911 Dispatcher

Job Title and Description

Under general supervision, this position receives and evaluates calls from the public for police, fire, ambulance, and other emergency services, as well as non-emergency calls, using the city's computer aided dispatch system. Reports to the 911 Dispatcher Supervisor. Dispatches emergency personnel or other emergency response and public safety agencies; operates computer terminal for access connection to Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Responds to a variety of emergency and non-emergency services and complaints; calms, reassures, and verbally interrogates callers to interpret, analyze and anticipate the effect of situations to resolve problems, provide requested information, or refer callers; translates information to appropriate codes; determines and assigns level of priority and enters data to a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system for radio dispatch; and may perform Emergency Medical Dispatch and crisis intervention and use Emergency Medical Guide cards or software to ask vital questions and provide pre-arrival instructions for emergency medical calls. Contacts business owners in response to business establishment alarms or other emergencies; may contact Child Protective Services, Juvenile Court Services, and other human services emergency response agencies in response to complaints or service calls; logs all calls received; answers telephones; and receives and or transmits inquiries to appropriate personnel, departments, or agencies; receives and acknowledges radio transmissions of Police, Fire and EMS, and exchanges information as necessary via radio. Queries, enters, modifies, and clears information in local, state, and national computerized databases such as the Virginia Crime Information Network (VCIN), National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pertaining to arrest warrants, driver record and history, stolen property, other similar data and transmits relevant information to field units. Operates a computer terminal to obtain driver's history, vehicle registration data, criminal record information, stolen property information, etc. as necessary; and queries computer and dispatches administrative messages nationwide; contacts owners of stolen vehicles that have been recovered; contacts tow truck companies when services are required; and assists in the training and education of less experienced and newly hired dispatchers. Performs other related work as required. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.