POLICE “DISPATCHER” (COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR)

SHIFTS VARY FOR 24 HOUR COVERAGE

PART TIME AND FULL TIME

JOB DESCRIPTION

PAY RANGE: 12.23/hr. FLSA: NON-EXEMPT

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Respond to calls regarding emergencies requiring Police, Fire and/or EMS assistance; dispatch Police, Fire and/or EMS units as needed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: High School diploma or GED. Police, Fire and EMS dispatching experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES: Excellent verbal communication; ability to maintain composure with difficult, irate, hysterical or non-communicative individuals; take information quickly; give instructions or dispatch units quickly and accurately. Ability to determine nature of emergency, appropriate, immediate response to situation; number of units to dispatch; appropriate agencies to call in; nature of additional information. Read manuals for chemical emergencies, maps, data systems and computer. Write log of all calls; describe emergency situations, compose other related reports and general interoffice correspondence.

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT AND WORK AIDES: Two-way radio, multi-line telephones, TDD phone, policies and procedures, special equipment such as 9-1-1 equipment, CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch), law and ordinance books, directory files, street and telephone number reference books, recorder, printers, maps and headsets.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Lightning (rarely), riding with Police, Fire and EMS, electrical equipment grounding problems, exposed wiring, assist in the searching of prisoners. Radio feedback, noise from radios and alarms, and adjacent office noise.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Answer calls and dispatch Police, Fire or EMS units to emergencies; determine if emergency or non-emergency, extent and type of assistance needed; log calls; use multiple computer monitors; refer calls to other agencies or departments:

Maintain communication, concentration and sound judgment in life threatening or crisis situations, or when callers are irate, verbally abusive, hysterical or minimally communicative; handle multiple calls simultaneously; make split second decisions based on analysis of limited information or resources available and knowledge of emergency procedures.

Attend training: In-service Officer training; 40 hours of annual Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education; and various Texas Department of Public Safety classes.

Additional Clerical Duties:

Compose reports, general correspondence and maintain logs. Update “criss-cross” street telephone indexes; respond to the public and police personnel at the receptionist window; file/retrieve records from hard copy files or computer files; notify appropriate City departments of calls from previous day; handle non-emergency City calls after hours. Type and make copies of accident and DWI reports; collect bonds and fine money and issued receipts.

Miscellaneous Related Duties:

Change computer and printer paper; maintain copy machine; alarms.

Female Dispatchers – assist officers with searches and/or transport of female prisoners.

PHYSICAL DEMAND:

SITTING – Most of the work day; while receiving and dispatching calls and recording information; while attending training.

HEARING and SPEAKING – Primary aspect of job; to take and dispatch calls; auditory discrimination helpful in identifying Police, Fire or EMS units in emergency situations, respond to people at the window.

VISION – Near vision to view computer monitors and reference materials.

FINE DEXTERITY – To use computer keyboard, two-way radio, load tapes, maintain equipment, write memos and record information in log books.

HANDLING/REACHING – To use telephone, radio, computers, reference materials, radio console/computer controls are about 24” reach.

WALKING/CLIMBING – To and from file cabinets; short distance on tile, stair to second floor.

STANDING – To respond to inquiries from people at the reception window; search through files.

BENDING/LIFTING – To use and maintain photocopy machine, accept and deliver packages.

CRIMINAL HISTORY, DRUG TEST and DRIVER'S LICENSE CHECK REQUIRED. City of Jacksonville conducts RANDOM DRUG tests