Public Safety Dispatcher

Public Safety Dispatcher

Public Safety Dispatchers support public safety agencies by receiving emergency and non-emergency telephone and radio messages in a communication center, entering all requests for service into the computer-aided dispatch (CAD), and dispatching public safety personnel as warranted. Employees in this job class provide information and referrals to citizens for non-emergency calls. Work is performed in a call center setting and employees operate a technological workstation to include the simultaneous operation of multiple computer monitors, video monitors, telephones, two-way radios, etc. Public Safety Dispatchers do not supervise others. Work is reviewed by the shift supervisor by playing back recorded calls and checking records for accuracy and correctness.

Examples Of Duties

Typical Job Duties:

• Answers and manages calls to allow effective communication and response of emergency responders (i.e., police, fire, emergency medical services (EMS)) for citizens during emergency situations.
• Provides information and referrals to citizens, public safety personnel, media, etc. by responding to calls involving non-emergency situations.
• Operates technology-based work station that includes multiple video monitors, multiple software programs running simultaneously, a personal computer, phone lines, headsets, and alarm boards in order to receive, forward, and monitor calls for services.
• Dispatches public safety personnel (i.e., police, fire, and medical emergency) and informs responding units of pertinent information regarding emergency situations.
• Monitors responses of public safety personnel and activities of other dispatchers to track progress, maintain communications, and ensure personnel safety.
• Accesses and maintains suspect and/or incident information by running database queries, updating databases, completing reports/logs, and filing documentation.
• Monitors the functions of the detention center and ensures inmate safety and well-being.
• Trains new employees, interns, or temporary employees how to perform the job to ensure employees are able to appropriately handle emergency calls and provide citizen and emergency personnel with necessary information.
• Performs miscellaneous duties such as attending meetings, handling incoming and outgoing monies for reports, monitoring the weather, and updating information.
• Engages in activities designed to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices, rules, laws, policies, and/or guidelines.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience in a customer service-oriented position (e.g., interacting with people, providing information and/or a service).
• No felony convictions or misdemeanors involving violent offenses or issues of moral turpitude.
• Willing to submit to a general and criminal background check.
• Willing to work an 8- or 12-hour shift on any shift or day (e.g., nights, weekends, holidays) and overtime as needed.

Supplemental Information

Preferred qualifications are experiences, education, and/or other job-related qualifications considered to be highly desirable by Merit System agencies. The preferred qualifications may be used by the hiring agency to identify applicants to invite to participate in subsequent selection processes.

• Experience as a public safety dispatcher.
• Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification.
• Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) certification.
• Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD) certification.
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.

Benefits

Employees at Bessemer Police Department are offered:

• Health, Dental, and Vision
• Flexibile spending accounts
• Tier 1 Retirement
• City provided life insurance
• Optional short and long term disability
• 13 paid holidays (including birthday)
• 8 hour accrual for both sick & vacation per month for the first 12 years; after 12 years, accrual 6 hours per pay period; after 25 years accrual occurs at 8 hours per pay period.