Public Safety Dispatcher Job Kenai area,Alaska USA,Government

Public Safety Dispatcher

The Public Safety Dispatcher is an entry-level position in the Communications division of the City of Kenai Police Department. Under general supervision, the Dispatcher coordinates public safety (Police, Fire, and EMS) response to protect life and property through prompt, courteous, and efficient call processing and dispatching. The Dispatcher transmits, receives, and relays information to and from an array of local, state, and federal government entities.

This position also performs a variety of general clerical and data entry duties. The position includes daily contact with the public and government agencies, often in emergency situations that require the employee to influence and direct conversations, often in stressful circumstances. The employee must be self-disciplined and exercise discretion when handling sensitive information. Kenai Police Department communications personnel are held to a high level of professional skill and technical ability.

Personnel are trained to maintain situational awareness in a stressful, multi-tasked environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential duties and responsibilities of the Public Safety Dispatcher include:

Provides first responder assistance in medical emergencies in accordance with the National Academy of Emergency Dispatch guidelines.

Receives, classifies, and prioritizes all incoming calls to the dispatch center, including 9-1-1 calls, emergency and non-emergency calls received from citizens; operates a variety of public safety communications equipment including, 9-1-1 emergency telephone equipment, computer-aided dispatch systems, and multi-channel radio system.

Evaluates response necessary as dictated by a given request for service; determines nature, location, and priority of calls; operates computer-aided dispatch system to create calls for service within response criteria guidelines; assign and dispatch personnel in accordance with policies and procedures; transfers calls to other appropriate agencies in accordance with established procedures; obtains and dispatches other support services as necessary.

Provides accurate deployment tracking of department personnel and equipment to maintain continuous situational awareness.

Operates computer terminals to enter, modify, and retrieve data; use multiple computer programs and quickly navigate between computer and communications programs and applications.

Monitors City-wide and airport alarm systems.

Prepares and maintains numerous reports, logs, alpha and numerical files, report forms, statistical data, and general correspondence using correct English spelling, punctuation, and grammar; prepares documents for routing, including data entry into multiple databases for other state agencies.

Provides a variety of general clerical assistance; greets the public in person; responds to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provides information within the area of assignment; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner; corrects citations as necessary; maintains strict confidentiality of all calls, conversations, and written materials.

Reads and comprehends legal and non-legal documents such as driving records, criminal histories, citations, domestic violence paperwork, no-code death advisements, and warrants.

Communicates and coordinates with others in a stressful environment; maintains composure in difficult situations; endures occasional verbal and mental abuse from persons who may be under stress as a result of emergencies or interaction with law enforcement personnel.

Works effectively with co-workers, the public, and others by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner, often in stressful situations; establishes and maintains effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Attends Department and other training programs.

Obtains and maintains security clearance standards as set by the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN).

Assists with training new dispatchers as required.

Performs assigned duties with speed and accuracy.

Performs job duties with minimal or no supervision.

Maintains the physical ability to perform…