What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Safety Dispatcher/911 position at City of Grand Island, NE?
Perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in receiving incoming calls for public safety emergency assistance and the dispatching of necessary units; receive non-emergency after-hour calls for the City and County departments; and monitor teletype communications.
Essential Functions
Display honest, trustworthy, and ethical behavior when dealing with internal and external customers.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Regular attendance that is punctual and dependable is required.
Receive emergency and non-emergency calls from the public requesting police, sheriff, fire, ambulance or other public safety services; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priority and dispatch emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures; use a variety of telecommunications equipment to dispatch, page or otherwise communicate with emergency personnel from various agencies as necessary.
Maintain contact with subjects requesting medical assistance; provide instructions until responding unit arrives at scene.
Maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of field units; maintain daily log of calls and units dispatched.
Enter, update and retrieve information from teletype networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information; type and transmit broadcasts to state agencies.
Receive information regarding hazardous weather watches and warnings; dispatch information to appropriate personnel in a four county area; activate indoor and outdoor warning systems during adverse weather.
Answer City and County switchboard and direct calls appropriately; answer non-emergency public service calls for assistance; answer maintenance service emergencies during evenings, on weekends and holidays; dispatch appropriate on-call City or County staff.
Monitor security, fire, flood, generator and miscellaneous alarms for various agencies and businesses.
Perform data entry and routine clerical work; perform filing, typing and minor machine maintenance; test and inspect equipment as required; notify supervisor in case of equipment malfunction or failure.
Coordinate activities with those of other public safety agencies and provide information or assistance as necessary.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Basic Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations governing operation of radio telephone transmitting and receiving systems.
Standard radio broadcasting and dispatch procedures and rules.
Policies and procedures used in receiving, processing and dispatching emergency calls.
Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.
Ability to:
Learn the geographic features and streets within the area served.
Operate radio or telecommunications receiving and transmitting equipment.
Follow standard radio broadcasting procedures and rules.
Learn department procedures and policies pertaining to the dispatching of City and County emergency equipment and personnel and those of other user agencies.
Work under pressure, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
Hearing that will allow individual to perform all essential job tasks.
Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
Learn to operate computerized crime center network to receive and dispatch information.
Demonstrate manual dexterity sufficient to operate computer terminal and other common office equipment.
Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
Work various shifts as assigned, including weekends and holidays.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Supplemental Information
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Customer service, dispatching or call center experience is preferred.
Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
License or Certification:Possession of, or ability to obtain, certification in the operation of the National Crime Information Computer within twelve (12) months of hire.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, certification as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher within twelve (12) months of hire.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within twelve (12) months of hire.
Completion of 40 hour Basic Telecommunicator Course within 12 months of hire.
Working Hours:
Must be able to work in a 24/7 work environment including working over the night shift. Position works five days per week which include weekends and holidays.
Residency:
Must reside within a 45 mile radius of the City of Grand Island. Residency is required within six (6) months of date of hire.
Exam:
An exam will be administered to finalists. Finalists will be notified of the testing details.
Salary:
Position will start at the entry level of the City's salary table. Consideration may be given if experience exceeds entry level qualifications.
Other:
Bilingual in Spanish is preferred but not required.
Candidates are subject to a background check.
