Communications Technician

Description

This is responsible communications work for receiving and dispatching emergency calls for the City of Westerville, Fire/EMS calls for Blendon Township, and mutual aid requests from neighboring agencies. Providing appropriate post-dispatch/pre-arrival instructions such as CPR, in order to provide necessary assistance to the caller/patient and control the situation prior to the arrival of emergency responders.

Answers calls from landline 9-1-1 as well as serving the northeast quadrant answering point for wireless calls in Franklin County, the seven digit emergency lines, and additional lines available to the public and after business hours other lines from various City departments.

Conducting appropriate interrogation, controlling the call to obtain and evaluate the information provided to determine what assistance is needed and what type of response should be sent.

Maintaining LEADS terminal and its security, making entries and cancellations into LEADS/NCIC in an accurate manner being certain that information is current and complete.

Please read and review the Westerville Division of Police standards for employment prior to completing application, linked here: https://www.westerville.org/home/showpublisheddocument/36629/637523562369770000 .

SUPERVISION

Under the general supervision of the Communications Supervisor, the Communications Technician is responsible for operating the City’s communication systems to receive and dispatch emergency calls, listening attentively to radio transmissions, and maintaining non-emergency contacts for public assistance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF WORK

• Operate communication systems to receive and dispatch emergency calls for the City of Westerville, Blendon Township, and neighboring agencies; provide post-dispatch/pre-arrival instructions such as CPR to assist callers and control situations until emergency responders arrive; answer calls from landline 9-1-1, wireless calls, seven-digit emergency lines, and other public lines; conduct interrogation to evaluate information and determine necessary assistance and response type; maintain LEADS terminal security, making accurate entries and cancellations in LEADS/NCIC.

• Communicate clearly and effectively under stressful conditions; listen attentively to radio transmissions; attend to information requests from multiple parties; comply with state, federal, and local regulations regarding emergency communications and criminal history information release; maintain continuous communication with police officers and fire personnel during emergency responses; dispatch non-emergency responders after hours based on call type and service request.

• Monitor emergency services radio frequencies and support radios for other city departments; act as an answering point for city departments after hours; serve as a contact for outside resources like Columbia Gas and AEP; maintain non-emergency contacts for public assistance; reply to sensitive information requests from law enforcement agencies and city records.
• Act as call taker, answering emergency calls, determining emergency details through interrogation, providing pre-arrival instructions, and completing offense and complaint records; act as dispatcher, maintaining contact with officers and fire personnel, dispatching responders based on priorities, and ensuring responder safety; act as administrative dispatch, logging call information, using LEADS for checks and messages, and maintaining records of transactions and sensitive information requests.
• Monitor city department radio frequencies and cameras for police and fire facilities; monitor secure doors within the police building; monitor additional frequencies for neighboring agencies; monitor power outages and weather emergencies; dispatch Box15 and NAS-T hazmat response; ensure functionality of radio equipment, CAD system, phones, and other equipment; use Vesta Communicator for notifying emergency personnel; coordinate mutual aid responses with agencies.
• Meet all job safety requirements and all applicable safety standards that pertain to essential functions; must demonstrate regular and predictable attendance; maintain required licenses and/or certifications.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK

• Completion of secondary education or equivalent (high school diploma or GED); and
• Related experience
• Within one (1) year of employment, obtain and maintain an EMD certification and certification from the State of Ohio to operate the criminal computer system and the LEADS computer system. Continuing education and compliance with standards for semi-annual testing of TTY/TDD competence.
• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Ohio driver’s license and must remain insurable under the City’s vehicle insurance policy.
• Any combination of education, training, and/or experience equivalent to the minimum qualifications stated above.

HEALTH BENEFITS
Employees pay 15% of the monthly medical insurance premium through United Healthcare which includes prescription coverage. Employee, Employee plus child(ren), Employee plus spouse and family coverage is available. However, a spouse who has affordable health care coverage through their employer must elect that coverage as primary. The City health care plan is a high deductible healthcare plan.

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT
Annually, the City will deposit 85% of your health insurance deductible amount into an HSA account in your name.

VISION AND DENTAL
The City pays 100% of the premium for dental and vision. Coverage levels will be explained in further detail at time of hire.

LIFE INSURANCE
The City pays 100% of the premium on a $100,000 life insurance policy for employee and $10,000 for spouse and $5,000 for child.

RETIREMENT PENSION
The City contributes 14% monthly toward retirement benefits offered through the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System. The employee pension payment share is 10% of gross salary.

VACATION
New employees accrue two weeks of paid vacation every year. Vacation time increases with length of service time.

PERSONAL LEAVE
Employees receive 6 prorated days of personal leave annually.