Per Diem Public Safety Dispatcher

Town & County of Nantucket; Nantucket (MA); On-site; USD 49,000 - 70,000; Part time

Job summary

Nantucket Police Department is seeking a Per Diem Public Safety Dispatcher to receive and route emergency and non‑emergency calls, coordinating police, fire, and EMS responses from a centralized console.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED, calm decision‑making under pressure, and certification in E911, APCO Telecommunicator, EMD, and CPR/First Responder within one year of hire. The position offers flexible shifts and an hourly rate of $43.32.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Certification in E911, APCO Telecommunicator, EMD and CPR/First Responder within one year.
• Familiarity with computers, dispatch systems helpful.
• Must be able to work days, evenings, overnights, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Receive and process 911 and non-emergency calls promptly.
• Dispatch police, fire and EMS units as needed and coordinate responses.
• Monitor radios, telephones and computer systems for accuracy and timeliness.
• Log calls and maintain clear, complete records for investigations.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Calm under pressure

Decision making

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

NLETS

Dispatch software

Emergency communication equipment

Job description

Nantucket Police Department

Per Diem Public Safety Dispatcher

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:The Town of Nantucket is seeking qualified candidates for the Per Diem Public Safety Dispatcher position. Dispatchers play a critical role in protecting our community by receiving emergency and non-emergency calls, coordinating the response of police, fire, and EMS personnel, and providing essential support to first responders and residents.

QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or GED required; college experience preferred. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Ability to remain calm under pressure and make quick, sound decisions. Familiarity with computers, office equipment, and dispatch systems helpful. Must be able to work days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays as scheduled. Successful candidates must obtain certification in E911, APCO Telecommunicator, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), and CPR/First Responder within one year of hire.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to serve the community in a vital public safety role. Dispatchers are the lifeline between the public and emergency responders, helping to save lives and protect property every day.

Schedule & Compensation

Per Diem,non-union, flexible, as needed to cover shifts. Hourly rate $43.32 (fixed rate). This position has a fixed hourly rate and is not subject to individual salary negotiation.

Application Deadline: Sunday, November 8th at 4:00 pm

The Per-Diem Public Safety Dispatcher (Per-Diem Dispatcher) is responsible for the primary deployment of law enforcement, fire and emergency personnel and equipment. The Dispatcher will receive a signal, message, phone call, radio transmission, or other communication from a person or device indicating the existence of an emergency or a situation threatening the safety, life and property of persons. Receive and process police, fire, and EMS related e911 calls. Receive and process non-emergency signals and calls. Dispatch police, fire and EMS and other emergency units and personnel as needed. Monitor and operate emergency signaling, radio, computer, telephone, alarm and other specialized equipment in support of public safety communications and dispatch functions. Perform other dispatch, signal monitoring, communications support, records processing, training, and special duties as assigned.

The Per-Diem Dispatcher is appointed by the Chief of Police and works under the administrative direction of the Communications Supervisor. Dispatchers are required to use considerable independent judgment and discretion in the performance of their duties. General supervision will be provided by the on-duty Police Department Shift Supervisor. All duties will be performed in accordance with applicable Massachusetts General Laws, Town policies, Town By-laws, and relevant State, federal and local regulations.

Per-Diem Dispatchers exercise no supervisory responsibilities.

• Maintain central control and coordination of two-way radio and paging communications for an FCC licensed base station consisting of multiple mobile and portable radio and pager units


• Utilize and operate the National Law Enforcement Agency Telecommunications Computer Processing System (NLETS). Through the local terminal data accessed, inquiries are made, information is placed on file with the network, and communications are received for dissemination.


• Serves as the primary/back‑up receptionist for the Department, courteously greets guests, customers, victims, members of the media and others at the front window and directs them to the appropriate member of the Department or Town for assistance.


• Act as an informational resource person to the Police Department for the transferring of general broadcasts received via monitor or telecommunications on missing persons, stolen motor vehicles, and miscellaneous criminal activity, etc.


• Maintain communications between and among police, fire and EMS services.


• Monitor and receive medical aide, fire and trouble alarms for individuals, Municipal Buildings, Elderly Housing, Businesses, Schools and other persons and entities, and dispatch correct municipal departments. Also, monitor a teletype service for the deaf being operated at this location.


• Act as a liaison between the local and neighboring municipalities and the Public Utility Companies for the reporting of emergency situations, needed repairs, and loss of services.


• Operate the Fire and Police Departments' emergency alerting systems.


• Monitor and maintain telephone communications for all incoming lines and in‑house intercom systems. Receive both emergency and routine calls, determine the appropriate action to be taken and/or referral to be made, and give information requiring a familiarity with all aspects of the community.


• Maintain periodic checks of police personnel in order to ensure their safety.


• Receive authorized requests for towing of motor vehicles, determine "on call" wrecker service, and dispatch tow truck(s) to appropriate location.


• Prepare and maintain up-to-date telephone listings, including confidential listings, for hospitals, veterinarians, medical personnel, court personnel, public transportation and utilities, local businesses, municipal officials and other persons and entities.


• Record and log all radio transmissions and telephone calls. Such records must include the date, time and the nature of the call or radio communications as this data is often used in legal proceedings.


• Maintain database listing of known caretakers and the properties they manage.


• Perform and record required tests of emergency telephone lines, radio base stations, paging systems, and other communications systems.


• Radio page and provide message forwarding for various municipal officials and public safety personnel.


• Ensure that all emergency center operational procedures, policies and general regulations are followed and that all transmissions conform to FCC regulations.


• Ensure the timely and accurate preparation and maintenance of a variety of logs.


• Ensure the timely testing of all equipment and communication services and obtain repairs as necessary.


• Be familiar with new operational procedures and protocols as new equipment is introduced to the department and provide and participate in on‑going dispatcher training and development.


• Responsible and accountable for all municipal alarm monitoring systems.


• Notifies the Shift Supervisor of unusual events, most notably when contact with an officer on patrol cannot be made after a reasonable amount of time.


• Serve as Law Enforcement Agency Police System (LEAPS) representative.


• Performs other related duties as assigned.


• Regularly perform any and all duties of a dispatcher.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.


• College experience desired.


• Familiarity with police communications and police work preferred.


• One or more years of clerical or administrative experience in municipal government useful.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of general office practices, procedures and administration necessary


• Knowledge of State and local laws and regulations very helpful.


• Must have ability to work and deal pleasantly with co‑workers and the public, both in person and by telephone in a courteous and tactful manner.


• Ability to understand and follow instructions and to work independently when required.


• Must have ability to accurately record and maintain records and ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.


• Must be able to perform CPR, if needed.


• Must be able to type and operate various types of office equipment, including but not limited to telephone, computer, facsimile machine, and copy machines.

Employment Training Requirements

All persons hired for this position must become certified and remain proficient in the following areas within one (1) year of the date of hire and continue certification thereafter:

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts, State‑wide Emergency Telecommunications Board, Enhanced 911 operator certification.


• Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Basic Telecommunicator certification.


• Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMO) certification.


• American Heart Association (C.P.R.) and First Responder certification.

1. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Phone; computers, including word processing and database software; copy machine; postage machine; fax machine; calculator; printer; radios and signaling equipment.

1. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

A. Must be able to see visually, hear and speak so as to be understood over the radio.

B. May spend extended periods at a computer terminal, on telephone, or operating other office machines, requiring eye‑hand coordination and finger dexterity.

C. Work is performed indoors not subject to temperature extremes.

D. Work is performed at a console/communications desk environment, subject to continuous telephone and radio calls, interruptions, and high noise level.

E. Urgent, emergency calls, emotional callers, and short response deadlines produce recurring intervals of high stress.

F. May occasionally lift and/or move objects of up to 55 pounds.

G. Duties may involve standing, sitting and/or walking for the greater portion of the day.

1. WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

A. Work is performed indoors at a console/communications desk environment, subject to continuous telephone and radio calls, interruptions, and high noise level.

B. Urgent, emergency calls, emotional callers, and short response deadlines produce recurring intervals of high stress.