Telecommunicator

Story County; Nevada (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Story County Sheriff's Office in Iowa is seeking a Communications Dispatcher to operate a complex dispatch system, respond to emergency and non-emergency calls, and coordinate with deputies, firefighters, and other public safety personnel.

This role requires knowledge of CAD and radio operations, strict attention to confidentiality, and the ability to stay calm under pressure while delivering clear, accurate information.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and minimal experience with telecommunications equipment.
• Knowledge of Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), two-way radio systems, and dispatch policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with FCC rules, NCIC/NLETS, and confidentiality requirements.
• Ability to communicate clearly and maintain composure under stress.

Responsibilities

• Answers incoming emergency calls for service and obtains required information for a safe, efficient emergency response; enter all information regarding the incident into the Computer Aided Dispatch System; provides self-help pre-arrival instructions to callers with established APCO Emergency Medical protocols.
• Answers non-emergency and administrative calls for service, obtains pertinent information to respond to requests or make referrals as appropriate in adherence with established policies and procedures.
• Operates telecommunications equipment and receives calls from sources such as sheriff's office, city police, fire departments, alarm systems, ambulance, first responders, civil defense, electrical companies, lift stations, E-911, County Engineer, Animal Control and Conservation; transmits messages to deputies on duty; dispatches ambulance, first responders, wreckers, deputies, firefighters and other public safety personnel as necessary in adherence with established policies and procedures. Tracks and documents current status of personnel and equipment dispatched.
• Operates telecommunications equipment and monitors various radio frequencies such as law enforcement, LEA, Mutual Aid, county road, fire department, first responders, civil defense, ambulance, deputies and city police departments in the county; responds to and transmits messages as needed.
• Operates IOWA/NCIC computer system; disseminates information such as driver's license vehicle registrations, missing persons, wanted persons and stolen items to public safety personnel and agencies in accordance with local, state and federal regulations; enters information on these subjects as required into IOWA/NCIC and other local records systems.
• Maintains accurate records such as radio logs, phone slips, recorded tapes, teletype messages, warrants, missing persons, stolen items, E911 updates and CCH updates according to established procedures.
• Notifies supervisor of equipment malfunctions or failures; performs daily maintenance and cleanliness duties in the communications section work area.
• Maintains awareness of surrounding activities in the communications center including other Telecommunicators and provides appropriate backup assistance as needed.
• Participates in special projects and/or assignments that are directly related to the communications division.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Calm under pressure

Time management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

IOWA/NCIC system

Two-way radio systems

Job description

Summary Description

Performs intermediate administrative work operating a complex communication system for the Story County Sheriff's Office; responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service; receives and dispatches routine or emergency information to law enforcement and/or emergency personnel by radio, telephone or teletype, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Communications Operations Manager.

Summary Description

Performs intermediate administrative work operating a complex communication system for the Story County Sheriff's Office; responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service; receives and dispatches routine or emergency information to law enforcement and/or emergency personnel by radio, telephone or teletype, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Communications Operations Manager.

Story County is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Answers incoming emergency calls for service and obtains required information for a safe, efficient emergency response; enter all information regarding the incident into the Computer Aided Dispatch System; provides self-help pre-arrival instructions to callers with established APCO Emergency Medical protocols.
• Answers non-emergency and administrative calls for service, obtains pertinent information to respond to requests or make referrals as appropriate in adherence with established policies and procedures.
• Operates telecommunications equipment and receives calls from sources such as sheriff's office, city police, fire departments, alarm systems, ambulance, first responders, civil defense, electrical companies, lift stations, E-911, County Engineer, Animal Control and Conservation; transmits messages to deputies on duty; dispatches ambulance, first responders, wreckers, deputies, firefighters and other public safety personnel as necessary in adherence with established policies and procedures. Tracks and documents current status of personnel and equipment dispatched.
• Operates telecommunications equipment and monitors various radio frequencies such as law enforcement, LEA, Mutual Aid, county road, fire department, first responders, civil defense, ambulance, deputies and city police departments in the county; responds to and transmits messages as needed.
• Operates IOWA/NCIC computer system; disseminates information such as driver's license vehicle registrations, missing persons, wanted persons and stolen items to public safety personnel and agencies in accordance with local, state and federal regulations; enters information on these subjects as required into IOWA/NCIC and other local records systems.
• Monitors fire, burglary and courthouse fire panel systems; operates telecommunications equipment and dispatches appropriate personnel and/or vehicles and equipment as required.
• Maintains accurate records such as radio logs, phone slips, recorded tapes, teletype messages, warrants, missing persons, stolen items, E911 updates and CCH updates according to established procedures.
• Notifies supervisor of equipment malfunctions or failures; performs daily maintenance and cleanliness duties in the communications section work area.
• Maintains awareness of surrounding activities in the communications center including other Telecommunicators and provides appropriate backup assistance as needed.
• Participates in special projects and/or assignments that are directly related to the communications division.

May be required to work day, evening, or night shift and rotate between shifts; may be required to work holidays and weekends; may function in an on-call status and respond to emergency situations.

Qualifications

High school diploma or GED and minimal experience involving the use of telecommunications equipment, teletype, computer terminals and multi-line phone equipment, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Comprehensive knowledge of Computer Aided Dispatch system, two way radio communication systems and dispatch policies & procedures; thorough knowledge of FCC rules and regulations, procedures for entering/retrieving information from the Iowa System, National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Systems, and the National Law Enforcement Teletype System (NLETS), thorough knowledge Story County boundaries of jurisdiction and County geography; thorough technical knowledge of telecommunications principles and practices; thorough knowledge of County policies and services; thorough knowledge of laws and requirements concerning working with confidential information and the ability to maintain confidentiality of information; ability to verbally communicate accurate information distinctly, accurately and concisely in a non-emotional manner; ability to reason logically, react calmly/quickly and maintain composure under stress; ability to demonstrate excellent time management and organizational skills; ability to express ideas effectively in both oral and written formats; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to operate standard office equipment and related hardware and software; ability to learn specialized software and equipment; ability to deal with people and situations in a professional and tactful manner; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community partners, staff and the general public.

E-verify Process

Story County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with Story County must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity. Please be prepared to provide required documents on the first day of employment. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-382-7200 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov .

Testing date will be Thursday, October 1, at 5:30 pm, location TBD.

Physical & Environmental Characteristics

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).