Police/Fire Communications Specialist - Lateral

Port of Seattle; Washington; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Port of Seattle is seeking a dedicated 911 dispatcher or call taker to join our emergency services team in the Washington region. You will handle 911 calls, coordinate police, fire, and medical responses, and maintain situational awareness for responders.

You will cross-train across police, fire, and medical dispatch and manage data in state and national systems, ensuring timely, accurate information and safe, effective responses in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be a U.S. Citizen, lawful Permanent Resident, or a DACA recipient with the ability to speak, read, and write English;
• You must possess a High School Diploma or GED Certificate.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a full-time 911 dispatcher or 911 call taker in a 911 PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point), with no more than 24 months removed from service.
• Must complete Washington State Telecommunicator I and II courses, King County Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification, and WA ACCESS certification within first year of employment.
• Committed to Equity and leadership; effective communication under stress; analytical problem solving; multitasking.

Responsibilities

• Receive and transmit requests for emergency services related to public safety.
• Answer 911 emergency and non-emergency calls, prioritizing radio transmissions and dispatching responders.
• Cross-train in police, fire, and medical dispatch and call taking.
• Enter information into state and national data files and systems.
• Read maps and relay directions as necessary.
• Monitor security cameras and alarms; dispatch responders as needed.
• Provide emergency medical dispatching including pre-arrival instructions.
• Work with tenants, the traveling public, residents, businesses, partner agencies, and the community.

Skills

Effective communicator

Analytical problem solver

Multitasker

Equity-minded

Leadership

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Some of what you'll be doing:

• You will be responsible to perform specialized duties in the Emergency Services 9-1-1 Communication Center. Receive and transmit requests for emergency services related to public safety.
• You will answer 911 emergency and non-emergency calls for service, prioritizing radio transmissions and dispatch emergency responders, including police, fire, and medical.
• You will be cross trained in all aspects of our 911 center this includes police dispatch, fire dispatch, medical dispatch and police, fire , medical call taking. You will maintain knowledge of status and location of each emergency responder as well as electronically log all pertinent data relating to dispatched or emergency responder activity.
• You will inquire upon and enter information into state and national computerized data files and systems.
• You will read maps and relay directions as necessary.
• You will monitor security cameras, alarms, fire alarms and dispatch appropriate resources as necessary, dispatching appropriate fire suppression and/or medical response to fire, fire alarms, aircraft emergencies or requests for medical aid.
• You will provide emergency medical dispatching including pre arrival instructions for medical aid calls.
• You will work with tenants, traveling public, residents, businesses, partner agencies and the community. #ZR

Who you are:

_All Lateral standards must be met at the time of application._

• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• Be a U.S. Citizen, lawful Permanent Resident, or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient with the ability to speak, read, and write the English language;
• You must possess a High School Diploma or GED Certificate.
• You must have a minimum of 2 years of experience as a full-time 911 dispatcher or 911 call taker in a 911 PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point), with no more than 24 months removed from service.
• You must successfully complete the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Telecommunicator I and II courses, King County Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification course, and State of Washington ACCESS certification within first year of employment.
• Committed to Equity - You will apply equity and exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices in all aspects of the work. At the Port of Seattle, equity is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all Port employees.
• Leader - You understand the gravity and weight of the position and provide guidance to teammates and citizens whenever possible in an accountable and honest manner.
• Effective Communicator - You possess the ability and willingness to communicate effectively with a diverse population under stressful conditions. You also have a strong ability to quickly understand the situation and communicate with the appropriate resources and response.
• Analytical Problem Solver - You are able to independently and rapidly assess and solve problems in stressful situations, applying policies, rules and regulations to take appropriate action.
• Multitasker - You are able to effectively multitask in an ongoing capacity while using discretion and sound judgement.

What else you need to know:

• Background Investigation - You must pass a background investigation that includes a complete criminal records check, a polygraph examination, a medical examination and a psychological examination. Background investigations will be conducted as openings occur and include the following: driving history, credit history, arrest records, military records, educational records, and other sources where information can be obtained to measure one's suitability for police work. You must successfully complete a training process once hired.
• Automatic Disqualifiers - You will need to review our list of Automatic Disqualifiers related to Criminal Activity, Driving Record, Drug Use, Employment and Financials before submittal of your application.
• Work Schedule - This position is scheduled for 40 hours per week as part of a seven day a week and twenty-four hour a day facility. Normal work schedule will vary and is currently a 4 ten-hour day schedule that is bid a year in advance with rotation every 6 months. Must be able and willing to work any and all assigned shifts, including weekends and shift extension overtime. Must be available to work varied shift assignments, holidays, weekends, and unscheduled overtime, with varying days off.
• Work Environment - You will work in the 911 dispatch center, a windowless environment which is within an operating airport and may possibly be exposed to aircraft exhaust odors. You must be able to sit for extended periods or may utilize sit to stand consoles at each work station.
• Washington State Residency Requirement - Employees must establish a residence in Washington state within 30 days of their first day of employment and must mainta