Full-time Police Dispatcher

City of Whitehall; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and sick leave

Health, dental, vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

City of Whitehall is seeking a Communications Operator (Police Dispatcher) to receive emergency and non-emergency calls, determine priorities, and dispatch police, fire, and EMS units. The role requires operating CAD/LEADS systems, maintaining unit contact, and providing critical information to officers and citizens.

The position emphasizes initiative, judgment, and the ability to handle stressful, emotional situations while maintaining security and efficiency in the Police Communications

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen.
• Valid State of Ohio driver's license.
• Minimum age of 18 at hire date.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Typing at least 30 words per minute.
• Must pass background investigation and LEADS/CCH training.

Responsibilities

• Answer the 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls and process requests.
• Determine nature, location and urgency; dispatch units per procedures.
• Maintain communication with assigned units and field personnel.
• Operate CAD and LEADS systems and other communications equipment.
• Answer police business phones and relay messages as needed.
• Assist citizens and officials and relay information to other agencies.
• Access and enter sensitive data in local/state/national databases.
• Assist lobby visitors and maintain order in the command center.
• Monitor building security and ensure doors and areas are secure.
• Maintain orderly, efficient, and professional work environment.

Skills

Organizational skills

Public relations

Decision-making

Communications skills

Multi-tasking

Observing analytically

Operating communications equipment

English proficiency

Job description

Nature of Work

The Communications Operator (Police Dispatcher) is a skilled emergency service position that receives emergency and non-emergency requests for police, fire and emergency medical service assistance, determines the nature and urgency of calls and initiates police or other emergency personnel action using a complex computer aided dispatch system. Maintains close contact with field units to monitor response and needed support requirements. The position requires a considerable degree of initiative and independent judgment within procedural boundaries in responding to emotionally, disturbed and sometimes aggressive individuals in a variety of situations. The Police Dispatcher is administratively assigned to the Administrative Services Bureau and operationally reports to the Shift Sergeant or the Officer-in-Charge. The Police Dispatcher is the primary link between the Police Officer and the citizens.

Answers the 9-1-1 emergency phones. Receives, and processes emergency and non-emergency calls for service. Determines nature and location of emergency; prioritizes; dispatches emergency units as needed and in accordance with established procedures. Maintains communication with assigned units. Operates a variety of communications equipment including the Computer-Aided-Dispatching system and LEADS computer. Answers Police business phones, assesses needs and directs assistance; receives and transmits messages. Telephonically assists citizens, victims of crime, business representatives, other Police Agency representatives, local employees and officials, and employees from other Police agencies. Accesses and enters sensitive data in local/state/national databases as necessary for investigative purposes. Assists citizens, victims of crime, business representatives, other Police Agency representatives, local employees and officials, and employees from foreign city departments at the lobby window as the need arises. Maintains the order, efficiency, sanctity, uniformity and integrity of Police Communications Command Center. Monitors the Police building to ensure all of its doors, hallways, rooms, and jail remain secure.

Essential Functions

• Answers the 9-1-1 emergency phones. Receives, and processes emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Determines nature and location of emergency; prioritizes; dispatches emergency units as needed and in accordance with established procedures.
• Maintains communication with assigned units.
• Operates a variety of communications equipment including the Computer-Aided-Dispatching system and LEADS computer.
• Answers Police business phones, assesses needs and directs assistance; receives and transmits messages.
• Telephonically assists citizens, victims of crime, business representatives, other Police Agency representatives, local employees and officials, and employees from other Police agencies.
• Accesses and enters sensitive data in local/state/national databases as necessary for investigative purposes.
• Assists citizens, victims of crime, business representatives, other Police Agency representatives, local employees and officials, and employees from foreign city departments at the lobby window as the need arises.
• Maintains the order, efficiency, sanctity, uniformity and integrity of Police Communications Command Center.
• Monitors the Police building to ensure all of its doors, hallways, rooms, and jail remain secure.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience

• U.S. citizen;
• Valid State of Ohio driver's license;
• At least 18 years of age on the date of hire;
• High school diploma or GED certificate;
• Computer literacy, with accurate typing (keyboarding) of at least 30 wpm;
• Verifiable good character and ability to comply with the City's Substance Free Workplace requirements. Able to pass thorough background investigation;
• Must successfully complete L.E.A.D.S. (Law Enforcement Automated Data Systems) training and maintain L.E.A.D.S. certification;
• Must successfully complete C.C.H. (Computerized Criminal History) training and maintain certification;
• Must successfully complete any certifications required by law;
• Must have taken and passed a Civil Service Communication Operator/ Dispatchers examination.

Other

Knowledge of

• Must acquire and maintain a working knowledge of Police contracts, rules and regulations, policies and procedures, and State and local laws and law enforcement terminology.

Skill In

• Excellent organizational, public relations, decision-making, and communications skills.
• Multi-tasking.
• Observing situations analytically and objectively and relaying details accurately.
• Operating a variety of communications equipment effectively.
• Fluently reading, writing, speaking, understanding, and communicating in the English language.

Mental and Physical Abilities

• Ability to rapidly and accurately process calls and messages requiring the simultaneous coordination of mental, manual and visual activities.
• Ability to read, comprehend and implement complex procedures, policies and published security protocols.
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely.
• Ability to think clearly and act quickly and appropriately in emergency situations.
• Ability to work rotating shift, weekends, off duty call in's, overtime and holidays as required in accordance with maintaining a fully operational 24-hour facility. Required to meet attendance schedule with dependability and consistency.
• Ability to tolerate and work with irate citizens and victims of crime.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to and respect for a diverse population and provide excellent customer service.
• Visual acuity and color and depth perception to read, operate computer terminal, and monitor closed-circuit color security screens.
• Ability to perform basic life operations of sitting for extended periods of time, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions with arms and hands.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in busy command center with little exposure to outdoor temperatures. Noise is moderate and can frequently involve periods of escalated sound and activity. May observe such work-place abnormalities as violence, physical injuries, physical illness, human waste, human stench, and mental illness and its associated irregularities. Must maintain awareness of the possibility of unknowingly becoming exposed to communicable diseases and illnesses.

The City of Whitehall offers comprehensive benefit packages including vacation, holiday, personal and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life insurance and retirement benefits. In addition, the City offers college tutition reimbursement, an annual service credit, supplemental life insurance and deferred compensation programs.

• Subject to change with collective bargaining agreement and/or administrative code changes