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 include ensuring the safety of all deputies, city officers, EMS personnel, and fire personnel; establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with team members and department contacts to continuously improve the level of service provided; answering emergency and non-emergency calls, obtaining essential information from callers, and determining the appropriate course of action to resolve situations effectively; accurately logging all pertinent information relayed via radio or phone into the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system;

transmitting and receiving information on various radio frequencies; maintaining up-to-date knowledge of policies, protocols, and procedures for reporting incidents; understanding that Labette County Emergency Communications operates 24/7 and employees must be willing and able to work evenings, midnights, weekends, and holidays as scheduled; demonstrating professionalism and cooperation with the public, coworkers, management, and partner agencies; performing additional duties as assigned by the 911 Director, Deputy Director, or 911 Supervisor;

and performing all essential duties in a high-stress environment requiring focus, composure, and quick decision-making.

Major accountability includes officer safety, receiving and relaying accurate, timely information via radio to officers, memorizing 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.

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, and 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 include a 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, and 12-hour shifts.