Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee - Sierra Vista

Overview

PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER TRAINEE - SIERRA VISTA

CLASSIFIED: Position is subject to the provisions of the Merit System Rules pursuant to Arizona Law

RATE OF PAY: $21.29 hourly, plus a comprehensive benefits package to include membership in the Arizona State Retirement System.

UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF TRAINING PERIOD, PAY RATE WILL INCREASE TO DISPATCH I - HOURLY RATE $21.95

PLEASE NOTE: Successful candidate must pass an extensive background screening.

Under general supervision, answers emergency 911 and non-emergency telephone calls, determines nature and urgency of call and dispatches appropriate personnel and equipment; position requires working on a rotating schedule (day, mid-shift and nights), covering 24/7 operation to include working holidays and weekends; performs related work as required. As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics.

This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.

• Answers emergency and non-emergency phone lines, determines the nature and urgency of the call, obtains the necessary information and details regarding requests; refers to appropriate agency or dispatches appropriate police, fire and medical personnel and equipment; records time and nature of call as well as time and nature of response; directs concerns or calls for service to proper channels, including other law enforcement agencies to confirm or locate stolen vehicles, missing or wanted persons;
  
  continually evaluates pending and new calls for service to assure they are being assigned in order of priority; performs registration and driver’s license checks.
• Determines appropriate response necessary based upon questioning of the caller; maintains status and location of law enforcement and fire personnel; handles lobby traffic during non-business hours and in instances where the caller is at the station; performs monthly warrant updates and validations; responds to public requests for general information; answers TTD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) calls and tests daily; maintains a variety of logs relating to public safety, including radio logs, tow company requests, on-call duty officer requests, and wanted persons “hit” file.
• Enters and validates data on warrants and stolen items; accesses Criminal Justice Information System databases to enter and retrieve law enforcement information; monitors and operates two-way radio to provide information and monitor status of computerized radio system while monitoring, transmitting, and paging on-site radio channel; monitors alarms at the Sierra Vista Police Department.
• When necessary: monitors video surveillance points by utilizing camera system located at console, answers calls made from external call boxes and ability to open back access gate for emergency personnel.

Qualifications include:

• High School diploma or equivalent; must be a minimum of 18 years of age and successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation; must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver’s License and the ability to be covered by county insurance; successful completion of a written exam, psych exam, hearing exam; mandatory pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing.

Knowledge attained following successful training period:

• Emergency dispatch practices and procedures;
• The road, location and addresses of buildings and landmarks in Cochise County;
• The Cochise County and Cochise County’s municipalities organization and services;
• Successful certification in current Emergency Dispatch Protocols.

Ability to:

• Communicate, using telephone and two-way radio equipment;
• Evaluate emergency calls and determine appropriate level of response needed;
• Remain calm and function appropriately during emergency situations and communicate with persons in varying degrees of hysteria;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with emergency personnel, other government personnel, outside law enforcement agencies and the general public;
• Work in a multi-tasking environment, subject to…