911 Dispatch - Public Safety Communications Officer

Public Safety Dispatcher

Responsible for receiving requests for information, non-emergency and/or emergency assistance from the general public, law enforcement, fire and medical personnel. Work is performed under the general direction of the Public Safety Communications Officer Supervisor or Public Safety Answering Point Manager/9-1-1 Director.

Essential functions of work include:

• Monitor and dispatch appropriate law enforcement, fire and medical personnel to calls for service that involve life threatening or other emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Monitor radio traffic on multiple frequencies for law enforcement, fire and medical personnel as well as being able to communicate with other city, county, state and federal agencies on mutual aid radio frequencies.
• Operate and maintain proficiency in multiple computer systems and programs.
• Using established medical protocols and procedures determine the level of response on all requests for medical assistance – emergency and non-emergency along with providing lifesaving instructions to 9-1-1 callers.
• Work with distraught callers to determine location and nature of emergency, or threat to life, limb or property.
• Prepare various records and reports in order to properly document shift activities.
• Provide information to law enforcement personnel by accessing computerized information regarding criminal histories, active warrants, vehicle registration, driver's license status and similar information.

Education and experience required:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Six months of experience as a public safety dispatcher (desired, not required).

Necessary special qualifications:

• CPR Certification or ability to become certified
• CJIN Certification within six months of hire
• Public Safety Communicator Basic Certification (POST) within 12 months
• Ability to type 40 words per minute
• Pass a psychological evaluation prior to employment
• Pass an extensive background check prior to employment
• Possession of a valid Montana driver's license

Requirements of work include:

• Ability to learn and retain a substantial knowledge of law enforcement, fire and medical dispatch policies and procedures.
• Ability to learn and retain an extensive knowledge of the geographic area served.
• Ability to learn and retain a substantial knowledge of radio operations, repeater locations, paging systems, aural brevity codes and FCC rules and regulations.
• Willing to attend on and off site training programs as a part of continuing education, may require some travel.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, law enforcement, fire and medical personnel and the general public.
• Flexibility and ability to work different shifts, overtime, and be subject to "call in" as required.

Core competencies:

• Highest degree and standard of ethical conduct, confidentiality and credibility
• Communication proficiency
• Customer/client focus
• Problem solving/analysis
• Stress management/composure
• Technical capacity

Supervisory responsibility: This position does not supervise any other positions.

Work environment: Work is conducted in an open office environment with multiple stations.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, reach, ride and perform similar body movements. Must have the ability to perform light physical work and to lift and carry up to 25 pounds at a time; the possession of hand/eye coordination sufficient to operate a personal computer, office equipment and a motor vehicle; the ability to talk and hear in person or by telephone; and the ability to see and read instructions and reports.

Expected hours of work: The work schedule is 40-hours per week, Sunday through Saturday with rotating shifts and days off. We currently operate on the Panama Schedule, which consists of 12-hour shifts. Every two months, employees rotate between day and night shifts. This rotation gives employees every other weekend off. This position is a non-exempt and eligible for overtime. Any overtime must be authorized prior to working.

Travel: Travel is primarily local during the business day. Occasional travel may be required to attend off-site training and educational opportunities.