EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary: 
The Emergency Communications Officer receives requests from the public for police, fire, and emergency medical assistance, and quickly and efficiently dispatches and/or relays calls for service to the appropriate police, fire, and emergency medical agencies or units. Assists emergency service agencies by collecting, retrieving, and disseminating information vital to operations. Also acts as a jailer providing supervision, cleaning duties, meals and phone calls for prisoners. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Dispatch Shift Leader and does not have supervisory responsibilities.

This position is designated as safety sensitive and is subject to random drug and alcohol screening. 

As a safety sensitive position, it is exempt from the use of medical marijuana. A pre-employment drug screening, to include marijuana, must be passed to begin employment.

Prior to submitting an application, prospective applicants are invited and encouraged to view the video listed below. Even though this is not the City of Owasso's communications center, this video on the link below gives a general idea of what an employee hired into this position can expect his/her day-to-day tasks to be. This video is intended to give a quick insight as to what the position entails, keeping in mind that this is approximately a 4-minute glimpse of a 12-hour shift in a communications center similar to the one at City of Owasso.

Salary:

• $19.88 per hour depending upon qualifications and experience, with the possibility of additional experienced based pay 
• For experienced dispatchers a $500/year incentive is offered for each full year of emergency dispatch experience (maximum of 5 full years; up to $2500) payable upon completion of a 6-month probationary period. Years of experience are approved at the discretion of the Chief of Police.

Benefits:
Regular full-time employees are eligible for excellent benefits, including:

• Affordable health Insurance
• Pension and supplemental retirement plans
• Wellness Initiatives, including $0 copay behavioral health services
• SmartDollar financial wellness tool
• On-site fitness center

For a detailed summary of benefits go to: OwassoBenefits.com.

Schedule :

• Requires ability to work either day or night shifts in increments of 8-12 hours
• May include working holidays
• Subject to emergency call-ins, shift hold over and schedule reassignment for the good of the service

Essential Functions:

• Accurately receives and dispatches calls for police, fire, emergency aid/ambulance and animal control
• Handles regular, multiple or conflicting demands, time pressures, deadlines or emergencies
• Views and operates a computer terminal for input and retrieval of records information, including networking with other service agencies and State and National Law enforcement computer systems, sometimes for sustained periods of time
• Converses by telephone and radio, communicating with and assisting the public, police and fire personnel during emergency and non-emergency situations
• Performs housekeeping duties in jail and dispatch areas, including but not limited to sweeping and mopping
• Requires sustained periods of concentration while performing regular job duties
• Performs other duties as assigned in a positive manner which supports the vision and strategic objectives of the division/department and the entire organization of the City of Owasso

Minimum Qualifications, Education and/or Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
• Valid OK driver license with no suspensions in the past 5 years
• Strongly prefer a minimum of 2 years previous experience in emergency services including police, fire or EMS agencies or private sector high volume call center
• Ability to keyboard at least 35 words per minute
• Must be skilled or expert in Microsoft Office applications with ability to use efficiently
• Ability to multi-task and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Must have a passion for helping others
• Possess emotional self-control in high stress volatile work environment
• Ability to react quickly, efficiently and calmly, and adopt an effective course of action in emergency and routine situations
• Must maintain high level of confidentiality
• Demonstrate a high level of accuracy
• Interest in continued training and learning toward the Dispatch field
• Must be able to pass a criminal background investigation, polygraph exam, psychological exam and drug screening

Preferred Certifications or the ability to obtain within first year of employment:

• OLETS certification
• Oklahoma State Jailer Certification
• CPR Certification / First Aid Certification
• APCO certification
• EMD certification

Working Environment and Physical Requirements:
Work will be performed indoors in a communications center with regular, multiple or conflicting demands, time pressures, deadlines, or emergencies, and requiring regular sustained concentration. The environment includes exposure to various noises and sounds, and may occasionally include exposure to cleaning solvents as part of jailer portion of the job.

Tasks typically involve sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time, reaching, repetitive motion, handling, feeling, hearing, and mental and visual acuity, manual dexterity for hand and foot coordination in order to operate required computer software and hardware equipment. Must be able to hear well enough in order to converse on the phone or in person, with ability to tune in to various sounds, and see well enough to operate equipment, view computer screen and fine print, input data, read directions, and inspect work performed for sustained periods of time. The job occasionally requires the ability to lift/push/pull and/or move up to 50 pounds unassisted.

Application Deadline:

• Applications will be accepted until position is filled, or until such time as a sufficient applicant pool has been received.
• Pre-employment Drug Screening and Background Check/Investigation Required
• External applicants apply at City's employment website at OwassoHires.com.