EMERGENCY SERVICES DISPATCHER (OA)

Summary Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to provide emergency police, fire, and medical services to the public by answering emergency 911 calls and responding with appropriate personnel and equipment. Responsibilities Provides emergency 911-call taking and communication services. Serves as primary call taker for certified Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and/or Enhanced 911 system. Determines the nature of the emergency by caller interrogation and prioritizes all incoming emergency and non-emergency calls. Maintains effective communications with field units and monitors status and availability of response units. Maintains constant liaison with the resources at the scene of the emergency to include, fire officials, fire apparatus, specialized equipment, and any other unit control centers involved with the emergency until official termination of the incident. Prepares and maintains reports and records relating to emergency responses. Prepares National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) reports utilizing the correct response codes and categories to complete the response report for each emergency incident, in accordance with published guidelines. Maintains maps, checklists and charts, including automated programs. Maintains a current automated outage status file and ensures oncoming senior fire officials receive current outage reports. Maintains an automated activity log of all significant daily events, vehicle movements, emergencies, processes, or notifications received through the Emergency Communications Center. Operates and maintains telephones, automated data processing equipment (ADPE), printers, recorders, facsimile equipment, and other devices installed in the Emergency Communications Center. Monitors radio and telephone communications with fire units to assure resources are available during emergencies. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule, Clerical and Administrative Support positions, Dispatching Series, 2151. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-04, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of the communications equipment, alarm equipment and systems and the radio usage and procedures. Position is required to have extensive knowledge of vehicle dispatching procedures, resources capabilities, as well as detailed geographic knowledge of the jurisdiction served. Knowledge of the Computer Aided Dispatching (CAD) system for emergency 911 calls and responds with the appropriate personnel and equipment, i.e., police, fire, ambulance, Medevac, rescue or hazardous materials units. Knowledge of the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) system. Knowledge of fire protection and prevention theories, techniques and practices relative to various types of emergencies, hazardous material situations and medical emergencies. OR EDUCATION: 4 years above high school obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-04 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-05 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of emergency 911 communications operations. 2. Knowledge of basic computer operations to include word processing, retrieval and input of data. 3. Knowledge of location and availability of emergency apparatus, the kind of apparatus and equipment needed for the emergency at hand. 4. Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing using a calm and stable demeanor while dealing with emergency situations. 5. Skill in operating emergency dispatch communications equipment. 6. Ability to work independently without immediate supervision. Ability to maintain good working relations; to communicate orally and in writing; to lift and carry light loads. Ability to prioritize, multi-task and organize work. Ability to read maps which reflect such systems as electrical, water, gas, central heating distribution, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and pollution control. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Additional Information Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.