Communications Specialist; 911 Dispatcher - Lateral & Entry Level

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Communications Watch Supervisor, receive and respond to incoming emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch appropriate police, fire, ambulance or other emergency medical service (EMS) response units; assist the public by providing a variety of information; perform a variety of clerical support duties for the department.

Responsibilities include:

• Receive and respond to incoming telephone emergency and non-emergency calls; prioritize calls and dispatch appropriate police, fire, ambulance or emergency medical service (EMS) units.
• Continuously analyze available information and monitor unit and police officer status to assure maximum safety in emergency responses; assure cover officer is notified and secured.
• Evaluate requests for emergency services and quickly obtain as much information from the caller as possible; take appropriate action to assure successful completion of the requested or required service.
• Assist the public by providing a variety of information; greet and assist the public at the front counter; operate telephone system, answer business lines and transfer calls to appropriate location or personnel; as necessary provide emergency medical dispatch instructions over the phone.
• Prepare, post and maintain a variety of police reports, reports and other documentation.
• Operate personal computers to input and retrieve data; review, post and purge files and records for processing according to established procedures.
• Obtain police records for officers, court officials, citizens and agencies as requested; provide appropriate referrals and assistance to public and other agencies; accumulate and distribute records and reports in accordance with department policy and state public information laws.
• Operate a variety of equipment such as personal computers, alarm and surveillance monitors, dictation system, telephone, two-way radio, fax machine and copy machine.
• Operate a variety of software programs to include records management, computer aided dispatch (CAD), mapping, ILETS/NCIC, radio, etc.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires graduation from high school or GED.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Age: 18
• US Citizen:
  Yes
• Ability to Read/Speak English:
  Yes
• Vision:
  Must have uncorrected vision in each eye of no weaker than twenty/two hundred (20/200) with the strong eye corrected to twenty/twenty (20/20) and the weaker eye corrected to twenty/sixty (20/60). Should possess binocular coordination that does not manifest diplopia; depth of proficiency of a minimum of one (1) minute of arc at twenty (20) feet; peripheral vision should be binocularly two hundred (200) degrees laterally with sixty (60) degrees upward and seventy (70) degrees downward.
  
  There should be no pathology of the eye; should possess a minimum seventy percent (70%) proficiency on a color discrimination test.

Specific Disqualifiers/Behaviors:

• Felony, Criminal Activity Disqualifiers:
  Conviction or withheld judgement on any felony offense. Convictions or withheld judgments for any misdemeanor sex crimes, DUI, domestic violence, stalking, civil protection order violation or child abuse.
• Driving Disqualifiers:
  Misdemeanor traffic violations within five years of application.
• Drug Use Disqualifiers:
  Violations of the Lewiston Police Department Drug Policy or failure to meet IDAPA rules for drug use,  as of March 20, 2014. This includes using marijuana (legally or illegally) in the last year or any Schedule 1 thru VI drug in the last 3 years.
• Employment Disqualifiers:
  Theft of company property. Misuse of company or department finances. Falsification of time reporting or other official documents. Drug or alcohol use that negatively affected job performance. Sick leave abuse. Committing any form of illegal harassment.
• Financial Disqualifiers: A credit check is part of the background investigation.
• Additional Disqualifiers:
  Discharge from the military for "Other Than Honorable". Failure of a polygraph exam, psychological evaluation, medical exam or drug test prior to hire date.

Knowledge & Abilities:

• Knowledge of police, fire, ambulance and other EMS dispatch operations and procedures.
• Record-keeping techniques.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Proper telephone and customer service techniques and etiquette.
• Local geographical locations.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Operation of personal computers and data entry techniques.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Operation of a variety of communications equipment.

Ability to:

• Calmly and accurately evaluate incoming emergency or non-emergency calls and take necessary action.
• Learn, apply and explain policies, procedures, rules, regulations and laws related to the police department and assigned responsibilities.
• Learn civil liability issues pertaining to 911 operators and NCIC record entry.
• Prioritize emergency or non-emergency calls and dispatch to proper units accordingly.
• Monitor and assure maximum…