POLICE DISPATCHER

Town of Herndon; Herndon (VA); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Herndon is seeking a dedicated Police Dispatcher to answer emergency and non-emergency calls and coordinate police resources. You will input critical data into CAD, monitor unit status, and relay information through state and federal networks.

This essential role requires basic telecommunications training and VCIN/NCIC certification. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, be at least 21, and possess U.S.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience or training involving telecommunications.
• Completion of Basic Telecommunications training and department communications training.
• Ability to obtain VCIN/NCIC Full Access certification.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• U.S. citizen or lawful resident for the past 10 years.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable record.

Responsibilities

• Receives emergency and non-emergency calls and determines priority to dispatch police and other response.
• Inputs critical information in CAD and tracks police activity to monitor unit status and outcomes.
• Relays information via VCIN/NCIC networks and completes information requests for officers.
• Broadcasts and monitors two-way public safety radio communications.
• Supports a 24-hour toll-free voice, text and TDD center.
• Maintains records, logs and files for police operations and citizen requests.
• Prepares threat assessments and warrants service actions.
• Monitors security access and other systems; coordinates IT support for critical needs.
• Performs other duties as required.

Skills

Telecommunications experience

Public safety communications

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

VCIN/NCIC Full Access certification

Job description

Employees in this classification respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for police assistance or information and provide dispatch and communication support services to the call. Responsibilities include receiving and recording service requests and activities, legal process, and communicating critical information to dispatch police resources and other critical services.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Receives emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance or information; determines nature, priority and other critical information to dispatch and coordinate police and other appropriate response to an incident.
2. Inputs critical information and tracks police activity in the specialized Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to monitor the status of patrol units for availability, assignment, response and clearing of services to document actions and ensure officer safety.
3. Promptly inputs, retrieves and relays criminal justice information in support of officer safety, legal process and ongoing investigations through the state (VCIN) and federal (NCIC, etc.) criminal information networks as a certified operator. Utilizes authorized training to access, modify or clear information or records, such as wanted subjects, missing persons, legal orders, stolen property and other authorized information, in accordance with state and federal regulations, and completes information requests for officers.
4. Broadcasts, responds and monitors interactive voice communications on two-way public safety radio system as requested or required.
5. Provides support in a 24-hour, toll-free voice, text and TDD telephone communications center.
6. Creates, maintains and destroys, as appropriate, a variety of records, logs and files; retrieves information in support of police operations and citizen requests.
7. Prepares threat assessments, warrant service actions and return letters.
8. Monitors the department’s security access system and other systems.
9. Ensures communications equipment, office machines and devices and other center resources are maintained and in working order, and contacts the town’s information technology (IT) department and other vendors to request critical service and repair needs.
10. Performs other duties as required.

Position is considered “essential personnel”; defined as staff who are required to report to their designated work location during weather-related or other emergencies, even when town offices are closed or normal operations are suspended.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required
• Supplemented by experience or training involving telecommunications; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Completion of Basic Telecommunications training and department communications training
• Ability to obtain and maintain VCIN/NCIC Full Access certification
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must be a United States citizen, or have been a lawful resident of the United States for the past 10 consecutive years
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable record

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance

The Town of Herndon, VA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the ADA, the town will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with this employer.

Duties involve the ability to exert light, physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 20 pounds). May involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station; requires the ability to perform semi-skilled, coordinated movements such as those required to operate computer and office equipment; some duties require visual perception and discrimination; communications ability and auditory acuity.

Duties are regularly performed without exposure to adverse, environmental conditions such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, toxic agents, violence, disease and pathogenic substances.