911 Communicator

Answers and processes public safety calls; does related work as required.

This is highly responsible clerical, administrative, and public service work involving response and handling of emergency and non-emergency telephone calls and radio traffic.  The work is performed under the general direction of the 911 Manager and shift commander who reviews work in progress and after the fact through taped recordings, but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative.  The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain close cooperative working relationships with other public safety employees.  Because employees in this class are located in an environment associated with law enforcement, emergency situations, frequent public contact, and high-volume production, the work may be performed under considerable stress.  

An employee in this class is required to maintain complete confidentiality on all matters pertaining to law enforcement operations, Law Enforcement Department personnel and the general public.

This position is covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City-County of Butte-Silver Bow and the Butte Police Protective Association.

• Answers 911 and non-emergency calls.
• Gathers pertinent information from caller.
• Prioritizes calls and determines appropriate response resources.
• Dispatches police, paid fire, volunteer fire, ambulance, wrecker and search and rescue personnel.
• Remains in contact with caller and service personnel in the field to coordinate further assistance.
• Enters all radio traffic into computerized dispatch system.
• Ensures appropriate records are maintained for compliance audits.
• Coordinates multiple service units for emergency calls.
• Has security clearance to access NCIC-CJIN databases.
• Monitors burglar, fire, robbery and medical alarms.
• Maintains daily wrecker logs, summary sheet, weather and road reports and wrecker rotation list.
• Notifies Coroner of need to respond.
• Operates TDD-TDY.
• May be assigned the duties of Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC).
• Performs other duties as required.
• Perform all duties and work assignments in a safe, healthy, and environmentally sound manner.  Specifically, complying with the Health & Safety Program; maintaining work areas in a safe and orderly manner; identifying and reporting unsafe conditions; reporting all accidents; wearing required personal protective equipment; and attending safety-related meetings, training sessions, fit testing, etc.
• Perform all duties and work assignments in compliance with project quality requirements.
• Act responsibly and ethically, and in conformance with generally accepted business, occupational, and professional standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Butte-Silver Bow will recognize up to five years of experience when establishing the salary for qualified candidates.
• Thorough knowledge of multi-channel radio communications.
• Thorough knowledge of law enforcement terminology and equipment.
• Through knowledge of fire services terminology and equipment.
• Good knowledge of department and division policies and procedures.
• Good knowledge of specialized computer program applications.
• Some knowledge of local, state and federal laws.
• Good knowledge of effective communication and interpersonal techniques necessary for team and interagency coordination.
• Good knowledge of techniques used to elicit necessary information from individuals under great stress.
• Skill in dealing effectively with the public.
• Skill in the use of telephones, radios, computers and other dispatch center equipment.
• Ability to comply with policies and procedures.
• Ability to make decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Ability to use good judgement in solving problems.
• Ability to type and enter data on a computer at an effective rate of speed.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow staff, supervisors, multiple agency representatives and the public.
• Ability to communicate well with others, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

 Acceptable Experience and Training

• Graduation from high school, preferably supplemented by additional training in dispatch practices and procedures; and
• Some experience in emergency service; and
• Some experience with on-line computer dispatch systems; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.

 Required Special Qualifications

• Possession of a valid Driver's License issued by the State of Montana.
• Must be a resident of Butte-Silver Bow during employment according to Butte-Silver Bow Ordinance.  *See Additional Information.

 Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate well with supervisors, other City employees and the general public, in person and by telephone and radio, and to monitor radio and telephone conversations accurately in the presence of background noise.
• Sufficient vision, with or without correction, which permits the employee to review a wide variety of written and electronic materials.
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate complex radio and telephone equipment.
• Sufficient personal mobility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate assigned communications equipment.

Salary : $3,041