911 Telecommunicator

Position Summary

Telecommunicators dispatch for police, fire, and paramedics, and are responsible for receiving all emergency and non-emergency calls, processing the information, assessing the needs, and then dispatching the appropriate public safety resource for a response. Work activities include answering emergency and non-emergency telephone lines, determining the needs of the caller, operating radio equipment and alerting/dispatching police and fire-rescue units to locations where assistance is required, keeping track of the status and location of on duty police and fire-rescue units, in cases of life-threatening medical calls provide the caller with lifesaving instructions to assist the victim, monitor police station alarm systems and control visitor access by monitoring cameras at entrances and controlling locks at external and interior door entries.

Key Responsibilities

• Receives calls reporting emergencies or non-emergencies and determines what action is necessary.
• Alerts Dispatch Police and/or Fire-Rescue units to incidents requiring assistance.
• Keeps track of the status of on duty Police and Fire-Rescue units and their location when on a call.
• Supports Police and Fire-Rescue field units requests for information/assistance by accessing available data bases or information resources and requesting other agencies/services respond as necessary.
• For calls involving life threatening emergency medical situations and when the caller is willing, provides the caller with lifesaving medical instructions to assist the victim.
• Monitors Station Alarm systems and control visitor access by use of video camera monitoring equipment, and use of door lock release switches in the Communications Center.
• Searches, retrieves, changes, and updates information filed in several computer systems.
• Trains new personnel and documents their progress on Daily Observation reports.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• Applicant must hold a high school degree or GED equivalent.
• Possession of a valid State of Florida Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification, greatly preferred.
• Must have a passing score of 80% or higher on the Criticall Testing software.
• One year experience in a dispatch center as an emergency call taker and emergency services dispatcher preferred.
• Knowledge of the OSSI Computer Aided Dispatch system, and FCIC/NCIC computer system preferred.
• Certifications needed are CPR, National Academy of Emergency Dispatch, Florida Crime Information Center/CJNET required within 6 months of hire.

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to read and interpret text in books, charts, publications, equipment instructions, and information displayed on computer terminals.
• Ability to view a computer terminal for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work long periods of time, day or night, weekends, and shift work.
• Knowledge of communications management, technical design and application, FCC rules and regulations, and computer operations.
• Knowledge and operation of a complex telephone system, an 800 MHz trunking radio system, and a computer interface system with the Florida and National Crime Information Centers.

This is a non-exempt position paid on an hourly basis which is eligible for overtime.

The Town of Palm Beach offers a compressive benefits package that includes health, prescription, dental and other supplementary benefits. Refer to the General Employees Benefits page and Retirement Guide for more information on these programs.