Communications Officer (911 Dispatcher)

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under general supervision, the incumbent operates various communications equipment, answers and processes emergency and non-emergency calls, and dispatches public safety units.

• Monitor emergency and general support radio frequencies.
• Receive emergency (911) and non-emergency calls from the public, communicate with law enforcement agencies via multi-line telephones, walk-ins, and radio system.
• Record and route emergency calls to appropriate authorities.
• Determine priorities of all calls and dispatches required units to non-emergency situations.
• Receive radio calls from Police, Fire and EMS field units.
• Transmit messages via radio, telephone, computer, fax, or other communication equipment.
• Make inquiries via ACJIS to obtain requested information or services.
• Maintain status and location control of Police, Fire, and EMS units and direct them to the scene of non-emergency situations.
• Use various computer systems for data entry and information retrieval CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) .
• Create and maintains daily log of public safety communications activities.
• Receive non-emergency and emergency calls for police, fire, emergency medical, and animal control assistance.
• Gather needed information on the nature of the call, details of the emergency, and determine appropriate response
• Prioritize, direct, and log police, fire, and medical calls and dispatches units accordingly.
• Record call information and track unit status into the computer-aided dispatching system.
• Provide detailed call information to respond personnel and pre-arrival instructions for callers.
• Effectively communicate in person, over the phone, and over the radio, track information received accurately.
• Notify or contact other agencies, key personnel, resources, or support services as needed.
• Utilize or monitor multiple computer systems simultaneously.
• Maintain confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
• Complete records search, data entry, and clearing of information maintained by the Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS), National Crime Information Center (NCIC) databases, and agency computer systems/databases.
• Support of the Operations of the Communications Center.
• Provide customer service in person, by phone, and through correspondence.
• Provide clerical support, including typing of final report drafts, filing, transcribing minutes, preparing correspondence for mailing, making copies of files, and meeting and presentation materials.
• Perform other duties as assigned

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Will possess knowledge of:

• Law enforcement terminology, codes, and procedures.
• Proper use and care of radio and telephone equipment.
• Rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission covering the operation of radio receivers and transmitters.
• The operation of communication equipment including radio, telephone, and automated information systems.
• Rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission applicable to the operation of radio receivers and transmitters.
• The principles and practices of emergency dispatching.
• Applicable Federal/State/County/City/agency laws, ordinances, and regulations.
• Principles and practices of effective employee management and supervision.
• Computers and specialized hardware and software for preparing reports and maintaining records.

Will possess the ability to:

• Operate communications equipment, including radio, telephone, and automated information systems.
• Communicate clearly and concisely and accurately, relaying details.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and interact with the public.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Handle multiple projects simultaneously and use good judgment in prioritizing work assignments.
• Effectively communicate verbal and written instructions by phone, police radio system or in person in a group or one-to-one setting.
• Think and act quickly and effectively in emergencies and under stressful situations.
• Type 30 words per minute.
• Successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation and polygraph.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education, Training, and Experience:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent and
• One (1) year as police dispatcher or equivalent clerical experience.
• The ability to type accurately at 30 words per minute (WPM) and 4606 keystrokes per minute (KPH) proficiently. Must have the ability to monitor emergency and general support radio frequencies.

Licenses and Certifications:
All required licenses and certifications must be maintained throughout employment.

• A valid Arizona driver's license at the time of appointment.
• Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) - Terminal Operator Certification (TOC). (Recertification every year).

Special Requirements:

• Residency in the United States and within 25 miles of the City San Luis.
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including Christmas, New Year’s and other holidays. This position works rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

Desired/Preferred:

• San Luis residency
• Bilingual in Spanish

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 30 pounds unaided. Employees must be physically capable of operating City vehicles, for job-related purposes, safely. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a fast paced, high volume call center environment; incumbents must remain alert and responsive while coordinating stressful situations in a fluid and dynamic environment for uninterrupted periods of time. May occasionally be required to bend, reach, stoop, and lift objects.