Public Safety Communications Dispatcher

Public Safety Communications DispatcherDepending on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate, those applicants with more experience will be eligible to hire in at a higher rate that commensurate with their experience. APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE Once you've applied and met minimum qualifications, the following steps will be necessary to continue in the hiring process. Preliminary Interview Form, Skills Testing, Interviews, Personal History Statement (25 pages), Background Investigation, Polygraph Examination, Psychological Evaluation, Health Assessment and Drug Screen.Responsible for answering all incoming emergency 911 calls using a computer-aided dispatch system to assist police, firefighters, paramedics, and animal services officers, answering incoming administrative lines, and giving pre-arrival medical instructions to callers.Essential Functions and Other Important Duties:Answers incoming 911, TTY emergency and non-emergency calls. Prioritizes calls and determines proper routing utilizing established guidelines and operating proceduresAssigns calls and report numbersDispatches animal services officers, police officers, firefighters, and ambulance services to calls for serviceEvaluates information to determine jurisdiction, equipment, and personnel to be dispatchedConfirms warrants for internal and external agenciesMonitors multiple radio channels and dispatches appropriate public safety personnel.Ensures dispatch of officer requests for back-up or traffic-related assistance, etc.Provides pre-arrival instructions for emergency medical calls and relays vital information to hospital emergency rooms when necessaryMaintains the accurate status of each officer on patrol, firefighters, EMS, and animal services personnel, including times in and out of service and locationsDocuments all 800 MHz radio transmissionsRuns wanted and/or stolen checks through the National and Texas computer systems for outstanding warrants or other Information. Confirms and relays information to originating officersInputs and monitors teletype information, protective orders, and missing person reports from applicable regional, state, and national databasesSends teletypes, which includes entering, clearing, canceling, along with validating computer entriesObtains a variety of information for officers and/or applicable external police agencies, which may include: driver's license information, criminal histories, property information, and/or other related informationMaintains familiarity with major streets, public buildings, industrial plants, and the general geographic layout of the City of Denton, Texas including reading and understanding mapsMaintains regular and punctual on-site attendanceAdditional Duties: Performs other duties as assignedJob Requirements:Minimum Qualifications/Acceptable Equivalency:High School diploma or GED equivalentMust be able to type at least 40 words per minute correctedOR Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the jobCore Competencies:Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writingAbility to form and maintain effective relationships with coworkers and customersPreferences:Bilingual in Spanish and EnglishPrior experience as a Telecommunicator in a Law Enforcement CenterConditions of Employment:Must pass a drug test, credit history check, criminal history background check, and social security number verification checkMust pass the CritiCall Skills AssessmentMust attend and successfully complete in-service training schoolsMust obtain NCIC Telecommunicator Certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification, TCIC/NCIC Certification and TCOLE Certification within one (1) year of employment.Must have no Class A or Class B misdemeanor convictions in the past (10) yearsMust have no felony convictionsMust pass polygraph exam, psychological exam, and credit checkMust pass a hearing testMust pass a typing test with 40 words per minute correctedMust meet civilian hiring standards of the Denton Police DepartmentA personal history statement must be submitted with each application (thorough background check)Must be able to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidaysPlease note Public Safety Dispatchers and Non-civil service Fire Department employees that are under the age of 36 at the time they are hired will be placed in the Fire Pension Plan.Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements:Physical Requirements: Overall Strength Demands: The italicized word describes the overall strength demand of the functions performed by the incumbent during a typical workday. Sedentary – lifting no more than 10 pounds Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carry up to 10 pounds Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds, carry up to 25 pounds Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds, carry up to 50 pounds Very Heavy – lifting more than 100 pounds, carry more than 50 pounds Physical Demand Codes: The following describes if the incumbent is expected to exert the following physical demands during a typical workday and the overall frequency. Codes for "how often": Y = Yes N = No E = extensive (100-70%) M = moderate (60-30%) I = infrequent (20-10%) A = almost never (<10%) Task: Code: 1. Standing: M 2. Sitting: E 3. Walking: M 4. Lifting: I 5. Carrying: I 6. Pushing/Pulling: A 7. Overhead Work: I 8. Fine Dexterity: A 9. Kneeling: M 10. Crouching: I 11. Crawling: A 12. Bending: A 13. Twisting: A 14. Climbing: M 15. Balancing: I 16. Vision: E 17. Hearing: E 18. Talking: E 19. Video Display: E 20. Other: Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids: The essential functions of this position require the use of a computer and telephone daily in order to dispatch calls. Environmental Factors: The essential functions of this position are performed inside throughout the work year; requires shift work on a rotating basis, and incumbents are exposed to extremely high stress situations.