POLICE DISPATCHER (Multiple Vacancies) - Range 32 / APD

Municipality of Anchorage; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Municipality of Anchorage is seeking a capable Communications Centre dispatcher to answer 911 and non-emergency calls, assess priorities, and dispatch police units as needed. The role requires handling high volumes with accuracy and maintaining focused radio discipline.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED with three years of public-facing clerical experience, plus strong data-entry skills for CAD and related systems. Preference given to APD employees with dispatch experience.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent; three years of experience with substantial public contact and office clerical duties, one year as a Police Call Taker preferred.
• Must type at a net speed of 35 WPM; certification/documentation required at hire.
• Satisfactory drug screening and background checks are required.
• APD employees receive preference in screening; internal applicants with prior dispatch probationary period issues are ineligible.

Responsibilities

• Answer 911 and non-emergency calls; determine call type and route to proper agency or take action to complete service.
• Dispatch police personnel using radio/telecommunications equipment and maintain radio contact.
• Enter data in CAD, dispatch cards, and report forms; retrieve information from law enforcement information systems.
• Perform related duties supporting the Anchorage Police Department Communications Center.

Skills

Public contact

Office clerical

Typing 35 WPM

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Open to the general public and any current Municipal employee.

This position is represented by the Anchorage Police Department Employees Association (APDEA) and is subject to the provisions of the current agreement between the Municipality of Anchorage and the Union.

DEPARTMENT: Anchorage Police Department

HOURS OF WORK: Shifts vary during training; Must be willing to work days or nights with various days off, as well as weekends and holidays.

• 3/12s: twelve (12) hour shifts during three (3) consecutive twenty-four (24) hour periods in one week; twelve (12) hour shifts during three (3) consecutive twenty-four (24) hour periods; and
• 1/8s - one eight (8) hour shift during the other week

Total of 80 scheduled hours in one pay period

LOCATION: 4501 Elmore Road

To be considered for employment, applicants must be legally authorized to work and accept employment in the United States. The Municipality of Anchorage is not able to provide any type of sponsorship, including Student Visas and Employment Visas, under any circumstances.

Under supervision, performs a variety of radio dispatch, public information, and clerical duties in support of the Anchorage Police Department's Communications Center. Works with considerable independence of judgment and action within defined policies and instructions in deciding whether, where and when emergency personnel should be dispatched. Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Information

Answers emergency 911 and non-emergency calls, determines nature of call and routes it to the proper agency or takes appropriate action to complete call for service. Obtains all pertinent information necessary for assignment of required resources. Establishes priority of complaints and determines level of response necessary. Dispatches police personnel using radio and telecommunications equipment and provides explicit response information. Maintains radio contact with on-duty units and maintains record of all radio transmissions. Enter appropriate data in CAD program on dispatch cards, computer, and report forms, as required. Retrieves information from law enforcement information systems, local, state, and national. Operates automated and manual recording, processing, and telecommunications equipment, as well as standard office equipment. Performs other duties as assigned.

High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent, and three (3) years of experience which involved a substantial amount of public contact and office clerical duties, one (1) of which must have been as a Police Call Taker with the Municipality of Anchorage, or the equivalent elsewhere.

Must possess and/or obtain:

Must possess the ability to type at a net speed of 35 WPM. [ NOTE: The typing certification or documentation must by presented by time of hire, contain the applicant's name, and be current within the past 1 year. ]

Satisfactory drug screening at time of hire.

Satisfactory national criminal background investigation (AS 12.62.160, AS 12.62.400, 13 AAC 85.010, and 13 AAC 85.210) and financial review.

Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) / National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification within thirty (30) days of hire.

Satisfactory Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) background check at time of hire.

Satisfactory psychological assessment (determines job suitability).

Satisfactory audiological exam at time of hire.

Must possess a valid State of Alaska Driver's License and satisfactory driving record at time of hire.

Preference:

Experience in dispatching and/or receiving a high volume of calls for service. Some examples are:

• Emergency or public safety calls
• Transportation
• Private Security
• Utility Company
• Travel Industry
• Call Center
• Switchboard
• Intake Receptionist
• Customer Service Agent

Ability to type at a net speed of 70+ WPM. [ NOTE: The typing certification or documentation must contain the applicant's name, be current within the past one (1) year, and attached to the application. ]

Preference will be given to Anchorage Police Department (APD) employees. APD employees who are successful in the screening process will be forwarded to the department for consideration prior to any non-APD applicants.

All internal applicants who have failed to complete the probationary period in Dispatch in the previous two years are ineligible.

TESTING INFORMATION

Successful applicants will be invited to test. Testing will include satisfactory passing of: Nelson-Denny Reading and Comprehension Exam, a Dispatch/Call Taker Video, and an Interview.

Passing results of the Nelson-Denny Reading Comprehension exam are valid for one year from the date of the tests. The test scores/results may be used when applying for other positions within APD. Current APD employees who have previously passed, are exempt from the Nelson-Denny Reading Comprehension exam.

All internal applicants who have failed to complete the probationary period in Dispatch in the previous two years are ineligible.

All information from pre-employment examinations is the property of the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) and are confidential. Copies of any pre-employment examinations will not be provided to the applicant by the MOA or the medical examiner.

The Municipality of Anchorage participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-verify Program. For more information, please go to http://www.uscis.gov/E-verify. E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

If selected for hire, the appointment in this position will be conditional based upon a satisfactory Municipal Employment Office conducted Background Check. A Background Check encompasses criminal history, verifying education, and verifying dates of employment.

If selected for hire, the appointment in this position requires Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) and FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification within 30 days of hire, and Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) security clearance at time of hire. If the individual selected for this position fails to obtain these clearances and access within the specified timeline, he/she will be terminated.

If selected for hire, appointment to this position will be conditional based upon satisfactory passing an extensive background and financial check, an audiological exam, a written psychological assessment and interview to determine job suitability, and a drug screen.

If selected for hire, appointment in this position will be conditional based upon the submission of a current copy of the applicant's Alaska Driver's License, and a current (dated within 30 days from date requested) copy of his/her Department of Motor Vehicle driving record, including a driving record from previous states, if the Alaska Driver's License was first issued within one year prior to application, documenting an acceptable driving history. The processing fee(s) are the responsibility of the selected applicant. For information on acceptable driving history, please refer to the MOA Driving Conviction Guidelines.

If selected for hire, appointment in this position will be conditional based upon the submission of a current documentation/certification of the typing speed ability. The documentation/certification must contain the applicant's name and be current within the past one (1) year.

All required certifications and/or licenses must remain current for the duration of employment.

Military Service Interview Preference

Veterans who wish to be considered for interview preference, as permitted in Municipal Personnel Rules 3.30.031 D, must attach to the application a copy of their DD Form 214, DD Form 256, NGB Form 22, or a letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, recognizing the person as a veteran. The attached documentation must show an honorable discharge or general (under honorable conditions) discharge. The minimum qualifications of the position must be met for preference consideration.

Individuals currently serving as a member in good standing in the National Guard or the organized military reserves who wish to be considered for interview preference, as permitted in Municipal Personnel Rules 3.30.031 D, must attach proof of current service to the application. Proof of current service can be shown by submission of a statement of service which, at a minimum, shows the full name, date of birth, Social Security Number, date service began, branch of service, rank, name of command providing the information, and unit of assignment.The statement of service must be on a form or letterhead of the individual’s command organization, and shows the name, signature, title, and contact information of the signer providing the statement of service. The minimum qualifications of the position must be met for preference consideration.

The Municipality of Anchorage is an Employer of National Service.Please be sure to include any volunteer work with AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, or other national service programs on your application in the work history portion.

The MOA is an EO and AA Employer and complies with Title I of the ADA.

For information regarding requests for reasonable accommodations related to employment under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Municipality of Anchorage ADA Coordinator at 907-343-4571.