Public Safety Communications Specialist

Job TitlePolice Communications DispatcherJob DescriptionWorking for the City of McKinney is more than just a job; it's a chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Proudly recognized on the Top Workplaces USA list by USA TODAY, our team is dedicated to making McKinney one of the best places to work, live, and raise a family. Join us and start making a difference today.Our core values are Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (RISE). We are also supported by servant-based leaders who foster and support a healthy, family-oriented culture. All new employees are expected to embrace and live by our core values and commit to helping us sustain our exceptional work environment as a high performance organization.Under general supervision, receive and process requests for police, fire and emergency medical services in high stress situations; answer non-emergency and emergency 9-1-1 phone lines; dispatch and deploy public safety personnel to calls for service; operate various telecommunications equipment. Ability to work any assigned shift (days, evenings, nights), must be willing to work holidays, weekends and overtime, as needed for scheduling purposes. Perform other assigned duties as required.All qualified applicants will be notified of the testing details via e-mail and must have a current e-mail address. The computerized testing process evaluates typing, listening, reading and multitasking ability.Applicants are not eligible to test if they have tested or failed any portion of the hiring process within the previous 6 months or if you do not meet the requirements of the new Tattoo Policy. (See tattoo policy below)Personal history statements will be distributed following successful completion of the testing process. The hiring process for candidates that complete all portions of the pre-employment screenings may take 1-4 months. (See details of the process below)Essential Functions/Knowledge, Skills, & AbilitiesIn order for us to continue to achieve our primary function of making McKinney a better place to live, work, and raise a family, we hold these expectations for all employees.Learn and demonstrate an understanding of how team, department, and City goals are interconnected.Contribute to a positive work culture.Ability to assess his/her work performance or the work performance of the team.Contribute to the development of others and/or the working unit or overall organization.Ability and willingness to work as part of a team, to demonstrate team skills, and to perform a fair share of team responsibilities.Ability to continuously learn and develop through a mix of internal and external training opportunities, and if applicable, encourage subordinates to do the same.Answer multi-line, 9-11 emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatches and deploys public safety personnel to calls for service.Simultaneously listen to and comprehend both telephone and radio traffic often under loud and stressful conditions.Operate multi-channel public safety radio system.Assist with and record requests for police or fire and emergency medical services from the public and departmental personnel via telephone and radio utilizing a computer-aided dispatch system.Communicate effectively, courteously, and clearly in English, verbally and in writing; includes speaking distinctly, responding promptly, and hearing in the normal range to protect the safety of officers and the public.Communicates with hearing/speech-impaired citizens by operating specialized teletype device(s).Assign appropriate Public Safety personnel to routine and/or emergency calls for service utilizing a computer-aided dispatch system.Provide pre-arrival medical instructions following department prescribed protocol with NAED compliance.Document all activity, locations and statuses in the computer aided dispatch system for public safety personnel, quickly disseminating any additional information.Comprehend and apply city ordinances, policies and procedures.Monitors National Weather Service.Operate City Emergency Warning System and notify key personnel and other agencies in emergency operation situations.Maintain strict confidentiality of all documents, radio and phone transmissions and other sensitive information handled through the communications department.Adheres to assigned work schedule as outlined in city and department attendance policies and procedures.Drives to other City locations for meetings, etc. as required.Perform other duties as assigned or directed.Required QualificationsA high school diploma or GED, plus some experience in a high public contact/customer service area that required decision making and problem solving under stressful conditions. Prior experience in a multi-task environment involving data entry, phones, customer service, and/or radio communications.Lateral transfer opportunities for those with two (2) years of experience in any combination of Police, Fire, EMS, Military or other high-volume applicable dispatch environment.Qualified applicants will be required to pass a Communications compatibility and skills testing modules which evaluate data entry/keyboarding speed (minimum 30wpm), multi-tasking, memory recall, map reading, numerical prioritization, reading comprehension, spelling, and sentence clarity.Any work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above Minimum Qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements.Must obtain, Basic Telecommunicator and NCIC/TCIC or Full Access Operator plus Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) within one year from hire date.Must pass a drug screen and background check, driving record check, polygraph, psychological assessment, and medical screen to include hearing test.Must have Class C Texas Driver's LicenseBe able to work various shifts including nights, holidays, and weekends.Physical Demands/SupplementalTasks involve exerting up to ten (10) pounds of force and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.Work takes place in a relatively safe, secure, and stable environment with periods where errors can lead to significant physical consequences.The City of McKinney is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) committed to an alcohol / drug free workplace and to providing equal opportunities regardless of age, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.BenefitsThe City offers a full complement of benefits: Health Insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Medical and Childcare Account (FSA), Mental Health Care and Employee Assistance Program (EAP), City-paid and Voluntary Life Insurance, City-paid and Voluntary Long Term Disability Insurance, Supplemental Insurance through Aflac.Legal Services through Legal ShieldTuition Reimbursement (up to $10,000 per year)Wellness Program (earn up to $600 per year)Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) with a mandatory 7% employee contribution, city match 2:1, 5 year vesting, retire after 20 years of service, or age 60 with 5 years of service457(b) Deferred Compensation PlansPaid Time Off (PTO) including Paid Vacation (80 hours per year for new hires; tiered increases after 2 yrs), Sick Leave (135 hours per year for yourself and immediate family), Paid Parental Leave (80 hours for birth, adoption, or placement of a child in foster care), Ten Paid Holidays, Personal Day, Optional compensatory time for hourly employees, Compensatory time for salaried employees