Emergency Communications Specialist

The following essential functions serve as a general guide for this position. Position functions are subject to change based on departmental needs and external factors, including, but not limited to, regulatory requirements.

• Operates emergency communication system, answers emergency and non-emergency calls, receives complaints and requests for service, obtains necessary information, and dispatches medical, fire, and law enforcement personnel or directs callers to proper assistance or information;
• Utilizes Emergency Dispatch protocol programs to categorize and prioritize emergency medical, fire, and law enforcement calls for service and provides post-dispatch and pre-arrival instructions to callers;
• Operates a computer terminal, transmits and receives information via Department of Criminal Information (DCI) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) networks, and enters medical, fire, and law enforcement calls into a computer-aided dispatch system;
• Monitors radio channels for medical, fire, and law enforcement agencies and maintains radio contact with dispatched personnel;
• Provides directions to responding units using a computer mapping system;
• Serves as liaison to various agencies, including on-call personnel, magistrates, medical examiner, public works, State Highway Patrol, etc.;
• Answers non-emergency and after-hours calls for various departments;
• Maintains communication logs and reports, including the nature of calls, actions taken, and time involved;
• Performs pager announcements and tests for medical and fire departments;
• Monitors public and private fire and security alarm systems and activates monitors to dispatch fire and rescue squads as needed.
• Provides requested information to local attorneys and Sheriff’s Office;
• Attends training as necessary to maintain certifications;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

High school diploma or GED and moderate experience in general clerical work, including basic computer knowledge or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• General knowledge of emergency communications systems and operation procedures;
• General knowledge of radio, teletype, and CAD operations;
• General knowledge of the geography of the county and the location of major buildings and facilities;
• General knowledge of law enforcement forms, terminology, and records;
• General knowledge of departmental programs, policies, and procedures;
• Ability to perform a high volume of detailed work with accuracy;
• Ability to type accurately at a reasonable rate of speed;
• Ability to speak distinctly;
• Ability to remain calm and effective when dealing with the public in stressful situations;
• Ability to follow oral and written directions;
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and personal computers, including working knowledge of applicable software packages;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, public safety agencies, and the general public.

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking, hearing, use of hands and fingers, handling, feeling, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, pushing, pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; work requires vocal communication to express or exchange ideas information clearly and accurately, sometimes loudly or quickly;

work requires hearing to perceive information at normal spoken levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications; work requires preparing and analyzing written computer data and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to or environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Must successfully complete a pre-employment physical and psychological evaluation.

Must possess orobtain the following certifications within one (1) year of employment:

• Department of Criminal Information  (DCI)
  Operator Certification
• CPR Certification
• Emergency Medical Dispatch  (EMD) Certification
• Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) Certification
• Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD) Certification
• NIMS/ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800
• Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification