Public Safety Dispatcher

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:

• Answers and manages calls to allow effective communication and response of emergency responders (i.e., police, fire, emergency medical services (EMS)) for citizens during emergency situations.

• Provides information and referrals to citizens, public safety personnel, media, etc. by responding to calls involving non-emergency situations.

• Operates technology-based work station that includes multiple video monitors, multiple software programs running simultaneously, a personal computer, phone lines, headsets, and alarm boards in order to receive, forward, and monitor calls for services.

• Dispatches public safety personnel (i.e., police, fire, and medical emergency) and informs responding units of pertinent information regarding emergency situations.

• Monitors responses of public safety personnel and activities of other dispatchers to track progress, maintain communications, and ensure personnel safety.

• Accesses and maintains suspect and/or incident information by running database queries, updating databases, completing reports/logs, and filing documentation.

• Monitors the functions of the detention center and ensures inmate safety and well-being.

• Trains new employees, interns, or temporary employees how to perform the job to ensure employees are able to appropriately handle emergency calls and provide citizen and emergency personnel with necessary information.

• Performs miscellaneous duties such as attending meetings, handling incoming and outgoing monies for reports, monitoring the weather, and updating information.

• Engages in activities designed to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices, rules, laws, policies, and/or guidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in a customer service-oriented position (e.g., interacting with people, providing information and/or a service). 

• No felony convictions or misdemeanors involving violent offenses or issues of moral turpitude.

• Willing to submit to a general and criminal background check. 

• Willing to work an 8- or 12-hour shift on any shift or day (e.g., nights, weekends, holidays) and overtime as needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferred qualifications are experiences, education, and/or other job-related qualifications considered to be highly desirable by Merit System agencies. The preferred qualifications may be used by the hiring agency to identify applicants to invite to participate in subsequent selection processes.

• Experience as a public safety dispatcher.

• Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification.

• Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) certification. 

• Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD) certification.

• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification.

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.