowledge and skills increase, employees are expected to work more independently. Tasks are performed using a specialized workstation with emergency 911 communications equipment and a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.

Fire Communications Officer I positions may be eligible to receive a $1,000 recruitment incentive. Conditions apply.

This position is a career ladder position. The next level in the series is Fire Communications Officer II. Persons hired into career ladder positions must meet minimum qualifications for the next level in the career ladder series, perform work at the higher level, and meet performance requirements to move to the next level in the career ladder series. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

Special working conditions include twenty-four hour, seven day-a-week operations requiring rotating shift assignment and weekend and holiday work. Overtime work as required.

Under direct supervision, receives formal and structured on-the-job training in the methods and procedures of emergency communication and dispatching operations including call taking and dispatching Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and equipment including Hazardous Materials and Search and Rescue operations, utilizing a specialized work station of emergency 911 communications equipment and a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system in a central fire communications operation;

and performs other related duties as required.

Receives formal and on-the-job training on the basic functions and missions of the Hawai'i County Fire Department and fire and EMS communications operations.

Actively participates in a Call Taker and Dispatcher Training Program under direct supervision to perform the full range of emergency communication duties in the Fire Communications Center to include Fire, EMS, and Fire-related services, including Hazardous Materials and Search and Rescue.

Learns and becomes proficient in operating a specialized workstation comprised of computer based 911-telephone system, CAD system, computer based radio dispatching systems, and other supportive computer based devices to answer, triage and process 911 voice and text calls from the public for emergency and non-emergency assistance.

Utilizes the Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) application of the telephone system to communicate with deaf and/or speech impaired individuals. Facilitates language interpretation between non-English speaking callers and interpreters.

Performs call taking and dispatching duties simultaneously when call volume exceeds staffing levels within the emergency dispatch center.

Receives training to provide callers with life-saving medical and safety instructions, in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Interacts with callers who may be injured, distressed, distraught, emotional and/or belligerent. Maintains professional decorum when interacting with callers and attempts to calm distressed citizens during call taking to ensure effective communications.

Gathers information from the caller to ensure personnel and public safety; classifies, codes and prioritizes cases correctly; inputs data in the appropriate fields; adjusts to varying types of calls for assistance; maintains control of the conversations and makes sound decisions during life-threatening situations.

Evaluates information received to determine appropriate jurisdiction, equipment, and personnel to be dispatched.

Multi-tasks while communicating clearly, calmly, and efficiently, with the public, departmental personnel, and government agencies while simultaneously using a computer, telephone, and various electronic databases.

Receives data from responding emergency personnel, Automatic Number Identification and…