Dispatcher Testing

City of Santa Fe Springs; Punta Gorda (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Punta Gorda is seeking an emergency dispatch professional to handle 911 and non-emergency requests for Police or Fire Department assistance. You will determine urgency, initiate appropriate actions, and maintain close contact with field units to monitor response and support requirements.

Responsibilities include receiving and transmitting messages, operating as a central switchboard, and maintaining the recording system.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two years clerical experience in a fast-paced, stressful office environment.

Responsibilities

• Receive and transmit police and fire messages and calls, and log them by data entry.
• Act as central switchboard operator for Police and Fire Departments.
• Maintain central recording system and update warrants or reports as needed.
• Monitor police scanner radio to ensure officer safety and dispatch backup as required.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow department policies.

Skills

Typing 6200 keystrokes/hr

Public safety terminology

Emergency dispatch

Multi-tasking

Communication via radio/phone

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Description

Skilled emergency service position that involves receiving emergency 911 and non-emergency requests for Police or Fire Department assistance, determining nature/urgency of calls, initiating Police, Fire or other emergency personnel action and maintaining close contact with field units to monitor response and needed support requirements.

Description

Skilled emergency service position that involves receiving emergency 911 and non-emergency requests for Police or Fire Department assistance, determining nature/urgency of calls, initiating Police, Fire or other emergency personnel action and maintaining close contact with field units to monitor response and needed support requirements.

Example Of Duties

• Receives and transmits police and fire messages and calls, and records same by data entry.
• Acts as central switchboard operator for the Police and Fire Departments.
• Maintains central recording system.
• Obtains information requested by police officers (checks license plates, checks for wanted persons, checks driver license information etc.).
• Prioritizes, directs and logs police and fire calls and dispatches units accordingly.
• Communicates with towing services, utility crews, etc. as needed.
• Researches, enters, clears, cancels, and updates warrants, missing persons reports, runaway juveniles reports, stolen article descriptions or vehicles in designated computer database.
• Monitors police scanner radio to ensure safety of police officers, and dispatches backup units.
• Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties.
• Keeps informed of departmental regulations, policies and procedures.
• Periodically makes routine announcements and relays messages via radio.

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty or responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities; education and/or experience; and, certificates or licenses required in order to fill the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. In lieu of certain requirements listed below, Employee may accrue or acquire certain specified time in service, specialized skills, and/or certifications, thereby qualifying for this position through the City’s career progression policy.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Knowledge of public service activity and methods of local government;
• Knowledge of computer technology and equipment;
• Knowledge of law enforcement terminology and procedures;
• Knowledge of geography for the City of Punta Gorda;
• Knowledge of English language for spelling and proper word usage;
• Skill in multi-tasking- coordinating simultaneous mental, manual and visual activities;
• Skill in observing situations analytically and objectively and relaying details accurately;
• Skill in communicating using two-way radio and telephone equipment;
• Skill in operating a variety of communications equipment effectively;
• Skill in reading and interpreting maps to determine locations and jurisdictional boundaries;
• Able to work rotating shift assignments and overtime in accordance with maintaining a fully operational 24 hour facility.
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely;
• Ability to think clearly and act quickly in emergencies;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Police and Fire Department personnel, other City employees, outside law enforcement or fire agencies and the public;
• Ability to meet attendance schedule with dependability and consistency.
• Able to data entry at 6200 keystrokes per hour with an accuracy rate of 95%.

Education, Experience, Licenses And Certifications

• Graduation from high school, or a GED from a properly accredited institution of learning.
• PC knowledge/experience, typing and telephone skills.
• Two (2) years clerical experience in a fast-paced, stressful office environment.
• Any combination of education and experience which provides the requisite mental and communication skills.
• Obtain and maintain the 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator certification as required by FSS 401.465.
• Obtain and maintain Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD), Fire Service Dispatcher (FSD) and Law Enforcement Dispatcher (LED) certification by the completion of the Communications Training and Evaluation Program.
• Obtain and maintain FCIC/NCIC Full Access Certification within 6 months of employment.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No direct supervisory authority.

Supplemental Information

Essential Physical Abilities

Code: Constant = 2/3 or more of the time

Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time

Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time

N/A = Not applicable

Physical Skills

Constant

Frequent

Occasional

N/A

Heavy lifting (45 lbs.. and over) X

Moderate lifting (15 to 44 lbs.) X

Light lifting (under 15 lbs.) X

Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over) X

Moderate carrying (14 to 44 lbs.) X

Light carrying (under 15 lbs.) X

Reaching above shoulder

Use of fingers

Both hands required

Climbing (use of legs and arms)

Climbing (legs only)

Good near vision

Good distant vision

Both eyes required

Depth perception

Distinguishing basic colors

Distinguishing shades of colors

Good hearing (with or without hearing aid)

Straight pulling

Pulling hand over hand

Pushing

Walking

Standing

Crawling

Kneeling

Bending

Balancing

Stooping

Jumping

Running

Throwing

Driving (cars, small vans, pick-ups, etc.)

Driving & operating (heavy equip., trucks, etc.)

Other

Environmental Conditions

Code: Constant = 2/3 or more of the time

Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time

Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time

N/A = Not applicable

Work Inside

Work Outside

In The Heat

In The Cold

In High Humidity

In Dampness Or Chilliness

In Dry Conditions

In Or With Noisy Conditions

In Darkness

In Or With Dusty Conditions

With Silica, Asbestos, Etc.

With Fumes Or Gases

With Smoke Or Flames

With Chemicals

With Solvents

With Grease Or Oils

With Radiant Energy

With Electrical Energy

On Slippery Surfaces

On Uneven Surfaces

In Or With Moving Objects

In Or With Ladders/Scaffolding

At Heights Above Ground Level

Below Ground Level

In Water

With Explosives

With Poor Ventilation

With Odors

With Unusual Fatigue Factors

Other Relevant Information

Disclaimers

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Individuals who cannot perform some of the requirements because they pose health or safety risks to themselves, or other employees may be excluded from this position. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by this supervisor. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

Emergency Response Statement

Every City employee has emergency response responsibilities, though not every position will require routine assignments during an emergency event. All employees may be subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official job description. Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.

It is the policy of the City of Punta Gorda to recognize and fulfill its commitment to the community in the area of Equal Employment Opportunity. The City will not knowingly permit discrimination in hiring, promotion, or other conditions of employment with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin.

Certain Service Members and Veterans, and the spouses and family members of such Service Members and Veterans, receive preference and priority, and that certain Service Members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements, and are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled.

The information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, environmental conditions, or qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.