DISPATCHER

Description

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To provide emergency and general service to the public while ensuring officer safety; to receive and dispatch calls for police, fire and EMS; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from Police Sergeant or higher level supervisory staff.

Exercises no supervision.

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS - Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

1. Receive emergency service calls from the public requesting law enforcement, fire, ambulance or other emergency service; determine nature, location and priority of emergency; dispatch emergency units as necessary or route calls to the appropriate department.
2. Maintain contact with all units on assignment using a two-way radio; maintain status and location of law enforcement and fire units; maintain daily log of all field calls and units dispatched.
3. Assist Department personnel and the public in person and by phone; provide general information regarding Department policies, procedures and regulations.
4. Monitor prisoners for medical emergencies and transfer purposes; may provide matron duties for female prisoners as needed.
5. Input and retrieve information using a personal city owned computer with state and national networks; dispatch paperwork and process inquiries; access vehicle registration and driver’s license files.
6. Monitor, receive, disseminate and transmit information for the Police Department and other agencies; receive and send teletypes to other agencies for warrants, stolen items and various other inquiries. 
7. Monitor alarm boards, National Weather Service, CB emergency channel and teletype; notify appropriate personnel as needed.
8. Gather information and prepare supplemental reports as assigned.
9. Record warrants, pawn tickets, firearm registration cards and other data as needed.
10. Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
11. Perform matron duties as needed.

Marginal Functions:

1. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of police dispatching.
2. Perform a variety of special projects as assigned.
3. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Requirements

Knowledge of:

Procedures of security and dispatch systems.

Principles of law enforcement protocol involving confidentiality.

Basic principles and procedures of record keeping.

Operations, services and activities of the City.

English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Basic problem solving techniques.

Modern officer procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Geography and surrounding area of the City.

Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions necessary in the work.

Ability to:

Respond to emergency and non-emergency situations from the general public.

Prepare clear and concise reports.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Process information and make sound decisions in emergency situations.

Type at a speed necessary for successfully job performance.

Deal and cope with high levels of stress.

Interpret City maps and geographical locations.

Maintain confidentiality of material in various situations.

Be sensitive to defendants regarding alleged offenses.

Interpret and apply federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.

Act quickly and calmly in emergencies.

Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.

Follow all safety rules and regulations of the Police Department.

Interpret, explain, and enforce departmental polices and procedures.

Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following:

• Standing or sitting for extended periods of time
• Operating office equipment including computer, copier and telephones
• Communicating on the telephone for extended periods of time

Maintain mental capacity which permits:

• Making sound decisions and using good judgment
• Communicating clearly
• Responding to questions
• Thinking clearly in emergency situations.

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

• Making observations
• Communicating with others
• Reading and writing
• Operating assigned equipment
• Answering questions
• Speaking in a clear and audible voice
• effectively working with numbers

Effectively handle a work environment and conditions which involve:

• Working closely with others
• Working with the public

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Prior responsible police dispatch experience is preferred but not required.

Training:

Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade.

License or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, NCIC terminal operators permit.

Possession of, or ability to obtain Emergency Medical Dispatch Certificate.

Possession of, or ability to obtain Emergency Fire Dispatch Certificate.

Possession of, or ability to obtain IPAWS Certification.

Possession of, or ability to obtain NIMS 100 & 700 Certification.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions:

Office environment; emergency peace control environment; exposure to computer screens. May work in stressful situations.

Physical Conditions:

Essential and marginal functions and other important responsibilities and duties may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of time; general manual dexterity; ability to distinguish color.