911 Dispatcher I - Open Competitive Exam

City of Rochester (NY); City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team in the Emergency Communications Department, where your skills in communication and quick decision-making will be vital in protecting lives and property. As a 911 Dispatcher I, you'll play a key role in relaying critical information and dispatching emergency personnel. This position requires alertness, judgment, and the ability to work various shifts, including nights and weekends. You'll be trained to handle high-pressure situations and ensure effective communication among field units. If you're ready to make a difference in your community and thrive in a fast-paced environment, this role is for you.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Overtime Pay

Training Opportunities

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Completion of Public Safety Communications course preferred.

Responsibilities

• Set priorities among incoming messages and transmit them efficiently.
• Monitor radio frequencies and maintain accurate status of mobile units.
• Train new employees and maintain logs of communications.

Skills

Judgment

Alertness

Responsiveness

Communication

Radio Operation

Computer Proficiency

Training Skills

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Public Safety Communications Course

Tools

Computer Terminal

Radio Equipment

Telephone Equipment

Job description

This is a communications position in the Emergency Communications Department involving the use of a computer terminal, radio, and telephone equipment for the efficient relay of information and dispatch of personnel and equipment used in the protection of life and property. 911 Dispatcher I differs from 911 Telecommunicator in that the Telecommunicator receives the initial complaint and relays the information to the Dispatcher, who then determines the appropriate course of action to send either Police or Fire personnel. Employees of this class must exercise judgment, alertness, and responsiveness in emergency situations. Employees are expected to work on a wheel schedule, involving various shifts which cover day and night hours and to work overtime as needed. Employees are under the direct supervision of the shift supervisor and may also receive direction and guidance from higher-level dispatchers. Related work is performed as required.

Responsibilities:

• Sets priorities among incoming messages to determine which should be transmitted first;
• Keeps accurate status of exact location of equipment and personnel of mobile units by maintaining radio contact;
• Monitors radio frequencies, listens for important information, and transmits routine and emergency messages by radio or computer terminal to field units;
• Receives complaints, messages, or emergency calls by telephone, radio, or computer terminal;
• Assigns work activities to field units, especially in emergency situations or when changes from routine are required;
• Trains new employees (using on-the-job training) in tasks of the same or lower level;
• Maintains logs either manually or on computer of radio and telephone communication;
• Retrieves information from reference books, files, maps, local, state, and national Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) systems to determine appropriate course of action or to obtain necessary information;
• Serves as Telecommunicator;
• Attends monthly staff meetings and scheduled training as required;
• Notifies supervisor of need for repair service on equipment;
• Testifies in court as needed.

Minimum Requirements:

1. High school diploma or equivalent;
2. Completion of the Public Safety Communications course of study offered by the Rochester City School District.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must have satisfactory police record and background check including FBI fingerprinting.
2. Must undergo a medical examination that will test, but will not be limited to: vision, hearing, speech, physical ability to sit for long periods, and must pass a psychological evaluation.
3. New hires and re-hires must pass a drug test.

SCOPE OF THE EXAMINATION:

1. Job Requirement Questionnaire: This will test for the willingness to accept special work requirements, such as, but not limited to, the availability and willingness to work all shifts as required, the willingness to be fingerprinted, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
2. Listening/Keying: This computer-based job simulation will test for the abilities to: read and understand procedures; type quickly and accurately while listening; read information from a CRT screen; and listening skills.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES:

Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", "Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited.

WEIGHT:

Subtest 1 will be scored on a pass/fail basis. Subtest 2 will contribute to 100% to the final score.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION:

The psychological evaluation will consist of a combination of psychological tests and interviews. You must pass the psychological evaluation. In addition, a negative report within a non-failing psychological evaluation may be grounds for disqualification.

RATING:

This examination will be rated in accordance with Section X-1 of the Municipal Civil Service Rules.

REVIEW OPPORTUNITY:

An opportunity to request a verification of the computation of your score will be offered after the eligible list is established. In this review, two members of staff will independently review and verify the performance section of the examination. You will receive a written response following our findings.

ELIGIBLE LISTS:

The names of successful candidates will be placed on a list of eligibles in rank order of final scores. Eligible candidates of future examinations will have their names inter-filed, in order of final score. Candidate eligibility on the list will be for one year. The medical examination, police record and background check, and psychological evaluation will be administered later. Candidates who fail any of these tests will be removed from the eligible list. The Commission reserves the right to process candidates on the qualifying tests only in such numbers necessary to produce enough eligibles to meet department needs through the life of the list.