Public Safety Dispatcher I

Definition

Under general supervision of the Public Safety Communications Shift Supervisor receives and dispatches calls and messages for police, fire and/or emergency medical services, maintains radio contact with mobile units, and researches and verifies information requested by public safety staff. Positions in this job class are subject to working evenings, weekends and holidays . This job class is treated as FLSA Non-exempt.

Essential Functions : (Essential functions may vary among positions, but may include the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, skills, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions in this classification).

Examples of Tasks

Tasks :

1. Receives emergency and non-emergency calls, including enhanced 9-1-1, and non-emergency calls from the community, dispatchers, and public safety agencies via telephone, radio systems and CAD systems.

2. Answers and evaluates incoming calls (by phone or radio) for police or fire/emergency medical services.

3. Determines the priority of the call, sometimes within the first few seconds of conversation, and decides whether units should be dispatched to the scene.

4. Hears and comprehends radio communication, even in adverse conditions including but not limited to the outside noise at the scene where the unit is, background noise at the dispatch location, radio interference from outside sources, and field personnel not speaking clearly or loudly enough.

5. Monitors emergency and general support radio frequencies with police, fire, and corrections personnel.

6. Accurately recalls details and procedures and applies them instantly in emergency situations.

7. Makes sound decisions and quickly reacts positively under stressful conditions which may entail the life or wellbeing of a Community member, general public, or first responder who is in danger.

8. Using a computer or written log, documents the time and nature of each call received, which unit(s) responded, the action taken, and the disposition of the call.

9. Responds to non-emergency inquiries from the public by providing such information as the phone numbers and local department information appropriate to their need, general information regarding traffic tickets, incidents, and accident reports and the responsible officer.

10. Operates the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer terminal to enter/request law enforcement information.

11. Contacts, or assists in contacting on-call personnel/other agencies such as housing, SRP water and electrical services, medical air evacuation provider, and child protective services. Notifies a hospital when the medics/ambulance are transporting a patient and ascertain whether the hospital would be able to handle/receive more patients.

12. May testify in court as required regarding decisions made and actions taken.

13. Processes incoming computer messages from other criminal justice agencies and responds with requested information or re-directs callers to the appropriate agency.

14. Keeps current on job specific procedures through training and observing departmental communications memos, directives and general orders.

15. Verifies, enters, updates, and/or deletes the following kinds of information into the Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS): missing persons or runaways; stolen, recovered, and/or abandoned vehicles; assists Police Officers in retrieving information from the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system/ACJIS; e.g., a subject's personal information, description, present/last known address, vehicle, and any prior incidents or contacts with police officers.

16. Ask vital questions and direct callers with pre-arrival instructions to patients and involved parties of fire, medical and police emergencies.

17. Assess callers to interpret, analyze and anticipate situations to resolve problems, provide information, dispatch emergency services or refer callers to other agencies.

18. Operates Enhanced 9-1-1 telephone system including TDD (telephone for hearing impaired) and CENS (Community Emergency Notification System).

19. Participate in training less experienced dispatchers in proper operation of technical systems and performing other job tasks.

20. Performs other job related tasks that facilitate departmental functions, as assigned by the supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics :

• Knowledge of the history, culture, laws, rules, customs and traditions of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
• Knowledge of the names and locations of homes and businesses in the Community.
• Knowledge of the emergency services and other resources provided by cities adjacent to the Community.
• Knowledge of English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Knowledge of general Police and Fire Department operations.
• Knowledge of police, medical, and fire codes and related jargon.

• Skill in recalling details and events in chronological order
• Skill in making decisions under stressful conditions and determining the appropriate priorities.
• Skill in operating communications equipment (multi-line telephones, base radio, computer terminals, teletype equipment) quickly and accurately.
• Skill in remaining calm and calming others in emergency situations so that necessary information related to the emergency can be obtained and relayed.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with state, federal, and local law enforcement officers, other staff, and the public.
• Skill in providing accurate and effective verbal directions
• Skill in creating and maintaining accurate automated and manual logs and other records of public safety activities

• Ability to hear and understand speech via oral, phone and radio transmissions
• Ability to shut out extraneous information from other radio channels and coworkers, while selectively listening to information recognized as crucial.
• Ability to cope with emotionally tense situations.
• Ability to perform several tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Ability to type 35 WPM.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally both orally and in writing.
• Ability to distinguish between emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Ability to concentrate and complete tasks in the presence of distractions.
• Ability to distinguish the full range of color spectrum.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time, wear headset, and operate foot pedal or transmit button while working.
• Ability to lift, move, or carry objects or materials weighing up to 30 pounds for short distances.
• Ability to utilize visual and muscular dexterity to operate community equipment (computer-aided dispatch equipment, telephones and radios).
• Ability to report back to the worksite for emergency staffing when not scheduled for shift.
• Ability to enter data or information into a terminal, PC or other keyboard device using repetitive hand/eye movements.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience: Graduation from high school or GED and experience equivalent to one year of office support work including public contact, computer literacy, and data entry.

Special Qualifications: Successful completion of Police Department background investigation, polygraph and psychological examinations, and must satisfactorily pass a CritiCall assessment. Must successfully pass an oral board assessment. Must pass a one (1) year probationary period.

Must Obtain and maintain Level A terminal operator certification (T.O.C.), APCO or equivalent Basic Telecommunicator certification within six (6) months of hire.

Must obtain and maintain Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification within twelve (12) months of hire.

Will be required to complete advanced training courses within the NENA Excellence in Dispatch certificate program, etc., including Communications Training Officer.

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of experience and education that will allow the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be considered when filling the position.

Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill.

Special Requirements

Positions in this job class are subject to working a rotating schedule which include nights, weekends and holidays.

Ability to work in a Public Safety (police and fire/ems) Communication Center environment.

Ability to work overtime when required to include evenings, nights, weekends and holidays to maintain 24-hour coverage of the emergency dispatch system.

To be considered a Lateral applicant, you must have a minimum of twenty-four (24) months experience in a public safety communications (Police, Fire, Medical) dispatch position within the last forty-eight (48) months. Basic Telecommunicator Certification(s) at time of hire. Lateral applicants are not required to take the CritiCall Test.

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check.

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified : Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods:

1) attach to application

2) fax (480) 362-5860

3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.

Documentation must be received by position closing date.

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted .

Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.