Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties involved in receiving, evaluating, prioritizing, and relaying 9-1-1, emergency, and non-emergency calls for service; inputs calls into computer system; dispatches appropriate units and coordinates response of emergency personnel; operates a variety of communications equipment including radio, telephone, and computer aided dispatch systems; performs a wide variety of specialized clerical duties involved in the preparation, maintenance, and release of materials related to law enforcement activities searches female prisoners and secures evidence as necessary; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Public Safety Dispatcher – This is the full journey level class within the Public Safety Dispatcher series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned including the more complex public safety dispatch duties and providing training to Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee staff. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are generally filled by advancement from the Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee level, or when filled from the outside, require prior experience. Advancement to the Public Safety Dispatcher level is based on management judgment and/or testing that validates the performance of the full range of job duties. 

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Receives, classifies, and prioritizes all incoming calls to the dispatch center including 9-1-1 calls, emergency, and non-emergency calls received from citizens requesting service or information; operates a variety of public safety communications equipment including 911 emergency telephone equipment, computer aided dispatch systems, and multi-channel radio system.
2. Evaluates response necessary as dictated by a given request for service; determines nature, location, and priority of calls; operates computer aided dispatch system to create calls for service within response criteria guidelines; assigns and dispatches personnel in accordance with policies and procedures.
3. Maintains contact with all units on assignment; maintains status and location of field units; monitors multiple radio frequencies; relays emergency and non-emergency information to public safety personnel in the field.
4. Maintains Police Department public window and provides reception function for the department; responds to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provides information within the area of responsibility; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
5. Answers non-emergency phone calls and provides assistance, information, and direction to non-emergency callers.
6. Operates computer terminals to enter, update, and retrieve information relating to wanted persons, stolen property, stolen vehicles, vehicle registration, driver's license, and warrants on wanted persons.
7. Provides a variety of clerical assistance; processes permit requests including police records; creates, copies, indexes and/or files reports and case records; inputs data into computer; releases reports to the public as necessary.
8. Prepares court documents relating to arrests, citations, and warrants; types complaints; logs, indexes, files and distributes such documents per department procedures.
9. Takes information on minor thefts, non-injury accidents, and other minor incidents.
10. Assists in training reserve officers or new employees in the operation of the dispatch function.
11. May provide assistance to sworn officers by searching and securing evidence from female prisoners.
12. Works on special projects as requested.
13. Performs related duties as assigned.

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

Operations, services, and activities of a public safety communications center.

Operational characteristics of modern public safety communications equipment including computer aided dispatch systems and multi-channel radio systems.

Law enforcement and emergency service procedures for responding to and handling reported incidents.

Techniques of questioning for both emergency and non-emergency calls.

Methods and techniques of receiving, prioritizing, and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls for service.

Functions of the Police Department and other City departments.

Geographic features and locations within the area served.

English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.

Methods and techniques of telephone etiquette.

Methods and techniques of conflict resolution.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Principles and procedures of record keeping

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Receive and respond to emergency and non-emergency calls.

Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.

Effectively communicate and elicit information from upset and irate callers.

Speak clearly and concisely in an understandable voice via radio and telephone and in person.

Make independent decisions that affect the safety of public safety personnel, citizens, and property such as those involved in determining the urgency of requests received and the appropriate action to take.

Dispatch police units quickly and effectively.

Think quickly, calmly, and clearly in emergency situations.

Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

Operate a variety of communications receiving and transmitting equipment including 9-1-1 system, radio transmitting system, and computer aided dispatch system (CAD).

Operate specialized public safety computer systems and applications.

Read and interpret maps and other navigational resources and give directions.

Type and enter data accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance.

Work under pressure, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions in emergency situations.

Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations.

Compile, maintain, process, and prepare a variety of records and reports.

Work independently with minimum direct supervision and exercise judgment on own initiative.

Carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form.

Exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving a variety of generally pre-defined duties which are often characterized by frequent change.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONEMENT 

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.

Environment: Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, toxic agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.

Physical: Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds).

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.