911 Communications Specialists

Bismarck, City of (ND); Bismarck (ND); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Bismarck in North Dakota is seeking an experienced Emergency Communications Specialist to answer emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch police, fire, rescue and other resources. The role uses an intelligent workstation with CAD, GIS mapping, and radio/telephony tech to ensure rapid and accurate dispatch in critical situations.

Applicants should be skilled in prioritizing events, explaining pre-arrival and post-dispatch instructions, and maintaining precise records.

Qualifications

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with completion of specialized training in the field of work, in addition to basic skills typically associated with a high school education.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain NCIC certification.
• Knowledge of emergency communications principles and practices.
• Knowledge of NCIC policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of emergency dispatch procedures.
• Knowledge of radio and telecommunications equipment.
• Knowledge of CAD system functions and maintenance.
• Skill in the use of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skill in planning, organizing, analyzing, decision making, and problem solving.
• Skill in making decisions in high pressure and emergency situations.
• Skill in public relations.
• Skill in interpersonal relations.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Answers emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatches appropriate personnel.
• Operates CAD, radio and telephony tech to ensure timely dispatch of emergency and support services.
• Receives and responds to calls, interrogates callers, analyzes information, prioritizes events and determines response.
• Dispatches and manages police, fire, rescue and other resources.
• Transmits radio and telephone communications to field units and monitors radio frequencies.
• Maintains logs, files and records; completes reports.
• Inspects equipment and reports malfunctions.
• Activates civil defense sirens and pagers for emergencies and weather events.
• Completes required training and performs related duties.

Skills

Public relations

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Decision making under pressure

Computer skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

NCIC certification (possible)

Tools

CAD systems

GIS mapping software

Radio/telephony equipment

NCIC system

Job description

This position is responsible for answering emergency and non-emergency calls and for dispatching appropriate personnel. An incumbent in this position may be designated "Senior Communications Specialist".

• Operates an intelligent workstation consisting of computer aided dispatch, integrated radio and telephony technology, GIS mapping technology and other related communications equipment to ensure the timely and effective dispatching of emergency and support services.
• Receives and responds to emergency, non-emergency and administrative calls; interrogates callers, analyzes information, priorities events and makes determinations of response requirements; provides prearrival and post-dispatch instructions.
• Dispatches and manages police, fire, rescue and other resources.
• Receives and transmits radio and telephone communications to and from units operating in the field.
• Monitors public service radio frequencies; tracks and records the location of field personnel and resources.
• Completes regular and special reports and maintains files, logs and records.
• Inspects equipment for proper operation and reports malfunctions to supervisor.
• Activates civil defense sirens and pagers for emergency and inclement weather situations.
• Completes required training.
• Performs related duties.
• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with completion of specialized training in the field of work, in addition to basic skills typically associated with a high school education.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain NCIC certification.
• Knowledge of emergency communications principles and practices.
• Knowledge of NCIC policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of emergency dispatch procedures.
• Knowledge of radio and telecommunications equipment.
• Knowledge of CAD system functions and maintenance.
• Skill in the use of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skill in planning, organizing, analyzing, decision making, and problem solving.
• Skill in making decisions in high pressure and emergency situations.
• Skill in public relations.
• Skill in interpersonal relations.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

Note May be considered a Senior Communication Specialist at Grade 15 when meeting the following:

• Knowledge of supervisory concepts and practices.
• Skill in training and supervising personnel.
• Communications Training Officer (CTO) Certification.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. City of Bismarck does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.