Dispatcher

DIVISION: Communications Center STATUS: Bargaining Unit (Non-Command)
POSITION: Dispatcher I FLSA Non-Exempt

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The purpose of this position is to receive routine and emergency calls, prioritize calls, and dispatch personnel as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

In addition to consistent and reliable attendance, the following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Operates telephones, communication equipment, and computers associated with police, fire, and E-911 communications.

Receives, screens, and monitors routine and emergency calls; categorizes and prioritizes calls; dispatches backup units, ambulances, fire fighters, road crews, utility crews, or others as appropriate; conveys information/instructions to caller as necessary to assist until dispatched units arrive on scene; relays pre-arrival medical instructions to assist in lifesaving treatment; communicates effectively and coherently over radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.

Maintains communications with all parties involved in emergency situations; tracks location of police units, fire and ambulance units; assists emergency personnel in locating addresses; conveys information to/from emergency personnel, general public, public safety agencies, utilities, businesses, and other personnel within the department; notifies medical facilities of patients being transported; conveys en-route patient information to hospital staff for emergency personnel.

Monitors radio traffic of surrounding law enforcement, emergency, and non-emergency agencies to maintain an awareness of activities outside primary jurisdiction; responds to all county-wide radio traffic.

Monitors severe weather situations; alerts citizens of severe weather by sounding county-wide sirens and cable television overrides; notifies appropriate staff members, emergency facilities, law enforcement centers, medical facilities, schools, health department officials, and other facilities/agencies of conditions involving severe weather or hazardous material releases.

Conducts or participates in routine equipment testing, radio station identifications, emergency drills, and testing of emergency systems as needed; maintains records.

Monitors bank alarms; responds to business and residential alarm calls; checks for alarm permits.

Operates national and state law enforcement computer systems to retrieve/update criminal information; operates bureau of motor vehicle computer to retrieve motor vehicle/license records; runs inquiries and enters updates on data such as criminal histories, warrants, inmate records, gun permits, driver’s license records, stolen property, or missing/wanted persons.

Performs basic maintenance of computer system and office equipment, such as backing up data or replacing paper, toner, or ribbons; coordinates service/repair activities as needed.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with departmental operations, per established procedures and within designated timeframes; distributes documentation or retains records as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, time sheets, logs, fire run sheets, general orders, lost/found animals, or other documents.

Answers the telephone; evaluates and processes calls; provides information and assistance; takes and relays messages and/or directs calls to appropriate personnel; returns calls as necessary.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Performs light cleaning/housekeeping tasks associated with maintaining work areas.

Provides assistance or backup coverage to other employees or departments as needed.

Performs other related tasks as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma supplemented by six months experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to perform basic level of data analysis including the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize and/or reference data, statutes and/or guidelines

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to persuade, convince, influence, and monitor, in favor of a desired outcome.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as emergency 911 calls, traffic stops, maps, plats, statutes, procedures, guidelines and non-routine correspondence.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; and calculate percentages, and decimals.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems. Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, calibrate, tune and synchronize, and perform complex rapid adjustment on equipment, machinery and tools such as a personal computer and other office machines, and/or related materials used in performing essential functions.

Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of moderately light objects and materials. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

Sensory Requirements: Requires the ability to recognize and identify individual characteristics of colors, shapes and sound associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions, but can be mildly uncomfortable.

Wood County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

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