Job Description

Summary:

An employee in this class answers emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire, and other emergency services using a multi-line telephone and 911 systems. Employees in this class have successfully completed all training and can function proficiently with the Law Enforcement or EMS radio system. This position is responsible for fast, efficient, and accurate receiving, dispatching, and processing of calls and messages. The work is performed under the supervision of a Communications Officer II. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment, frequently under stressful conditions.

Key Responsibilities

· Receives, evaluates, and prioritizes requests for emergency and non-emergency service from the public, police and fire agencies, County offices, contract agencies, and other callers;

· Interviews emergency callers to determine the nature of the emergency, location of the incident, other related information and the need for dispatching of emergency assistance using a telephone switchboard according to established rules and procedures;

· Processes the requests received according to procedure; determines as much information as possible from the requestor to enable the most appropriate agency of responsibility and the most appropriate level of response;

· Uses computer aided dispatch to enter requests for service and track officer-initiated incidents;

· Dispatches fire units, police units, ambulances, and other necessary emergency and non-emergency equipment and personnel to aid officers in the field or the general public in emergency and non-emergency situations;

· Establishes a priority to each request in accordance with established guidelines and enters the request into the computer-assisted dispatch system for dispatch;

· Maintains telephone contact with callers in evolving situations until the arrival of personnel who take command of the incident;

· Determines from phrasing, vocal stress, and level of cooperation the condition of the caller to provide a proper level of response to the request to ensure the safety of the caller and responders;

· Retrieves and provides information from DMV, NCIC and ILETS to requesting field units;

· Enters and maintains clear and concise records in ILETS and NCIC;

· Maintains accurate log of calls, activities, reports, requests, and related information;

· Monitors radio transmissions from field units to track availability and location and monitor for safety;

· Monitors radio transmissions from other County, law enforcement, emergency, and non-emergency agencies;

· Retrieves and provides information to requesting agencies on outstanding warrants, protection orders, and related information;

· Provides assistance, information, and answers inquiries from the public;

· Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County and Office policies, procedures and safety practices.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

· Perform other data entry work for the Sheriff’s Office;

· Testifies in court, as needed;

· Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

· Telephone call-handling techniques;

· Radio transmission procedures to produce effective communication between two parties;

· Federal (FCC), County, Office, contract agency, and other applicable policies, rules, and regulations

· County streets and surrounding areas, including geographical layout of contracting cities within the County and other operating districts served by the Office;

· Police and Fire/EMS dispatch procedures;

· Office organization, policies, and procedures;

· Specialized and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) operating system and multi-line telephone system;

· Operation of a personal computer and job-related software.

Ability to:

· Work cooperatively and constructively with fellow workers and members of the public to provide public service of the highest quality and quantity;

· Follow written and oral instructions;

· Enter and retrieve data and information with accuracy and speed;

· Operate radio transmitting equipment in a fast and efficient manner, including under stress;

· Perform routine clerical work;

· Follow Office guidelines and procedures relating to response to emergency situations;

· Exercise good judgment in the handling and prioritizing of calls within the Office;

· Effectively communicate and make decisions related to dispatching emergency vehicles under stressful work conditions;

· Listen and retain information communicated in emergency calls;

· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other County employees and the general public;

· Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing;

· Operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties;

· Operate specialized computer-assisted dispatch (CAD) communications equipment, criminal information retrieval systems, and a multi-line telephone system;

· Operate a motor vehicle;

· Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports;

· Respond to citizen requests in a courteous and effective manner;

· Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under stress and the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;

· Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner;

· Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Acceptable Experience and Training

· High school diploma or GED equivalency; and

· Some experience and/or training in emergency dispatch, communications, or related field is preferred; or

· Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Special Qualifications

· Idaho driver’s license;

· Idaho POST certification within one year of hire;

· Bilingual (Spanish and English) preferred.

· Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a polygraph examination, through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Essential Physical Abilities

· Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions, to listen and respond to radio transmissions and voice instructions; to communicate effectively in person, on the telephone, and over a two-way radio; ability to hear sounds within the normal range of hearing (phone conversations, co-workers, supervisors, radio traffic) and to hear in the presence of noise;

· Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to review a wide variety of written and electronic materials, distinguish letters and numbers, and to see in detail objects or printed material at greater than arms length;

· Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate control mechanisms such as radio knobs and other mechanisms requiring fine adjustments to position, to handle a variety of records and files, to type with speed and accuracy, to operate a motor vehicle, and to operate standard office equipment and a personal computer;

· Sufficient personal mobility, agility, and flexibility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to stand or sit for long periods of time, move between work stations, lift up to 25 pounds, and work in an office environment.

EOE Statement

Canyon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions related to recruitment and selection are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Job Tags

Full time, Contract work,

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