Police Telecommunicator I, II

Town of Kernersville (NC); Kernersville (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Kernersville (NC) seeks a skilled Dispatcher for the Police Department's Communications Center to handle emergency and non-emergency calls, relay information to officers, and monitor radio channels. The role requires calm under pressure, clear communication, and the ability to use CAD and law enforcement databases; training will cover DCI modules and certifications.

This safety-sensitive, non-exempt, full-time position supports public safety operations and teamwork in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Ability to think clearly and act quickly in emergency situations.
• Ability to control telephone conversations to obtain information and provide instructions.
• Capable of receiving and carrying out instructions from emergency responders.
• Clear diction and strong verbal communication skills.
• Experience with specialized law enforcement software to enter data and retrieve information.

Responsibilities

• Operate multi-line telephone system handling emergency and non-emergency calls; relay information to officers.
• Dispatch officers to scenes; monitor radio channels and coordinate with agencies.
• Enter CAD data, update critical information, and manage incident records.
• Monitor video security system and maintain residential security check databases.
• Assist in training new telecommunicators and monitor training progress.

Skills

Clear communication

Multitasking

Stress management

Judgment under pressure

Data entry

Language line usage

TTY/Text-to-911

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

NC Notary Public Certification

Sheriff’s Standards Certification

CIT School

Tools

CAD system

Law enforcement databases (NCIC/DCI)

Police radio system

Video security system

Job description

Performs responsible, specialized paraprofessional and technical work in the Communication Center for the Police Department. An employee in this class performs paraprofessional and technical work receiving both emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from citizens and relaying information to police officers via a multi-channel radio system. The worker also provides information/referrals to the general public and other law enforcement agencies. The employee must have the ability to communicate clearly, to use good judgment, to multi-task and to work in stressful situations. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Communications Supervisor and is checked by observation and by regularly reviewing computer entries.

• Operates multi-line telephone system. Receives telephone calls from citizens, both emergency and non-emergency; obtains and evaluates information and takes needed action; accesses language line for non-English speaking callers; and operates a TTY and Text-to-911 system for text calls and non-verbal callers. Operates and monitors multi-channel radio system to provide information to police officers; patches multiple agencies together when necessary; dispatches officers to the scene; operates portable walkie talkie; operates mobile dispatch center; uses appropriate codes and signals when dispatching calls; checks status of officers while they are on calls; dispatches alarms when instructed; monitors emergency channel for officer distress and dispatches assistance if needed.
• Enters information on calls in Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) program; enters data as it is received from police officers on the scene; enters stolen vehicles, articles, wanted/missing persons; prepares messages in correct format and updates critical information in database, including business locations and emergency callout information, knox box locations, alarm information, and important alerts regarding the premises.
• Monitors Police Department video security system.
• Maintains database of residential security checks for out-of-town residents.
• Monitors Doppler radar and advises of severe weather.
• Communicates with other dispatchers from local, state and federal agencies in order to send appropriate level of response.
• Uses various law enforcement databases to gather information needed by officers; monitors incoming information from law enforcement agencies through NCIC/DCI; ensures accurate information is entered into database according to rules and regulations; checks for wanted/ missing persons, domestic violence orders, sex offenders, concealed carry permits, stolen property, driver’s licenses, vehicle license plates/registrations, and weapons.
• Assists in training new telecommunicators; records training progress of new hires.
• Operators Dictaphone; researches past phone calls and radio traffic.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Work requires general knowledge of the functions and operations of the Communications Center and its related equipment and capabilities.
• Employee must have the ability to think clearly and act quickly in emergency situations.
• Employee must have the ability to control telephone conversations in order to efficiently obtain accurate information to provide correct, understandable instructions to the emergency responders.
• Employee must be able to receive and efficiently carry out instructions from the emergency responders.
• Employee must be able to speak clearly and use good diction.
• Employee must be able to use specialized law enforcement software to enter data and to retrieve information.

High school diploma or equivalent.

Required Certifications (Mustbe obtainedwithin the1 year)

• Successfully pass DCI-Modules 1, 2 and 3
• NC Notary Public Certification
• Successfully pass Sheriff’s Standards Certification
• Successfully pass CIT School

This position is classified as safety sensitive per the Town’s Personnel Policy.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Status: Non-Exempt