Police Dispatcher

POLICE DISPATCHER

REPORTS TO: Communications Director

SUPERVISES: Non-supervisory position

DEFINITION:

The Communications Dispatcher dispatches emergency and non-emergency equipment and personnel for user agencies in response to calls-for-service including police, fire, and animal control services; provides information to the public; provides information to the user agencies.

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

Essential Functions:

- Receives telephone complaints concerning crimes and police emergencies and dispatches appropriate police patrol units by radio to investigate. Relays instructions and questions for field units.

- Receives telephone information concerning fire and medical emergencies and dispatches appropriate fire and ambulance units by radio. Relays instructions and questions from field units.

- Receives telephone complaints concerning animals and dispatches appropriate animal control units to investigate. Relays instructions and questions from field units.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

- Ability to type 35 words per minute.

- Ability to maintain good working relationships in servicing all levels of City government and user agencies.

- Ability to successfully work within the City’s philosophy of customer service.

- Ability to clearly read, write and spell in English.

- Ability in projecting a clear, distinct speaking voice.

- Ability to work under pressure in response to emergency situations.

- Good interpersonal communications and public contact skills.

- Ability to read and interpret maps.

- Ability to work rotating shift/hours, including nights, holidays and weekends.

- Ability to pass drug test

- - Ability to successfully complete one year probationary period.

- Ability to successfully complete the MULES certification training within six months of hire date.

- Ability to maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting for extended periods of time and operating assigned dispatch equipment.

- Ability to communicate with others and to assimilate and understand information, in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.

- Ability to make sound decisions in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

- Receives and transmits the above information by operating communication consoles, two-way radio, telephone, paging, various computers, fire department pagers and intrusion alarm equipment.

- Maintains appropriate records, computer data base, maps, diagrams, and written procedures relating to such activities.

Related Functions:

- Prepare special reports as may be required.

- Assists Chief of Police, Patrol Officers and Communications Director in projects as needed.

- Maintains accurate logs relating to criminal history, calls-for-service, and other related reports.

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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate the possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

- High school graduate or GED. and

- One year of successful full-time responsible experience performing work where the essential functions of the job involved public contracts, computer usage, or heavy telephone traffic.

MULES certified prefered.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work in an office environment; sustained posture and intense attentiveness for prolonged periods.

Pay: $16.50 - $18.00 per hour

Work Location: In person