Public Safety Dispatcher Clerk

Job Title

Receives and processes routine and emergency calls and alarms; dispatches Police as required; enters, retrieves, and uses data from various automated law enforcement information systems; coordinates with other emergency service providers as appropriate; adheres to applicable policies, procedures, and work methods associated with assigned duties.

Supervision received:
Immediate and/or general direction from the Police Communications Supervisor.

Knowledge of:

• Police department and communication center operations, policies, and procedures
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Law enforcement and emergency service procedures for responding to and handling reported incidents
• Techniques of questioning for both emergency and non-emergency calls
• Automated law enforcement information systems and procedures, standard law enforcement information, communication, terminology, record keeping methods and techniques
• Related clerical duties such as typing, filing, and indexing
• Dispatch reports and documentation
• Modern office equipment and software including fax machines, closed circuit surveillance systems, computers, copiers, and windows-based applications including Outlook

Ability to:

• Support the City's goal of providing professional, reliable, and consistent customer service by building and maintaining positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service
• Memorize codes, names, locations, and other detailed information
• Act quickly and calmly in emergencies
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Exercise sound independent judgement within established guidelines
• Use computer technology and applications in the performance of daily duties
• Operate keyboards, including typewriters and computer terminals at a typing speed of 35 words per minute
• Follow oral and written instructions
• Read and interpret street maps
• Learn City dispatching codes, policies, procedures, and equipment
• Pass pre-employment screening, background investigation, psychological evaluation, physical and drug test

Skills:

• A detailed oriented approach to tasks
• Methods and techniques of receiving, prioritizing, and dispatching emergency and non- emergency calls for service
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Proper usage of the English language, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Methods and techniques of computer aided dispatch, including associate systems and radio equipment
• Methods and techniques of telephone etiquette

Work environment, physical demands, and behavior requirements:

Environmental Conditions:

Typical office environment with computer systems, office equipment, phone system and radio equipment.

Physical Conditions:

Essential functions may require, in the performance of daily activities, sitting for prolonged periods of time and intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, twist and reach while performing duties. Manual dexterity to use standard office equipment. Vision to read handwritten, printed materials, and computer screens. Hearing and speech to communicate over the telephone, in person and on radio systems. Work is done in an office environment with moderate noise levels, and a controlled temperature condition.

Incumbent will interact with upset staff and/or public. Incumbent will be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays and participate in after hour on-call assignments and work unusual and prolonged work schedules, as necessary.

Behavior Requirements:
Dependable, prompt, regular attendance. Professional telephone and email etiquette, including returning voicemails and emails promptly. Ability to cooperate with the public and co-workers. Tolerance for the stress of multiple simultaneous, possible conflicting demands. Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks with an attention to detail.

Essential functions:

Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Independently receives and evaluates 911, police emergency and business calls; transfers calls to appropriate…