Law Dispatcher I

Law Dispatcher I

This position receives requests and dispatches appropriate emergency units in response to all calls for services. Requests for services include, but are not limited to, those that are answered by 911 emergency or non-emergency lines or MCSO. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Dispatch Supervisor.

Duties:

• Abiding by the "Law Enforcement Code of Ethics."
• Dispatching Law Enforcement assignments and other official messages via the Law Enforcement radio or phone.
• Properly fulfilling requests from law enforcement personnel regarding support services such as rescue and EMS units, fire apparatus, wreckers, etc.
• Maintaining complete and current status of all on-duty deputies indicating their locations and activities.
• Monitoring, evaluating and dispatching all assigned calls for service in a timely manner with appropriate response.
• Providing deputies and supervisors with requested information whenever possible.
• Being alert for radio traffic and situations concerning Officer safety and taking action to ensure the proper response.
• Maintaining cleanliness and operational readiness of assigned work area and equipment.
• Maintaining all radio and phone communications in an efficient, courteous, and professional manner.
• Becoming familiar with the boundaries of Marion County and becoming familiar with the proper names, numbers and locations or roadways, public buildings, hospitals and so forth.
• Becoming familiar with Florida State Statutes, Department Standard Operating Procedures and other pertinent reference material pertaining to assistance in calls for service, proper responses and Officer-safety issues.
• Assisting in the equipment maintenance of the Communications Division and reporting all malfunctions and failures immediately.
• Being alert for conditions or situations that inhibit the efficient operation of the Agency or the Communications Division and making recommendations for solutions.
• Monitoring alarm computer.
• Maintaining appropriate current support classes such as CPR, incident management, and hazardous materials.
• Maintaining composure in stressful situations to ensure appropriate control of all calls so units are properly supplied with accurate information.
• Required to report to work at the appointed hour, as scheduled, and to work the entire assigned shift. Maintaining availability for on-call, including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Required to protect the privacy of all patient information in accordance with the Agency's privacy policies, procedures, and practices, as required by federal and state law, and in accordance with general principles of professionalism as a health care provider.
• Performing other related duties, as assigned, including modified schedule or temporary re-assignment during declared emergency or activations, as determined by the Sheriff.

Job prerequisites: High School diploma or GED. Ability to speak and enunciate the English language clearly. Ability to type 45 correct words per minute. Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations and remain calm during emergencies. Ability to maintain records. Have a pleasant and well-modulated voice. Ability to effectively communicate information both orally and in writing. Normal hearing ability. Ability to follow instructions with minimal supervision. Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action and response. Complete agency approved Dispatcher training with a certified Communications Training Officer. Within one year complete the following course; 232 hour Department of Health 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator course IS-5A, ICS 100, 200, 317, 700, 800 and 907. Upon completion of the Dispatcher Training, they will be eligible for a 6% salary increase. Upon successful completion of dispatch training and FDOH certification, a law dispatcher must complete a minimum of two (2) years of service in Dispatch prior to being eligible to submit a transfer request.

Working conditions: Work is performed in an enclosed area with background noise from radios, telephones, Teletype machines and other equipment. Shift work is required, including nights, weekends and holidays. Required to work overtime when necessary, sometimes on short notice. Subject to possible verbal abuse from callers and frequent exposure to traumatic situations. ADA: Physical and dexterity requirements: Requires light work that involves walking or standing, exerting up to twenty (20) pounds of force on a recurring basis; Requires the ability to sit at a desk and view a display screen for extended periods of time, the ability to lift, carry, push, or pull items up to ten (10) pounds; routine keyboarding operations. Environmental hazards: This job risks exposure to office related dust, fumes and odors. Work is performed in an enclosed area with background noise from radios, telephones, teletype machines and other equipment. Shift work is required, including nights, weekends and holidays. Required to work over-time, when necessary, sometimes on short notice. Subject to possible verbal abuse from callers and frequent exposure to traumatic situations. Sensory requirements: This job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing and speaking. The Marion County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the Sheriff's Office to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations. Veterans' Preference. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Candidates claiming Veterans Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office offers a highly competitive benefits package to all full-time employees and new incentives for Florida Certified Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers. Employee Benefits are detailed in the Marion County Sheriff's Office Operations Directive 3030.50 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - GENERAL. The following benefits are provided to all full-time employees. Some of the following are more fully described in the agency's operational directives. Annual Leave: Employees receive two weeks annual leave per the first through the fourth year of employment. Increases are given after 4, 9, 14, and 19 years of service. Holidays: The Agency recognizes nine holidays, which are identified each year by the Board of County Commissioners. Employees, depending on their assignments, receive either a day off or an extra day's pay for each holiday. Overtime Compensation: Employees receive compensation for overtime. They may receive pay, compensatory time, administrative time, or flextime, depending on their position and at the discretion of their supervisor. Medical Insurance: The Agency furnishes insurance through a group policy. The Agency pays a portion of the premium for the employee's medical insurance. The employee has the option, at their expense, to place their dependents on the same policy. If a full-time law enforcement or corrections officer suffers an on-duty catastrophic injury, in accordance with and defined by F.S.112.19 and 440.02(37), and is otherwise qualified, the Agency will pay the entire medical insurance premium of the employee, the employee's spouse and each dependent child until the child reaches the age of majority or until the last day of the calendar year when the child reaches the age of 25 if still a dependent for support, or if the child is a full or part-time student still dependent for support. If the employee dies, the Agency will continue to pay the premium for the dependent children and for the spouse until the spouse remarries. Benefits payable from another source will reduce these benefits paid by the Agency. To commit a fraud in obtaining these benefits is a first-degree misdemeanor. A conviction, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld, will result in the employee forfeiting the right to receive the benefits and having to pay the Agency back for benefits paid due to the fraud. In order for the officer or spouse and children to be eligible for benefits, the injury must have occurred while in fresh pursuit, responding to what is reasonably believed to be an emergency, or an unlawful act perpetrated by another. An employee qualified for these benefits is not eligible for any other health insurance subsidy from the Agency. F.S.S. 112.0801 provides that retirees and their eligible dependents shall be offered the same health and hospitalization insurance coverage as is offered to active employees. Retirees will receive a credit of $5.00 per month for each year worked, not to exceed $150.00 per month, or the cost of the insurance. Even though the State of Florida considers all service under the FRS, the Sheriff will only consider the years worked at the Marion County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's subsidy is a credit to the total cost of the insurance. This shall not exceed the total monthly cost, after subtracting the subsidy received from FRS. The subsidy shall be given to the employee until the employee reaches the age of 65, and then the benefit will stop. Worker's Compensation: Employees are covered by Worker's Compensation for on-duty injuries, per Worker's Compensation laws. Life Insurance: The Agency pays the premium for one (1) time the employee's annual salary for life insurance, including $12,000 accidental