Emergency Dispatcher

Emergency Dispatcher – City of Medford, Medford, MA 02155

Join to apply for the Emergency Dispatcher role at City of Medford, Medford, MA 02155.

Base pay range:
Union ($989.82 - $1,113.81 per week). Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience.

• Receives emergency and non‑emergency calls from the public and other service providers for public safety services on Next Gen 911 equipment, Text‑to‑911, video, and TTY calls.
• Manages each call per established guidelines, policies, and procedures by requesting critical information from callers such as personal info, location, and nature of the call.
• Records information; assesses the need for emergency services; determines the appropriate level of response; evaluates priority; and dispatches the appropriate response unit(s).
• Uses radio communication equipment, CAD, and geographic location tools to communicate directly with police and fire units.
• Maintains accurate daily record of calls and dispatch activities.
• Assists in the training of new 911 Public Safety Dispatchers.
• Activates emergency alert systems including Zetron fire house alarm response systems.
• Provides crisis intervention services.
• Gathering important information on medical calls for dispatch and transfers call to EMS provider for critical Emergency Medical Dispatch procedures.
• Utilizes communication systems to access NCIC, CJIS, Mass Open Fox Messaging System, Zetron firehouse alarm notification system, Vision 21 public/home/building fire box alarm notification system, and other computer systems.
• Performs entries, inquiries, cancellations, and modifications of records in various systems such as NCIC, CJIS, RMV, stolen vehicle registration, missing person files, stolen firearms files, warrant files, hazardous materials files, and other related files and/or databases maintained by the Medford Police and Fire Departments.
• Asks questions to interpret, analyze, and anticipate the caller’s situation to resolve problems, provide information, dispatch emergency services, or refer callers to other agencies.

• High School Diploma or GED.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in a 911 public safety dispatch center is required.

• Prior knowledge and use of QED Computer Aided Dispatch Software is helpful.

Candidates for the position are required to undergo a thorough background investigation, including, but not limited to, employment, financial, and criminal background. A medical and psychological exam is also required.

The successful completion of a public safety dispatch 5‑week academy may be required if not already completed (may be waived for experienced 911 dispatchers). Successful applicants offered a position must complete a paid 8‑week in‑house 911 public safety dispatcher training program. Ability to obtain and maintain all dispatch‑related certifications, including those for CPR, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), and Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS).

Successful applicants are subject to random drug/alcohol screenings.

• Excellent customer service skills, superior keyboard, computer, and communication skills, and ability to handle multiple incidents simultaneously in a stressful environment.
• Develop and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with fellow employees, representatives from other departments, and supervisors.
• Use logic and reasoning to reach conclusions in resolving problems.
• Use judgment and decision‑making skills to evaluate situations, establish priorities, and resolve matters.
• Think quickly and work in stressful situations.
• Actively listen and communicate effectively through clear speech and hearing.
• Follow instructions and write clearly with good spelling.
• Establish priorities and pass on information as needed.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Knows telecommunications systems, including transmission, broadcasting, switching systems, and computerized databases, including teletype operations and procedures.
• Accurately type thirty‑five (35) words per minute.
• Answer voice and TTY/TTD telephone calls received from the public.
• Understand basic dispatch…