Police Telecommunicator - Night Shift

The City of Yakima needs Telecommunicator's to answer 9-1-1 calls, dispatch law enforcement and fire resources, and provide emergency medical instructions over the phone.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION DOCUMENT REQUIRED

Verification of a 5-minute typing test documenting 30 WPM net typing speed without error must be attached to your application. Verification must include your name, date the test was taken, net words per minute, and length of test. There are free keyboarding/typing skill tests available on-line. The following site allows you to take the test, enter your name, then print the certificate with your test results:

APPLICATIONS WITHOUT TYPING VERIFICATION ATTACHED WILL NOT BE REVIEWED

Currently employed as a Telecommunicator I with Yakima Public Safety Communications Center (SunComm).

High school diploma or GED.

Six (6) months’ work experience providing direct customer service (e.g. bank teller, waiter) or a public safety communications environment.

Must have computer and telephone experience.

Associate or Bachelor of Arts degree may substitute for 6 months customer service experience requirement. Experience in a public safety communications or dispatch facility is preferred.

18 months successful employment as a telecommunicator/dispatcher at SunComm or another high-volume police, fire or emergency medical dispatch facility with enhanced 911 and computer-aided dispatch.

All candidates must successfully pass pre-suitability testing, comprehensive background check (assessing applicant's aptitude, character, judgment, credit, driving record and criminal history), drug screening, hearing exam, polygraph and psychological evaluation.

This position requires individuals to work 12 HOUR SHIFTS with a rotating schedule of 2 months on days and 2 months on nights. Weekends and holidays are required as scheduled.

LICENSE, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Obtain and maintain Washington State Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification, ACCESS (Retrieve and Delete Criminal Information) training, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) training, and First Aid/CPR/AED certification within one (1) year of employment.

Under general supervision receives emergency and non-emergency requests for fire, emergency medical and law enforcement assistance via multiple communications systems. Evaluates the information provided to determine the appropriate jurisdiction, equipment and personnel to be dispatched. Operates a variety of electronic equipment to successfully dispatch the appropriate emergency response. Receives, transmits and records requests for emergency and non-emergency responses via Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) telephone, text messages and TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf), non-emergency telephone, radio, alarm and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems. Uses maps, addresses and other pertinent information to dispatch the appropriate jurisdiction, equipment and personnel.

Receives incoming emergency and non-emergency E9-1-1 calls; determines the location, nature of the situation and/or medical condition of persons involved; Receives, screens and answers a variety of inquiries by telephone or text and provides information on the purpose and functions of emergency services. Provides information and/or emergency medical dispatch (EMD) instruction under stressful conditions, calmly, clearly and distinctly, until situation is resolved and/or emergency assistance has arrived.

Accurately and comprehensively enters and retrieves information into computer aided dispatch (CAD) system or other data storage and record keeping system.

Assists in testing radio frequencies, periodically makes routine announcements and relays information via radio and/or paging systems.

Monitors and maintains the position and status of the units in the field. Directs the movement of units to other response areas, fire stations and/or jurisdictions so that adequate coverage is provided to all areas during day-to-day and major emergency operations.

May maintain the Master Street Address Guide (MSAG) and related data; Operates a variety of equipment including but not limited to: E9-1-1 telephone system, radio console, CAD system, computer terminals, TDD, alarm systems, recording devices, security devices and other related equipment.

Monitors alarm receiving equipment and processes the information received, taking the appropriate actions; dispatch of emergency units or notifying responsible parties of malfunction or equipment out of service. Informs supervisors of situations that require their attention and notifies the appropriate personnel for repair and testing of the communication center equipment.

maintains operational and confidential department records and files; assists the operation by performing routine administrative details; relays information using appropriate communications systems.

Operates E9-1-1 telephone system, CAD system, TDD, Fax machine, computer terminal, copy machine, printers, recorders and other equipment as required. May update and clear data regarding warrants, court orders, vehicles and stolen articles. Shall be required to operate the ACCESS computer interface with requests for warrants, license checks, etc.

Receives National Warning System information and disseminates appropriate tests and warnings of County, State and National emergencies to various other agencies according to State and Federal regulations.

Supports EMD quality assurance and control requirement tasks.

Under direction of a supervisor or SunComm management may process requests for confidential information in accordance with state and federal disclosure laws; makes recording of incidents from the Center's recording equipment in support of public disclosure requests, incident follow-up investigations or court ordered requirements. May provide information regarding emergency call history by address and/or phone number to law enforcement or other entitled agencies.

Maintains awareness of and complies with Division, Departmental and City policies, procedures and directives.

Assists in maintaining the cleanliness of the communications center and updates the Center's reference materials.

May be required to appear in court when subpoenaed.

Position requires rotating shift work including day, swing or night and work all days of the week including weekends and holidays; and overtime as needed.

Mentors and provides guidance, training or assistance to new employees as needed.

Contributes to the effectiveness of SunComm and the City by demonstrating an attitude that encourages cooperation, coordination of efforts, effective time management, efficient use of resources, and exceptional customer service. Provides continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively to provide quality service. Develops innovative programs and projects and proactively introduces change to address emerging issues and opportunities.

Knowledge of emergency services operations and emergency service providers in Yakima County. Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Have a working knowledge of the type and uses of the emergency equipment dispatched by the Center.

Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures and techniques. time management, planning and organizational practices, municipal records retention procedures, processes and techniques. Knowledge of and adherence to a high standard of personal and professional ethics.

Knowledge of techniques and strategies for dissemination of complex and/or technical written and verbal information to a wide range of individuals, including but not limited to coworkers, emergency personnel, government officials, and members of the public.

Strong working knowledge of computer operations, databases and industry applications including but not limited to CAD system; Microsoft Office Suite, and office equipment. Ability to use a variety of computer software systems/applications proficiently.

control telephone conversations to obtain accurate information; and, learn and apply information, laws, codes, guidelines, directives, policies and procedures related to the job.

Must be able to efficiently and effectively enter information into a CAD systems and computer programs with speed and accuracy, to speak English clearly at sustained rapid rates in order to transmit information and locations to responding units during emergency situations. Ability to operate standard office equipment including but not limited to computer with touch keyboarding, fax machine, copy machine, telephone etc. Must be able to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively, with employees and members of the public, representing diverse educational levels and backgrounds, and with individuals at all levels of government and/or public safety, utilizing well- developed communication skills, both written and oral, with appropriate use of business English, and plain English, including, but not limited: to correct grammar, vocabulary, letter composition, editing, spelling, and punctuation. Ability to establish, facilitate, and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, the public, community organizations, public safety entities and government agencies; to consistently and continually demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and respect to individuals, groups and organizations representing a wide diversity of ethnicities, cultures, opinions, and beliefs.

Ability to effectively deal with own and others' daily stress situations, and to respond promptly, calmly and effectively to emergency situations.

Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team and adhere to the department’s values including, but not limited to: customer focused, teamwork, positive communication, and accountability in a punctual, regular and reliable manner.

Ability to maintain annual training requirements of the position, including but not limited to City mandatory training requirements.

Must be able to work rotating shifts including day, swing or night and work all days of the week including weekends and holidays; and overtime as needed.

Work is performed in an office environment while sitting at a desk or computer terminal for extended periods of time or while standing for a period of time. Occasionally needed to move inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Constant use of both hands with repetitive motions in reaching, handling, grasping, keyboarding, and other fine skills manipulation, while performing duties and operating computers. Must have the ability to hear, with or without a hearing aids, and speak well enough to converse on the telephone. have the ability to see, with or without corrective lenses well enough to read standard text and text displayed on a video display terminal. Must be able to distinguish color and maintain long-term and short-term memory. May require constant focus on a computer screen for 2 or more hours at a time. Must have the tolerance and temperment to work effectively under pressure and in emergency situations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Will have frequent contact with angry, irate, panicked, emotionally disturbed and/or upset customers. May be subjected to offensive or abusive language from public. Subject to mental and physical stress due to the nature and urgency of the emergency services provided. Shift work includes evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed.