Police Dispatcher

Job TitleUnder the general direction of the designated supervisor, responsible for coordinating and maintaining the status of public safety personnel to provide appropriate police and/or fire Emergency Medical System (EMS) response by relaying information concerning emergency and non-police related activity between citizens and other agencies through the use of telephones, radio communications, teletype transmissions, and computer aided dispatch.This job has no supervisory responsibilities.Responsibilities and Reporting During an Emergency Situation: Essential Employees may be required to work during a declared emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice. Non Essential Employees will not be required to work during a declared emergency. The employee's Department Head will determine when the employee will be required to work.Sign-On Bonus: Additionally, you are being afforded a sign on incentive bonus of $4,000.00 gross as part of this offer. The hiring bonus will be paid as follows:$1,000 of this bonus will be paid within one month of your start date.$1,000 of this bonus will be paid when the Florida State Certified 911 Operator certification is received by the employee.$1,000 of this bonus will be paid when the employee successfully completes the FMPD Communications Training Program.$1,000 of this bonus will be paid upon completion of two years of employment.Perks and Benefits:Free city-paid employee health coverage, additional for spouse or family3 weeks Paid Time Off (sick & vacation)13 paid holidaysPension plan & optional Deferred CompensationCity-paid life insuranceOptional Vision, Dental, and Disability InsuranceTuition reimbursementOn-site Gym facilityAnd much more!Duties/ResponsibilitiesReceives and responds to emergency and non-emergency calls including enhanced 911, and non-emergency calls from the public and area public safety agencies via telephone, radio systems or the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system.Operate a variety of communications equipment to include Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD), Records Management Systems (RMS), radio systems, FCIC/NCIC Teletype System, telephones, fax machines, computer systems, and other communication equipment.Processes and evaluates information received, prioritizes calls and dispatches required units and/or other agencies in accordance with established procedures.Monitors and maintains status, location, and activities of police units via police radio frequencies.Create and maintain automated or manual logs of public safety communications activity;Accesses and enters sensitive data in NCIC/FCIC databases; receive requests for information regarding vehicle registration, driving records and wants/warrants, enters and maintains files for persons or property pending apprehension/recovery and provides pertinent data to patrol officers and/or detectives.Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties.Keeps informed of departmental regulations, policies and procedures.May assist in providing on-the-job training for Police Dispatchers and Call Takers and submit progress reports and evaluations of trainees.This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the employee's physical presence at the workplace.Performs other duties as assigned.Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesKnowledge of modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers, typewriters, printers, copiers, and telephone answering devices.Skill in multi-tasking and making quick decisions under stress.Skill in oral communications and listening for effective understanding, expression and clarity.Must be able to operate necessary equipment, including Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD), FCIC/NCIC Teletype System, personal computer, radio systems, multi-line telephone system, copier, facsimile machine, and other standard office equipment.Must have the ability to work twelve hour rotating shifts, including nights, holidays, weekends and during emergencies.Ability to perform under stress when confronted with individuals acting under stress and in emergency or life-threatening situations.Ability to remain non-judgmental when receiving informationAbility to communicate compassion and empathy consistently.Ability to apply sound judgment and interpretation based on acquired knowledge in circumstances where limited standardization exists.Ability to exercise discretion due to the sensitive and confidential nature of information processed.Ability to draw valid conclusions in task processing and prioritization.Ability to handle multiple diverse task simultaneously while maintaining an attention to detail for ensuring accuracy in task performance.Ability to understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.Ability to understand, interpret and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures.Ability to work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone.Ability to demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.Must be able to communicate effectively with the public, and remain calm under stressful and non-stressful conditions.Must be able to convey verbal information in a clear, concise and intelligent manner.Written communications must be accurate, concise, legible and timely.Minimum RequirementsHigh School diploma or GED.Must be 18 years of age or olderMust take and pass a typing test.Mandatory Drug/Alcohol Testing required.Must submit to a complete background investigation including fingerprint check, polygraph (lie detector), and psychological evaluation and found to be of good moral character.Physical Demands and Working ConditionsThis work typically requires the following physical activities to be performed.Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.Climbing – ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility.Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction.Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.Standing – for sustained periods of time.Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken wordCrouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine.Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.Fingering – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand.Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.Hearing 2 – receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.Work performed is primarily: Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects