Communications Operator

911 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR POSITION

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY:
Open Until Filled

• Must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the state of Iowa or intend to become a resident upon employment.
• Must be a high school graduate with a diploma or possess a G.E.D. equivalency certificate.
• This position requires availability for night shift, holidays and weekends.
• See job description below for complete information.

A lateral transfer is defined as an individual who is currently employed as a certified Iowa public safety dispatcher for a PSAP or has been so employed within the previous 12 months prior to beginning employment with the city and has successfully completed the Basic Iowa System Training (BIST), ILEA Basic 40‑hour Telecommunicator School and is current on the Iowa/NCIC state system certification.

An individual meeting these requirements will be given credit for prior years of service, and their starting salary will be placed accordingly within the current MPPA adopted salary scale and benefit hour earning scales for Communications Operators as well as a hiring bonus of $5,000. $2,500 will be included with their first paycheck and $2,500 after one year of service.

• Completed City of Marion Application (cover letter and resume is required)
• Military Discharge Separation Papers - DD214 showing box 24:
  Character of Service (if applicable) Honorable Discharge (required for Veteran's Preference Points)
• Current phone number and email address

Communication regarding the hiring process will be sent via the email provided on your application. Please monitor your email closely throughout this process for confirmations and updates.

Job Title:

Communications Operator

Civil Service:
No

Department:
Marion Public Safety Communications

Bargaining Unit:
Yes

Reports to Position:
Communications Manager

Pay Grade:
Per MPPA Contract

Location:

Police Department

Overtime Status:
Paid Overtime

Effect. Date: 01/01/2020

FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt

This is a non‑management position within the Public Safety Communications Center of the Marion Police Department. A Communications Operator serves the community by answering emergency and routine calls via phone, radio, or other devices and gathers essential information from callers; enters the call information into the computer‑aided dispatch (CAD) system and dispatches the appropriate first responders to the scene as needed.

The operator provides dispatch and communication support services for police, fire, EMS, and can require the coordination of other related service agencies during joint events. Work is performed in accordance with federal and state laws as well as departmental regulations, policies, and routines. This position has 3 shifts:
Day Shift - 6 am – 2 pm;
Evening Shift – 2 pm – 10 pm; and Overnight Shift 10 pm – 6 am. Shifts are bid on every 6 months by seniority with all new hires working evening and overnight shifts, including weekends and holidays.

• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace or citizens encountered during work.
• Receive all 911 and routine line phone calls, as well as the police department administrative phone calls by operating a multi‑line telephone console system including telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or hearing‑impaired.
• Must always be ready to take a call and respond as necessary.
• Accurately interpret, condense, and prioritize information relevant to the call; select proper call type responses.
• Keep callers on the phone, if necessary, in order to provide responders with the most current information to handle the call safely and efficiently.
• Ask vital questions and provide pre‑arrival instructions for emergency personnel.
• Transfer or relay calls, individuals or information to officers or other members of the department or make secondary party calls to others as needed or requested (i.e., gas, electric, water, etc.).
• Operate the department’s multi‑channel/multi‑agency radio equipment; be clear in tone, enunciation and volume; be concise giving details in an…