COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST/911 DISPATCH

City of Ardmore; Ardmore (OK); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Ardmore is seeking a Communication Specialist to handle 911 and non-emergency calls, enter data into the CAD system, and dispatch Police, Fire, and EMS personnel. The role requires accuracy, multitasking, and the ability to work within a radio-based environment.

Qualified candidates will have a high school diploma or GED and may need to obtain OLETS and CPR certifications within six months of hire. This is a safety-sensitive public safety position with shift rotations.

Qualifications

• State Certified High School diploma or GED is required.
• Minimum 1 year experience in receiving and processing public service calls preferred.
• OLETS Certification within six months of hire date is required.
• Telecommunicator CPR Certification within six months of hire date is required.

Responsibilities

• Answer 911 and non-emergency administrative calls.
• Enter and update call information in CAD (computer aided dispatch software).
• Dispatch appropriate Police/Fire/Ambulance personnel via radio system.
• Monitor and record activity of on-duty personnel.
• Operate OLETS terminal and disseminate information appropriately.
• Recall off-duty personnel, as needed.
• Work with surrounding agencies to provide law & fire response outside of the city limits.
• Clean communications center/workstation daily.
• May assist in training new employees, as needed.
• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Skills

Clear communication

Multi-tasking

10-Key data entry

Typing speed 30 wpm

Problem solving

Education

State Certified High School diploma or GED

OLETS Certification (within 6 months)

Telecommunicator CPR Certification (within 6 months)

Tools

CAD software (Computer Aided Dispatch)

OLETS terminal

Job description

***OPEN UNTIL FILLED***

Position Purpose

Working under the Communication Manager, the Communication Specialist is responsible for receiving requests for Police/Fire/EMS services via 911 emergency and non-emergency phone calls and determining the appropriate response. The Communication Specialist is responsible for entering call information into the CAD system, dispatching appropriate personnel, and maintaining accurate records.

Essential Functions

• Answer 911 and non-emergency administrative calls.
• Enter and update call information in CAD (computer aided dispatch software).
• Dispatch appropriate Police/Fire/Ambulance personnel via radio system.
• Monitor and record activity of on-duty personnel.
• Operate OLETS terminal and disseminate information appropriately.
• Recall off-duty personnel, as needed.
• Work with surrounding agencies to provide law & fire response outside of the city limits.
• Clean communications center/workstation daily.
• May assist in training new employees, as needed.
• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Communication Skills

• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate information and respond to questions on the phone, over the radio, and in person-to-person and small group situations.
• Tact in discussing problems, presenting data, and making recommendations with others within the department or with other departments or offices.

Critical Thinking Skills

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Frequent decision making of both minor and major importance.
• Very intense mental demand. Operations require very close and continuous attention for control of situations which require a high degree of coordination or immediate response.
• Operations require intermittent direct thinking to determine the most applicable way of handling emergency situations.

Other Required Skills

• Ability to follow and carry out written, oral or diagrammed instructions.
• Ability to multi-task and operate telephones, radios and other equipment simultaneously.
• Regular use of office machines and equipment.
• Basic knowledge of 10-Key, Alphanumeric Data Entry, Word processing/Typing, Spreadsheet, etc.

Education

• State Certified High School diploma or GED.

Requirements

• Valid Oklahoma State Driver’s License.
• One (1) year experience in receiving and processing public service calls in law enforcement or fire agency, preferred.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, OLETS Certification issued by the State of Oklahoma within six (6) months of hire date.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a Telecommunicator CPR Certification within six (6) months of hire date.

Working Conditions

• Semi-repetitive type work which requires concentration for varied time cycles.
• Continuous exposure to elements such as noise, intermittent standing and walking; and occasional pushing, carrying or lifting.
• Shift work to include 12-hour shifts (day/night), holidays and weekends; subject to on-call status.

The following physical and environmental activities and conditions represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This is a Safety Sensitive position

This job has been classified as a “safety sensitive” position as defined by the United States Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing regulations, the Oklahoma Standards for Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Act and/or Oklahoma Medical Marijuana laws. In this position, you will be subject to drug and alcohol testing, which might include random testing. Marijuana is one of the substances included in the drug panel screening. Possession of a Medical Marijuana license will not excuse you from the testing process, or the consequences of testing positive for Marijuana.

Required Testing

• Pass a typing test with minimum 30 wpm.
• pass 10-key at 70%
• Written exam covering: Reading, Listening, Problem Solving/Prioritizing, and Multi- tasking with combined minimum score of 70%

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER