Public Safety Telecommunicator

Freeborn County Government Center 411 Broadway S Albert Lea, MN 56007, USA Description Position Details The Public Safety Telecommunicator performs responsible communications work receiving, screening, prioritizing and processing emergency and non-emergency communications with the Sheriff’s Office for services of law enforcement, fire, ambulance, medical helicopter, state patrol and related state and local agencies and services. Duties include operation of all dispatch equipment and numerous clerical/technical tasks recording and entering data conforming to data access and data privacy requirements. Duties and Responsibilities • Receives and evaluates communications including emergency/non-emergency phone calls, electronic communications, alarms, etc. Determines appropriate responder(s) and dispatches in accordance with guidelines, service area maps and type and urgency of call. • Obtains relevant information from callers who may be under stress, angry, impaired, non-English speakers, in medical distress, or other situations requiring effective and calming communication. • Maintains communication with callers and attempts to keep them calm and on the line while paging for assistance to necessary units and agencies. • Operates and maintains the equipment of the Communication Center. • o Logs weather incidents and communicates with National Weather Servies • Prioritizes and dispatches calls to the appropriate agencies while assisting with other programs. Patches talk groups and channels for necessary groups. • o Requests auto launch and request communication channels • Transmits service requests to appropriate officer(s) or agency(s) and maintains communication with responders. • o Contacts tow companies and maintains tow sheet files • o Contact business keyholders when alarm companies call in alarms • o Contacts Red Cross and Salvation Army for local fire departments and duty officer • o Contacts street, water and park utilities when services are needed • o Contacts cell phone companies and other services to have pings on locations • o Contacts medical examiners when death occurs • o Contacts railroad companies when issues with railways • o Contacts judges to request assistance with signing search warrants • o Contacts Chaplain for assistance with death notifications, death scenes or transient assistance • Enter and maintains information into local, state and federal databases ensuring accuracy and relevancy and adherence to system requirements and data privacy. Determines which information is entered into various computer banks. Must stamp all entered data with input and verify stamp. • Take information on daily burn permits. • Monitors and acknowledges all emergency service units on duty including location, duty status, and activity status. Determines if status checks are required and whether to dispatch support. • Controls access to private and confidential information within the computer files. While having access to State, National, and Local records, they must follow policy and procedure on appropriate release of information at the request of the media or public. • Tests pagers, sirens, monitors and logs school and business fire drills in accordance with policy. • Updates, maintains and logs all calls given to officers. Records and documents all events in hot calls such as high-speed situations and robberies. • Completes and performs criminal background checks, license checks, or stolen property or missing persons by retrieving criminal history data from Federal and State resources, interpreting information, and distributing information in a timely manner. • Checks probation status/ conditions and may contact probation agents as needed. • Assists in the maintenance and updating of department files and records: • o Enters all stolen property and missing persons. • o Enters all warrants. • o Processes all warrants and completes warrant checks . • o Creates CIDS and will update data when available. • o Process animal control calls lost or at large animals • o Processes and maintains records for complaints for long grass, refuse, junk vehicles and parking • o Processes request for Gopher One • o Processes and enters gun permits • Provides information to deputies regarding warrants by accessing computer files. • Creates Initial Complaint Reports (ICR), assign activity codes and enter relevant data. • Refer calls to on-call child protection worker as indicated and/ or contacts on-call cvcc when needed. • Greet and assist office visitors and provide information and/or refer to appropriate person. • May be assigned as Dispatch Communications Training Officer (DCTO) for new hires. Oversee work performed by trainees, document with Daily Observation Reports and make appropriate recommendations to supervisor. • Responsible for the proper documentation of all activity of the public safety answering point. • Create and maintain a training book to meet the needs of the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center (Dispatch Communication Training Officers, only). • Attend monthly training. • Must auto page callback shifts. While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County. Position Requirements Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Exceptional oral communication skills. Ability to speak clearly and distinctly and hear, record and transmit information accurately. • Considerable ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people including hostile, frightened, incoherent and impaired persons. • Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow all data privacy requirements. • Considerable ability to multi-task. • Ability to handle several calls at once. • Strong aptitude and skill in various software and data base operations. • Knowledge of the county geographical area. Ability to read maps and receive and transmit directions. • Considerable ability to maintain composure and effectiveness during times of stress or high activity. • Considerable ability to operate various software, radio and phone operations. • Considerable ability to speak and hear by radio and telephone while performing routine duties and responding to emergency situations. • Ability to comprehend and retain a wide variety of policies and procedures. • Ability to handle a variety of typical assignments and problems under moderate supervision within standard operating procedures. • Work complexity includes the ability to handle many complex and significant variables, requiring analytical ability and inductive thinking in adapting policies, procedures, and methods to fit unusual and complex situations. • Ability to maintain frequent outside and inside contacts to carry out organizational programs on matters requiring cooperation, explanation and persuasion. Education and Experience • Requires High School Diploma or GED Licenses/Certifications • MNJIS Basic Operator Course • PSPortalsXL Certification • National Incidents Management Certification Equipment and Tools Responsibilities • Frequently operates office equipment. • Intermittently must operate County vehicles. Physical and Mental Requirements This job typically requires: sitting, standing, walking, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, typing, and seeing. This position may encounter unexpected and prolonged workdays and stress and pressure from dealing with emotional issues and conflicts. This position is exposed to computer keyboards, video screens, confined spaces and prolonged sitting. This position is generally light-duty and may require the exertion up to 20 pounds of force. The physical demands described here are representative to those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Working Conditions Work is performed in an office environment with work schedules covering 24 hours/day and 7 days/week. There may be travel required to other facilities, meetings training, etc. The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable Public Safety Telecommunicator accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Competencies Common to All County Positions • Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all office and applicable County policies and procedures. • Demonstration by personal example the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff. • Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible. • Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities. • Represent Freeborn County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies. Starting salary $28.87 per hour. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr