Telecommunicator Emergency Service Dispatcher

Job Title:

Communications Officer

The Communications Officer performs specialized work in receiving and dispatching emergency and non-emergency messages in the 911 Center. This position is responsible for operating dispatch radios, computers, 911 and administrative phone lines, and the telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD). The Communications Officer receives and dispatches messages and coordinates emergency response services. Duties are performed under stressful conditions due to the urgency, volume, and accuracy required in emergency communications.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities:

• Ensure the safety of all deputies, city officers, EMS personnel, and fire personnel.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with team members and department contacts to continuously improve the level of service provided.
• Answer emergency and non-emergency calls, obtain essential information from callers, and determine the appropriate course of action to resolve situations effectively.
• Accurately log all pertinent information relayed via radio or phone into the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.
• Transmit and receive information on the following radio frequencies:
  Sheriff, Countywide, County Fire/EMS (including paging of Fire and EMS), 800 State Mutual Aid System, and weather spotters as needed.
• Monitor and communicate as needed on additional radio frequencies, including Parsons Police Department and Kansas Highway Patrol.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of policies, protocols, and procedures for reporting incidents, as well as contact information for key personnel, businesses, hazardous materials, emergency operations, and law enforcement agencies within Labette County.
• Understand that Labette County Emergency Communications operates 24/7. Employees must be willing and able to work evenings, midnights, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.
• Demonstrate professionalism and cooperation with the public, coworkers, management, and partner agencies.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the 911 Director, Deputy Director, or 911 Supervisor.
• Perform all essential duties in a high-stress environment requiring focus, composure, and quick decision-making.

Major Accountability:

Officer Safety is of utmost importance. Responsibilities include receiving and relaying accurate, timely information via radio to officers. Communications Officers are expected to memorize:

• Agency protocols and procedures
• Officer names, badge numbers, and residences
• Radio 10-codes and dispositions
• Basic geography, mapping, and layout of the county and cities

EMS And Fire Dispatch:

The Communications Officer is responsible for receiving and dispatching all EMS and Fire calls for the county using Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) protocols. EMS and Fire units include:

• Labette Health EMS (Parsons and Oswego locations)
• Parsons Fire Department
• Nine volunteer fire departments
• Eight first responder departments

Dispatch is also responsible for coordinating responses to all weather-related emergencies, including storms, tornadoes, floods, snow, and ice-related incidents.

Benefits:

• Full benefits package
• Health, vision, and dental insurance
• Tuition assistance at Labette Community College
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Shift differential pay for midnight and weekend shifts
• Time-and-a-half pay for holidays worked
• KPERS retirement system participation
• Life insurance coverage
• 12-hour shifts