Emergency Communications Dispatcher

Position Overview

Communications Operator I – Entry/trainee level one in the Communications Operator series. The incumbent supports public safety personnel by retrieving, interpreting, and dispatching emergency calls; operating a computer‑aided dispatch system; maintaining status of field units; delivering information to the public; and performing related clerical duties.

• Receives, interprets, classifies, prioritizes, and responds to calls of a routine and emergency nature, including life‑threatening situations. Enters relevant information using a computer keyboard and accurately transmits messages for dispatching in accordance with established procedures.
• Assigns calls to police units for necessary action, determining the appropriate units required for response. Coordinates with patrol supervisors regarding deployment of personnel. Visually monitors video display terminals and actively listens to police radio frequencies to ensure accurate status of officers and emergency personnel. Maintains contact with all units on assignment and logs all field calls and units dispatched.
• Dispatches law enforcement or other emergency personnel and equipment. Operates a variety of communications equipment, including CAD terminals, radio transmitters and receivers, dispatch consoles, electronic data terminals, telephone, and leased‑line teletype. Monitors multiple computer screens simultaneously. Enters, updates, and retrieves information from computerized databases relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, etc.
• Uses telecommunications systems to coordinate emergency calls and relay information to other law‑enforcement and public‑safety agencies. Determines appropriate communications or research channels selected from emergency telephone lines, radio room telephone lines, business telephone lines, police radio channels, other agency radio channels, and manual computerized information systems.
• Provides information to officers and field personnel expeditiously, including warrants, vehicles, driver’s licenses, parole, and criminal history information. Interprets or clarifies coded responses from various systems. Confirms warrants with responsible agencies, receives and files warrants, updates status of warrants, and documents requests for DMV print‑outs and vehicle impound information.
• Accurately processes information received in the communications center and disseminates that information to appropriate parties, including relatives, employers, hospitals, sworn and non‑sworn public‑safety personnel at other agencies, other city departments, ambulance services, detoxification centers, tow companies, attorneys, state parole, county probation, animal control, commercial establishments, alarm companies, and schools.
• When appropriate, monitors other public‑safety and emergency‑preparedness radio traffic, security monitors, and takes necessary action.
• Maintains a variety of automated and manual logs, records, and files related to communications center activities.
• Make court appearances as required related to assigned activities.
• Perform a variety of record‑keeping, filing, indexing, and other general clerical work.
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information and resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Perform other work as assigned.

• Operate a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Perform communications center activities in a mobile vehicle or mobile setting.
• Perform other work as assigned.

• Customer service and professional telephone answering techniques.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

• Act appropriately and decisively under stressful and/or emergency situations.
• Learn, apply, and maintain knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and information pertaining to law‑enforcement dispatch.
• Learn policies and procedures of receiving and processing emergency calls.
• Read, understand, and apply a variety of call‑taking information and materials.
• Learn call interview…