What are the responsibilities and job description for the 911 Emergency Dispatcher position at cyfairfd-employment?
Cy-Fair Fire Department is currently hiring for 911 Emergency Dispatcher
Objectives:
1.01 The Cy-Fair Fire Department (CFFD) shall define the position, duties, and minimum requirements for each rank in the Department.
Title: Dispatcher
Selection: Selected by the District Chief - Communications and, Approved by the Assistant Chief - Administration
Reports to: Dispatch Supervisor
Positions Supervised: N/A
Definitions
2.01 International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) – Standard setting organization for the field of emergency dispatch. Develops and maintains dispatch protocols and curriculum for member use in response to emergency calls for help.
Responsibilities
Essential Behavioral Expectations
- All personnel are expected to use professional courtesy, discretion and sound judgment when engaging in any contact with co-workers, members of the public, vendors, visitors and/or other personnel.
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Personnel are also responsible for but not limited to, the following behavioral expectations: maintaining confidentiality of business knowledge and personnel information, maintaining professional relationships while engaging in job-related tasks, cooperating with others to resolve conflict and achieve goals, and maintaining a pleasant attitude while leaving personal business or issues/problems outside the workplace.
- Maintain the physical and mental health necessary to perform assigned duties
Physical Demands:
- The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met or are encountered by a member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hand to finger movement, handle, or feel objects. Approximately 90% of duties performed are in a seated position in a secure Communications Center. There is limited opportunity for physical movement. The employee must reach with hands and arms, talk and hear.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus. Individuals must sit while observing a computer display screen under low lighting conditions for long, uninterrupted periods.
- Work up to twelve (12) hours or longer at a time continuously wearing a communications headset that will cover one ear or fit within the ear canal of one ear and be able to still hear and understand other outside sound sources not coming to the earpiece.
Required Experience and/or Qualifications:
All personnel in good standing, and with the following qualifications, are eligible:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- Preference given to candidates with at least 1 year of public safety experience
Desired Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Problems Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully and makes decisions based on research experience and within the scope of their responsibility, follows chain of command; develops alternative solutions; able and willing to comply with all rules, policies, regulations and procedures whether in agreement or not; follows chain-of-command and contacts appropriate supervisor as needed.
- Technical Skills - Records names and numbers rapidly and accurately and quickly recalls details and essential information; able to use reference materials (books, charts, maps, manuals, etc.) effectively and efficiently.
- Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional caller situations; responds promptly to caller’s needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments; remains calm, showing empathy, conveying reassurance and instilling confidence in the caller that the dispatcher’s demeanor will result in proper response to their needs.
- Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting. Treats people with respect even when under pressure; inspires trust by keeping commitments, maintaining confidentiality and supporting everyone’s efforts to succeed; able to accept criticism objectively and in a constructive way; maintain emotional control and objectivity while directly involved in high stress situations; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things; uses work time in an efficient and productive manner; shares experience with others; maintain confidentiality in all manners relating to information obtained during the course of employment; ability to accept criticism objectively.
- Communications Oral/Written - Ability to provide a positive representation of Communications Center via personal, telephonic and written means; speaks English clearly, rapidly, and concisely in a well-modulated voice, and uses good diction; possess good listening comprehension skills; hear and clearly understand English over telephone and radio circuits. Responds well to questions; possess the ability to consistently think clearly; act quickly; and calmly in a wide variety of situations; writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions; able to read and interpret complex oral and written instructions; ability to perform several tasks simultaneously; work as a “team-member” and establish good working relationships.
- Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities. Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
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Ethics - Treats people with respect; even when under pressure; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values
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Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; supports organization’s goals and values; comply with all lawful rules, policies, regulations and procedures whether in agreement or not.
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Judgment - Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; deal with abstract situations and apply common sense solutions; displays willingness to make decisions. Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decisions- making process; makes timely decisions; exercise good judgment and make sound decisions when dealing with workplace conflict
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Professionalism - approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments; maintain Communications Center high standards for professionalism even in the absence of reciprocal behavior.
- Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thorough quality of work; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality
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Quantity - Meets productivity standards; completes work in a timely manner; strives to increase productivity; works quickly
- Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly
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Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events
- Attendance/Punctuality - Regular and consistent attendance is a condition of employment; able and willing to work any day of the week, weekends, and /or holidays; able and willing to work any shift (days, swing, graveyard, or other variation) and to change work hours when required; able and willing to attend mandatory training and meetings after normal work hours; maintains regular and predictable attendance; arrives at meetings and appointments on time
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Dependability - Follows managements direction and takes responsibility for own actions and completes tasks in a timely manner; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; consistently able to get to work at odd times, (days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays)
- Initiative - Undertakes self-development activities; assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; seeks increased responsibilities; takes independent actions and calculated risks; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; asks for and offers help when needed; pursues training or development that would enhance productivity
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Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
- Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention; sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals
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Work multiple time sensitive tasks and issues in response to visual and sound stimuli with a high degree of accuracy
- Ability to type while speaking with callers
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Knowledge of the geography of all agencies served including the location of streets, important structures and landmarks
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Have knowledge of basic computer data entry
Education/Degrees:
Possession of a high school diploma or an appropriate equivalent
Certifications/Licenses:
- Must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Texas, with an acceptable driving record.
- Must have a current CPR card from the American Heart Association or the ability to obtain within 30 days
- Possession of EMD and EFD Certification through the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED), or the ability to obtain during the probationary period.
- NIMS 100, 200, 700,800, or the ability to obtain during the probationary period.
Guidelines
Essential Job Functions – Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with Department Standard Operating Guidelines, including Bulletins, Memos, Safety guidelines, Personnel Handbook and Chief’s Orders.
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
- Must respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance and information
- Must provide dispatch and communication support services for fire, EMS, and related services
- Using computer systems and dispatching equipment to communicate and coordinate activity with EMS and fire units, as well as with other agencies.
- Operate a multi-frequency radio and computer-aided dispatch system (CAD)
- Monitor radios and process requests from on scene commanders and other personnel.
- Continuously monitor tactical channel incidents to process requests from on scene commanders or other personnel.
- Monitor apparatus status for timely response and availability for response.
- Maintaining concise records of all dispatching activities, including unit assignments
- Receive, screen and prioritize emergency and non-emergency telephone calls for service from the public
- Dispatching peripheral assistance, including law enforcement, utility companies, and county agencies.
- Perform general dispatch duties, including:
- Communicate information to other dispatchers (on shift and oncoming shift) and field staff as necessary, such as but not limited to:
- Hospital Diversion status
- Apparatus in/out of service, including manned resources
- Problems with Communications equipment or supplies
- Problems with radio equipment
- Accidents or Injuries
- Other Pertinent information to assist future shifts, field staff, or command staff
- Communicate information to other dispatchers (on shift and oncoming shift) and field staff as necessary, such as but not limited to:
Perform daily duties to maintain Communications center, such as but not limited to:
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- Empty trash
- Vacuum
- Dust
- Clean work stations
- Clean break room and kitchen.
- Sleeping will NOT be permitted while on duty as a dispatcher.
- Be responsible for maintaining a professional work environment in the Communications Center. This includes restriction of unnecessary personnel from the Communications Center.
- Maintain Communications equipment and supplies
- Assist in preparing records and reports
- Maintain excellent working relationships with employees, volunteers, outside agencies.
- Complete mandated Greater Harris County 911 training
- Maintain certifications and training as required by Department and IAED.
- Other duties as assigned
Cy-Fair FD has the right to consider any combination of education and experience in determining an individual’s qualification for this position.
Compensation:
Pay Rate: $23.30
Longevity: $0.20/hr. Regular hours, $0.30/hr. Overtime hours – per year of service with CFFD
Education Bonus:
Associate’s Degree: $0.55/hr. Approximately $1,200 annually, not including overtime.
Bachelor’s Degree: $0.83/hr. Approximately $1,800 annually, not including overtime.
Master’s/Doctorate Degree: $1.10/hr. Approximately $2,400 annually, not including overtime.
Benefits:
Retirement:
TCDRS Pension: 7% employee contribution 14% employer contribution
457B Voluntary retirement account, Employer will match up to 3%
Annual Leave:
84 Hours Vacation* /84 Hours Sick / 120 Hours Holiday
*Accrual increases every 2 or 3 years depending on length of service
Insurance:
Medical benefits are offered thru Blue Cross Blue Shield.
PPO HSA $5,000: The department covers 100% of the employee premium and 90% for family.
The department makes a quarterly contribution towards the HSA account.
Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability and Life Insurance
The CFFD covers 90% of the employee premium and 70% for family for dental and vision.
The CFFD pays 100% of the premiums for Short Term Disability.
The CFFD pays 100% of the premiums for Long Term Disability.
The CFFD pays 100% of the premiums for a $50,000 Life Insurance policy.
Supplemental Insurance:
Aflac is available with 100% being paid by the employee.
Additional Life insurance is available with 100% being paid by the employee.
To Apply: Visit www.cyfairfd.org and click on the Join Our Team tab/Career.
It is the policy of the Cy-Fair Fire Department to subject all applicants to the following:
Medical physical and drug testing
Background screening; includes criminal record search, employment verification, sanction screening (NHDB), sex offender registry search
Posting closes: June 15, 2024
Tentative Testing: June 19, 2024 - June 21, 2024
Salary : $23