911 Communications Officer

Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification.   The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position. In addition, specifications are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the class and may not necessarily convey the qualifications of incumbents within the position.

• Receives, screens, processes, and monitors emergency 911 calls and non-emergency calls from the public and other police/public safety agencies by radio, telephone, and computer-aided dispatch (CAD); evaluates, categorizes, and prioritizes calls; confirms jurisdiction of requests; directs callers to other agencies as appropriate; takes/relays messages for department employees or other departments.
• Dispatches appropriate agency personnel to incident locations; determines nature of emergency, location of incident, number of units needed, and nearest units; dispatches law enforcement units, ambulances, fire fighters, wreckers, utility crews, medical examiner, helicopter emergency services or others as appropriate.
• Monitors all GCIC messages received and transmitted via the CJIS Network including but not limited to inquiries, entry, clear and hit confirmation of hot files.
• Completes 911 inquiries when applicable/required.
• Maintains communications with all parties involved in emergency situations; monitors status/location of emergency units; monitors safety and welfare of officers; assists emergency personnel in locating addresses; conveys information between callers and emergency personnel, general public, public safety agencies, utilities, businesses, department personnel, or other individuals/agencies; responds to requests from officers for backup, emergency units, information, or other assistance.
• Responds to requests from law enforcement personnel for license plate, driver’s license, criminal history, warrant, missing/wanted person, stolen property, or other information; transmits information to inquiring officers via radio/telephone; obtains/provides background information requested by certified personnel for purposes of employment, court, firearm licensing, or military background checks.
• Operates national/state criminal information computer systems to retrieve/update criminal information and motor vehicle/license records; locates, runs inquiries, and enters updates on data such as criminal histories, warrants, driver’s license records, stolen property, or missing/wanted persons.
• Tests equipment and makes minor repairs on same or notifies supervisor when/if major repairs are required. Changes tapes on recording of radio traffic and telephone calls as needed.
• Notifies road department and other institutions of severe weather conditions and special instructions if necessary.
• Assists in the telephone/radio/computer training of new dispatch personnel.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned.
  

• The Police and Fire Department organization, procedures, and operating policies.
• Local geography, including main streets and their hundred blocks, relative distance between streets, City boundary limits, sectors and beat areas, and fire response districts.
• The IAED emergency dispatch protocols.
• The CAD formats and commands pertaining to the 911 operator, fire dispatcher, and police dispatcher.
• The geography, equipment, and procedures of other jurisdictions that Alpharetta has contracted with to provide fire/emergency medical dispatch procedures.
• Mutual and automatic aide agreements with surrounding agencies; and dispatch procedures for air ambulance companies.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations and department rules, policies, and procedures.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

• Review dispatch of fire/police calls, listen to incoming phone information, and assimilate spoken information from dispatchers.
• Exercise initiative in the improvement of Communications Center operations.
• Scan eight or more computer monitors rapidly to select pertinent information.
• Shut out extraneous information from other radio channels and coworkers, while selectively listening to information recognized as crucial.
• Type and enter data accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Remain calm under pressure, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions quickly in emergency situations.
• Multi-task by typing information into a database while simultaneously receiving processing audible information. 
• Effectively utilize various 3^rd party program systems to receive and process audio, text, photo, video, and live stream media. 
• Work a variety of shifts as assigned, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and occasional on-call as needed.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Attend offsite training, often requiring extended travel away from home.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationship with Communications employees and supervisors, police and fire personnel, and callers.

Physical Demands

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting and operate office equipment.  Continuous sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity; light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls, and office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils.  Frequent side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting at waist; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing up to 20 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 yards.  Occasional squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height; moderate grasping to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20-35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.  Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors and visual cues or signals.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction as outlined in NENA standard NENA-STA-007.2-2014.

Sensory:  Ability to tolerate sudden/alarming/unexpected sounds, such as alarms, office equipment operation, drawers/doors closing, and other unpredicted office environment sounds.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Alpharetta and employee and is subject to modifications as the needs and requirements of the position change.

The City of Alpharetta is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.  All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender (including identity or expression), marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or any other protected classification as defined by applicable law (except as limited by Employee Manual & Benefits Handbook or bona fide occupational qualifications).

In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the City of Alpharetta is committed to providing a safe, quality-oriented and productive work environment consistent with the standards of the community in which it serves. Alcohol and drug abuse poses a threat to the health and safety of City’s employees and to the security of the City’s equipment and facilities. For these reasons, the City is committed to the elimination of drug and alcohol use and abuse in the workplace.

Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects qualified individuals with disabilities from employment discrimination. Under the ADA, a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. The physical demands described within the job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In compliance with the ADA, the City of Alpharetta will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $49,161 - $78,657