Public Safety Dispatcher

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position assists the public in dispatching Police, Fire, or Emergency Medical Services; and to provide callers with instructions until the requested service can arrive on scene.

PRIMARY JOB TASKS:

• Operates a countywide communication system.
• Receives calls for service, inquiries and requests assistance from Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
• Collects pertinent information from callers and disseminates that information to responding units or agencies.
• Determines the priority level of requests for services and mitigates those calls that can be handled without department resources to a response; dispatches personnel and equipment by radio to accidents, crimes, disturbances, etc.
• Maintains status and awareness of police, fire or other City personnel and activities and monitors alarms; provides information to personnel as needed.
• Enters, maintains and validates computer entries, inquiries and teletypes through the National Criminal Information Center (NCIC), and monitors NCIC for teletypes from other agencies.
• Inputs warrants, orders of protection and trespassing orders in the Records Management System.
• Requests driver history reports and driver license photos through the Tennessee Criminal Information Center (TCIC) for arrests or investigative purposes; enters orders of protection in the NCIC.
• Processes all paperwork, data entry and alert notifications for all missing persons, stolen vehicles, arrested individuals, etc.
• Answers non-emergency telephone calls and requests for information from the public on laws, ordinances and various locations in the County.
• Takes after-hours calls for the Electric Department and Public Works and calls out the appropriate on-call personnel.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of City, State and Federal laws, rules and regulations regarding emergency communications and criminal justice information systems.
• Knowledge of equipment utilized in police communications including radio console, telephone and computer-aided dispatch equipment.
• Knowledge of personal computers, hardware and software.
• Knowledge of police patrol and fire response procedures.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn City geography.
• Skill in quickly and accurately obtaining pertinent information.
• Skill in operating a base radio station and utilizing radio codes and phonetic alphabet.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to maintain accurate and legible notes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and perform word processing and/or data entry.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSING, AND CERTIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma/equivalent.
• Must obtain NCIC Certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Must obtain APCO Telecommunicator Certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Must pass department background and criminal history checks.

Position involves rotating shift work. Applicants will go through various selection steps including appearing before an oral interview board, background and criminal history check, psychological evaluation, and a medical examination and drug screening.