Emergency Communications Dispatcher I

City of Spokane; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Spokane seeks a Public Safety Dispatcher to operate emergency communications for police, fire, and other city services. You will handle radio, CAD and phone/text communications, triage incidents, and coordinate with field units to ensure timely responses.

Applicants must meet open-entry requirements with a high school diploma or equivalent and pass a thorough background check. Certifications in PSAP protocols and EMD are required or provided by the City of Spokane.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Typing speed of at least 175 keystrokes per minute (35 wpm).
• Ability to pass a thorough background check.
• Must obtain required emergency communications certifications (e.g., PSST, ACCESS II, CPR, EMD).

Responsibilities

• Dispatches emergency services for Police, Fire, or other city resources via radio, CAD and computer equipment.
• Maintains contact with field units and informs status, location, and updates as required.
• Answers, prioritizes, and routes incoming calls and text messages for emergency and non‑emergency services.
• Triages incidents using established policy and procedures.
• Guides and mentors newer employees and supports daily operations.
• May testify in court as needed.

Skills

Typing 35 wpm

Calm under pressure

Effective communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Dispatches public safety resources, and transmits messages and general information for either police, fire, or other public safety and city government organizations.

Employees may receive some materials containing graphic or emotionally distressing content. Employees must be able to process such information calmly and maintain professional composure while coordinating emergency response.This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.

• Dispatches emergency services for either Police, Fire, or other government resources to provide appropriate assistance to the public and public safety partners via various communications such as radio, computer equipment, and the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system.
• Maintains contact with field units to ensure safety and efficiency; inform field personnel of the status of the situation and receive and maintain field unit’s status and location at appropriate times; respond to units’ calls and transmissions appropriately.
• Assists field units with requests and inquiries, including system query responses.
• Retrieves information from state and national crime information systems and processes queries in the computerized crime information system.
• Enter and update a variety of detailed information into the computer terminal including the nature and location of calls received and premise histories; prepare and maintain various logs, listings, schedules and files; may testify in court.
• Answer, prioritize, and route incoming telephone calls and text messages for emergency and non-emergency services.
• Guides and mentors newer employees. Acts as a support and resource in daily operations as new employees gain hands-on experience.
• Triages incidents using established policy and procedures.
• Performs related work as required.

Open-Entry Requirements:

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: Must type a minimum of 175 keystrokes (35 words per minute).
• Equivalency: We accept equivalent combinations of education and experience. We welcome job seekers with relevant backgrounds to apply.

Background Check:

• All applicants are subject to a thorough background investigation, including but not limited to criminal history.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Individuals in this classification must obtain and maintain all required certifications in approved emergency communications protocols and software to include: the Washington State Public Safety Telecommunicator certification, ACCESS II certification, CPR, and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD). Certification and training is provided by the City of Spokane.

Applicants must first meet the minimum qualifications to be invited to take the examination. Those who pass the examination will then go on the hiring list.

The examination will be conducted in the form of a skills simulation. The skills simulation exam, an assessment that replicates real job tasks in a virtual environment, will evaluate your ability to use core programs essential to the position.

Areas assessed:

• Keyboarding
• Decision Making
• Data Entry
• Memory Recall
• Reading Comprehension
• Map Reading

This is an online examination that will require a computer. If you do not have access to a computer, please notify Civil Service so that one may be provided. Computer reservations can also be made through your local public library.

Examination links with instructions will be emailed. Once you receive the link, the testing window is Thursday, 12:00 AM to the following Monday at 11:59 PM.

Please note:

The email will come from Test Genius ([e-mail]).

For information on what to expect with the hiring process, a test information guide, and frequently asked questions, please visit our website.

Additional examinations shall be administered as applications are received with results merged into one eligible list according to final ratings, pursuant to the Merit System Rules of the Civil Service Commission: Rule IV, Section 13 – Continuous Examinations.

Upon request, at time of application, City of Spokane will provide alternative accessible tests to individuals with disabilities that impair manual, sensory, or speaking skills needed to take the test, unless the test is intended to measure those skills.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status, or disability status. As a Fair Chance Employer, City of Spokane does not conduct initial background screening for non-public safety positions.