Public Safety Communications Dispatcher

• Preliminary Interview Form
• Skills Testing
• Interviews
• Personal History Statement (25 pages)
• Background Investigation
• Polygraph Examination
• Psychological Evaluation
• Health Assessment and Drug Screen

Responsible for answering all incoming emergency 911 calls using a computer-aided dispatch system to assist police, firefighters, paramedics, and animal services officers, answering incoming administrative lines, and giving pre-arrival medical instructions to callers. 

• Answers incoming 911, TTY emergency and non-emergency calls. Prioritizes calls and determines proper routing utilizing established guidelines and operating procedures
• Assigns calls and report numbers
• Dispatches animal services officers, police officers, firefighters, and ambulance services to calls for service
• Evaluates information to determine jurisdiction, equipment, and personnel to be dispatched
• Confirms warrants for internal and external agencies
• Monitors multiple radio channels and dispatches appropriate public safety personnel.
• Ensures dispatch of officer requests for back-up or traffic-related assistance, etc.
• Provides pre-arrival instructions for emergency medical calls and relays vital information to hospital emergency rooms when necessary
• Maintains the accurate status of each officer on patrol, firefighters, EMS, and animal services personnel, including times in and out of service and locations
• Documents all 800 MHz radio transmissions
• Runs wanted and/or stolen checks through the National and Texas computer systems for outstanding warrants or other Information. Confirms and relays information to originating officers
• Inputs and monitors teletype information, protective orders, and missing person reports from applicable regional, state, and national databases
• Sends teletypes, which includes entering, clearing, canceling, along with validating computer entries
• Obtains a variety of information for officers and/or applicable external police agencies, which may include: driver's license information, criminal histories, property information, and/or other related information 
• Maintains familiarity with major streets, public buildings, industrial plants, and the general geographic layout of the City of Denton, Texas including reading and understanding maps
• Maintains regular and punctual on-site attendance

Additional Duties:Minimum Qualifications/Acceptable Equivalency:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• Must be able to type at least 40 words per minute corrected

OR Core Competencies:

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to form and maintain effective relationships with coworkers and customers

 Preferences:

• Bilingual in Spanish and English
• Prior experience as a Telecommunicator in a Law Enforcement Center

 Conditions of Employment:

• Must pass a drug test, credit history check, criminal history background check, and social security number verification check
• Must pass the CritiCall Skills Assessment
• Must attend and successfully complete in-service training schools
• Must obtain NCIC Telecommunicator Certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification, TCIC/NCIC Certification and TCOLE Certification within one (1) year of employment.
• Must have no Class A or Class B misdemeanor convictions in the past (10) years
• Must have no felony convictions
• Must pass polygraph exam, psychological exam, and credit check
• Must pass a hearing test
• Must pass a typing test with 40 words per minute corrected
• Must meet civilian hiring standards of the Denton Police Department
• A personal history statement must be submitted with each application (thorough background check)
• Must be able to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Please note Public Safety Dispatchers and Non-civil service Fire Department employees that are under the age of 36 at the time they are hired will be placed in the Fire Pension Plan.

 Physical Requirements:
Overall Strength Demands:  The italicized word describes the overall strength demand of the functions performed by the incumbent during a typical workday.
•    Sedentary – lifting no more than 10 pounds
•    Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carry up to 10 pounds
•    Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds, carry up to 25 pounds
•    Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds, carry up to 50 pounds
•    Very Heavy – lifting more than 100 pounds, carry more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes:  The following describes if the incumbent is expected to exert the following physical demands during a typical workday and the overall frequency.
 

Codes for “how often”:
 Y = Yes
N = No
E = extensive (100-70%)
M = moderate (60-30%)
I = infrequent (20-10%)
A = almost never (<10%)

Task: Code:
1.    Standing: M
2.    Sitting: E
3.    Walking: M
4.    Lifting: I
5.    Carrying: I
6.    Pushing/Pulling: A
7.    Overhead Work: I
8.    Fine Dexterity: A
9.    Kneeling: M
10.    Crouching: I
11.    Crawling: A
12.    Bending: A
13.    Twisting: A
14.    Climbing: M
15.    Balancing: I
16.    Vision: E
17.    Hearing: E
18.    Talking: E
19.    Video Display: E
20.    Other:  
 

Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids:
The essential functions of this position require the use of a computer and telephone daily in order to dispatch calls.

Environmental Factors:
The essential functions of this position are performed inside throughout the work year; requires shift work on a rotating basis, and incumbents are exposed to extremely high stress situations.