Communications​/Dispatcher

This position is essential to the provision of emergency services during and/or following a disaster. Employees in this position may be required to remain on duty during a man-made or natural disaster despite a general evacuation order for the area. Such employees are also expected to remain available for their normal shifts and for recall to emergency duty unless specifically released by Administration to evacuate.

Employees in this position are specifically advised to plan accordingly for these circumstances and that any failure to adhere to these requirements may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Operating within the guidelines of our core values—Communication, Relationships, Awareness, Service Oriented, and High Character—this position will support Police Officers, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel in daily operations of the dispatch center by providing exemplary public safety services, maintaining a clear and safe radio environment, and assisting with accurate record maintenance.

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

• Answers calls made to 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency phone lines to determine if the call requires Police, Fire, EMS or other agency response.
• Provides appropriate information or assistance as required by the nature of the call.
• Utilizes technical software applications for call answering, entering, assigning and announcing via radio equipment. Also, utilizes mapping technologies from phone equipment and Computer Aided Dispatch (C.A.D.) to ensure calls are entered timely and accurately.
• Refers reports and/or complaints to either agency by trunked radio or telephone.
• Provides supplemental information to Police and Fire staff as needed. Documents updates and/or changes in the computer-aided dispatch system as required.
• Conducts computer searches through local, state, and national databases for potential wanted persons or stolen property and provides information to the requesting officer.
• Confirms stolen property or wanted/missing persons, enters data into T.C.I.C./N.C.I.C. as requested and sends and receives teletypes.
• Compiles and enters data for various daily reports required by the department and records information in computer systems maintained for Police and Fire staff.
• Documents problems, changes form for input to database, and ensures information is updated and equipment is properly working at all times.
• Assists with training and/or cross-training of other employees.
• Monitors emergency equipment such as the radio alarms, crime fighting technologies, weather monitors, security cameras and inter-city Police/Fire radio frequencies.
• Performs duties required by accreditation process.

• Knowledge of City codes and ordinances.
• Knowledge of court systems and procedures.
• Knowledge of radio communication.
• Knowledge of the geography of the City.
• Ability to interpret and apply modern police methods, laws, regulations, policies and procedures relating to law enforcement
• Ability to gather and organize data
• Ability to make independent judgments
• Ability to respond to and apply established procedures in emergency situations
• Ability to determine training needs of subordinate employees and to develop and implement training activities to meet these needs
• Ability to respond to and apply established procedures both in emergency and non-emergency situations
• Ability to follow oral and written directions
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, supervisors, personnel of other law enforcement agencies and the general public
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public

• Must be a citizen of the United States.
• M…