Public Safety Dispatcher

Public Safety Dispatcher

Salary: $26.33/hr. to $30.05/hr. midpoint (Depending on qualifications)

To provide a variety of specialized and routine tasks in the provision of emergency and non-emergency communication services. To answer multi-line, 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls and respond appropriately. To provide emergency dispatch services for the Police and Fire Departments for the City of Mesquite.

General supervision is provided by the Public Safety Dispatcher Supervisor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. All behaviors comply with the Code of Conduct and Rules of Behavior outlined in Chapter 8 of the General Government Policies and Procedures Manual.
2. Follow all Police and Fire Department General Orders and SOP's.
3. Adheres to assigned work schedule as outlined in city and department attendance policies and procedures.
4. Receive and process requests for Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services by analyzing and prioritizing emergency and non-emergency calls. Forward calls to appropriate departments and personnel.
5. Assign appropriate public safety personnel to emergency and/or routine calls for service utilizing a computer aided dispatch system (CAD).
6. Receive, transmit, and update pertinent information on all calls for services including those in progress and those involving other agencies; monitor activities of Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Service personnel; maintain the location and call status of all emergency units during an assigned dispatch shift.
7. Operate a multi-channel public safety radio system.
8. Coordinate mutual aid requests.
9. Communicate with hearing/speech impaired citizens by operating TTY/TDD equipment.
10. Receive and process Text to 9-1-1 calls.
11. Provide pre-arrival medical instructions on medical emergency calls.
12. Operate NCIC/TCIC computer system; enter data; retrieve pertinent information; relay information to emergency personnel; purge printouts from NCIC/TCIC system; maintain computers and related equipment; verify reports and data entered during shift; validate entries.
13. Contribute to a positive work culture.
14. Maintain strict confidentiality of all documents, radio and phone transmissions and other sensitive information handled through the Communications Section.
15. Gain and maintain basic knowledge of geography for the City of Mesquite and the surrounding area.
16. Act as a liaison between the Mesquite Police and Fire Departments and other city departments or governmental agencies.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

1. Monitor jail alarms and other city systems as required.
2. May search prisoners.
3. May witness statements by witnesses, prisoners or suspects.
4. May participate in internal and external training exercises and programs; may assist in training of new personnel.
5. May monitor the weather.
6. May fill out status and activity reports at the close of each shift; complete other pertinent reports as assigned.
7. May maintain and update call list for after hour's emergency and non-emergency response personnel.
8. May supervise and monitor assigned personnel in the Technical Services Division of the Mesquite Police Department; assign and coordinate activities and operations of communications services; train staff and maintain personnel records for division; advise and participate in hiring, disciplining, evaluating and terminating staff.
9. Meet the City's driving standards.
10. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

• High School Diploma or GED

Experience

• No experience required
• Ability to type 35 wpm, testing required

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a valid driver's license.
• The ability to obtain certification as a Telecommunications Officer by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).
• Candidates must be a U.S. Citizen and be 18 years of age or older.

Work Schedule

• The 911 Dispatch Center is a 24 hour-7 days per week operation. Due to the nature of the Public Safety Dispatcher position, applicants must understand that rotating shifts during training will occur on a month-to-month basis during the first year of employment. If hired you will work a variety of shifts while in training, once you have completed training you will be able to bid to a set shift.

If you are offered the position of Public Safety Dispatcher, you are agreeing to work:

• 10-hour shifts, 4 days per week
• Holidays (if scheduled as a normal working day)
• Weekends
• Deep Nights
• Evenings
• On Call for Disasters
• Rotation of shifts while in training

You must be able to work the following rotating shifts on a month-to-month basis during the first year of employment:

1. 6am-4pm
2. 8am-6pm
3. 10am-8pm
4. 12pm-10pm
5. 4pm-2am
6. 8pm-6am
7. 10pm-8am

This position requires a one-year probationary period due to length of training program.

A total of four months can be spent on Channel One training. Failure to obtain proficiency in Channel One in the four-month period will result in a non-disciplinary termination of employment. Additional training periods may be approved at the discretion of the Department Director.

Minimum typing speed at the completion of Channel One training must be 45 wpm.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

Full Time Employees:

The City of Mesquite offers the Zero Premium, Employee Only Benefits under the following plans: High Deductible Medical Plan, Dental HMO Plan, Vision Plan, and Life Insurance. The City is self-insured and offers a choice of two medical plans: HSA, and High Deductible Medical Plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Employee medical coverage goes into effect the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Coverage is available to all full-time employees at group rates. Employees enrolled in the City's self-insured medical plan also have access to the Mesquite Employee Health Center (MEHC) clinic and pharmacy. The City offers three dental plan options: a managed plan (DHMO), an indemnity plan (DPPO), an enhanced indemnity plan (DPPO Enhanced). Coverage is available to all full-time employees at group rates. The City offers free Vision Insurance to all employees. Dependents can be added for an additional fee. Basic Group Life Insurance protection is provided to eligible full-time employees in the amount of two times the annual salary as recorded at the beginning of each year. The following voluntary benefits are available to full-time employees: Supplemental Life, AD&D Insurance, Cancer Insurance and Long-Term Disability Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS): All employees appointed to positions designated to work 1,000 hours or more per year must participate in the TMRS. TMRS is a qualified tax-deferred retirement plan under Section 401 of the IRS. Seven (7) percent of gross earnings are deducted each payroll as a pre-tax deduction and deposited into the member account. When an employee becomes vested and retires, the City provides 2-to-1 matching contributions. Other benefits include Social Security, Tax Saver Program (Section 125 Flexible Spending Account), Deferred Compensation Plans, Direct Deposit, Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Personal Leave.