PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER

Agupdate; Hudson, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Hudson, Ohio, is seeking a Public Safety Dispatcher for a full-time role in the police communications center. The dispatcher operates multi-channel radio, handles 911 and non-emergency calls, logs information, and coordinates EMS, police, and fire units to scene locations.

Must maintain calm under pressure, provide accurate data, and uphold customer service standards. Work requires familiarity with police computers, LEADS/CAD concepts, and the ability to work shifts with reliability and

Qualifications

• Knowledge of laws, rules, and procedures governing operation of communications center equipment.
• Knowledge of the street system and geography of the city.
• Some knowledge of computer-aided/assisted dispatch.
• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to keep records and prepare routine reports.
• Ability to remain calm and deal effectively with emergency and disaster situations.
• Skill and speed in operating communications center equipment.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Operates a communications center on an assigned shift serving Police, Fire, EMS and other City Departments.
• Operates and uses a variety of communications equipment to receive/transmit information and messages.
• Monitors and responds to radio traffic; coordinates with mobile units; maintains logs.
• Receives 911 calls, records information, provides instructions, and dispatches units.
• Operates police computers, accesses databases, and retrieves information.
• Receives visitors and provides routine information or referrals.

Skills

Communication (oral/written)

Record keeping

Calm under pressure

Interpersonal relations

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Two-way radio systems

Computer-aided dispatch

Police computers

Job description

PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER - FULL-TIME

Current OPBA Dispatcher Contract Pay: $30.82 - $37.57 per hour

(per experience and/or terms of collective bargaining agreement)

CLASS SUMMARY

This is specialized communications work in the operation of a communications center, which serves Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and other City Departments. Work involves responsibility for the operation of two-way, multi-channel radio equipment, the receiving and transmission of radio messages, and the coordination of radio communications with and between mobile units. Work also involves responsibility for answering 911 emergency calls, obtaining and recording precise and accurate information, giving emergency instructions, and dispatching emergency vehicles and personnel to the location or scene. Employees in this classification operate police computers, access databases, and enter and retrieve information. Employees in this classification also receive, screen and direct non-emergency calls, provide routine information and assistance to the public, and perform clerical tasks. Work is performed under general supervision of a police captain and is reviewed through conferences, monitoring of radio transmissions, and review of radio logs and records.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Any one position may not include all the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class. Allocation of positions to this class will be determined on the amount of time spent in performing the primary duties.)

• Operates a communications center on an assigned shift, which serves Police, Fire, EMS and other City Departments.
• Operates and uses a variety of communications equipment in receiving and transmitting information and messages, such as a pager, a multi-line telephone, a multi-band radio, a mobile data terminal, and police computers.
• Monitors and responds to radio traffic in both emergency and non-emergency situations; makes decisions regarding the urgency and priority of emergency calls; coordinates radio communications with and between mobile units; maintains logs of radio transmissions and telephone calls.
• Receives 911 emergency calls, obtains and records precise and accurate information, gives emergency instructions, and dispatches emergency vehicles and personnel to locations; receives, screens and directs non-emergency calls.
• Operates police computers, accesses databases, enters and retrieves information.
• Receives visitors to the communications center, provides routine information and/or refers them to proper city departments or persons.
• Must establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, employees of other departments, and the general public.
• Must provide a high level of customer service by being courteous, responsive, respectful and helpful in all interactions with superiors, co-workers, public officials, representatives from federal, state and local organizations and agencies and the general public.
• Must have regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Must follow and comply with City rules and policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

(The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Work is performed indoors in an office environment.
• Work requires frequent sitting for long periods of time in a confined area.
• Work also requires frequent standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, climbing stairs, lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds, reaching with hands and arms in front of body and overhead, using hands and fingers to operate a radio, telephone, computer and other office equipment.
• Work is frequently performed under stressful conditions and frequently involves dealing with excited and/or angry individuals.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Work requires possession of a high school diploma or GED, supplemented by special courses or training in the operation and use of personal computers, and experience in the operation of communications equipment, including some experience in the operation and use of a multi-band, two-way radio and computer-aided/assisted dispatch, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience that provides the following knowledge, abilities and skills:

• Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing the operation and use of communications center equipment.
• Knowledge of the street system and geography of the city.
• Some knowledge of the operation and use of communications center equipment, including computer-aided/assisted dispatch.
• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to keep records and prepare routine reports.
• Ability to remain calm and deal effectively with emergency and disaster situations.
• Skill and speed in the operation and use of communications center equipment.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with superiors, employees of other departments, and the general public.

LICENSE, CERTIFICATE, OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) or ability to obtain within one year.
• Must be able to obtain Emergency Medical Dispatch Certificate and Court Clerk Certificates within a reasonable time period after appointment.

The City of Hudson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity for all employees and applicants. The City of Hudson does not discriminate in employment or the provision of services on the basis of race, color, national origin and ancestry, gender (sex), religion, age, disability, sex (wages), military status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by Federal or State law.