Police Telecommunicator - Night Shift (Full-Time)

Salary: $27.42 - $39.29 Hourly
Location : Police Department - 700 West Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, IL
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Police Department
Community Support Services
The City of DeKalb is accepting applications to fill current openings for Telecommunicator!
The Telecommunicator receives, analyzes, classifies, prioritizes and responds to calls of an emergency and non-emergency nature, including those calls involving life-threatening situations.

The position of Telecommunicator is assigned to the Community Support Services Division of the Police Department and works under the direct supervision of the Communications Coordinator. The position is a full-time position represented under AFSCME and requires the Telecommunicator to work a forty-hour work week. The position will require shift work including evenings, weekends and holidays. This position is classified as an emergency response position and will require residency within fifteen (15) months from the completion of the probationary period. Residency requirements are required based the Telecommunicator residency map found at Appendix "D-1" of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The starting rate is $27.42 per hour. Receives all incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for police and fire departments, in addition to after-hours calls to City Hall.
Receives emergency calls for service from multiple sources including an NG9-1-1 system, text-to-911, video-to-911, video relay services, social media, and alarm reporting integrations.
Operates a multi-channel computerized radio communication console with multiple computer terminals including phone and radio systems to obtain, enter, dispatch, transmit and maintain information and calls for service.
Monitors other local police and fire radio frequencies as well as additional Municipal frequencies.
Accurately enters relevant information and updates notes into police and fire calls for service and in accordance with established procedures operates a computer-aided dispatch system.
Prioritizes and sequences calls promptly in limited time utilizing law enforcement, fire and EMS protocols with limited or no supervision.
Initiates emergency phone tracing using specialized procedures for landline and mobile phones.
Assigns calls to police and fire units for necessary action, determining the appropriate units required for response. Coordinates, when necessary, with patrol and fire supervisors regarding deployment of personnel.
Monitors and/or operates generator and fire alarm panels.
Maintains contact with all units on-duty and on assignment; maintains records of activity for all field calls and units dispatched; assigns and coordinates backup personnel as required and issues status checks for safety on responding units.
Provides pre-arrival police, fire and EMS instructions to callers reporting crimes or medical emergencies in-progress.
Provides supplemental information to officers and field personnel expeditiously, including but not limited to warrants, vehicle responses, driver's license status, and parole, gang, sex offender and other criminal history information.
Utilizes language interpretation services and coordinates with mental health resources for appropriate contacts with callers who have mental health or language barriers to receiving help.
Provides information and assistance to the walk-in public.
Reports equipment malfunctions and dangerous/hazardous conditions to the appropriate authority.
Responds to public and internal inquiries over the telephone and in-person. Conducts research utilizing local, state, federal and national crime databases for required information.
Completes special projects, and other duties as assigned.
Knowledge of principle practices and public safety operations.
Ability to quickly learn and retain public safety and technology training material.
Ability to handle confidential/sensitive matters in a professional manner.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while exercising good judgment and initiative.
Ability to learn, apply and maintain knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures and information pertaining to law enforcement and fire dispatch.
Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with all levels of staff, management, residents and the general public.
Ability to gather data, analyze information and prepare reports as needed.
Ability to work various shifts, holidays, weekends and flexible hours as assigned.
Ability to speak English clearly and accurately, have normal visual acuity, and meet medical hearing standards.
Ability to work shifts as required by the collective bargaining agreement and the ability to work 12-hour shifts when needed, sometimes on short notice.
High School Diploma or equivalent required.

• Illinois State Police Telecommunicator Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse Training within 30 days of employment.
• 40-hour PowerPhone Public Safety Dispatch Course (Emergency Medical Dispatch, Law Enforcement Dispatch, and Fire Service Dispatch) while in training.
• Obtain an Illinois Department of Public Health Emergency Medical Dispatcher license before the completion of training.
• Two years of experience with emergency services communications desired.

Working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook) is strongly desired. Working knowledge of phone, radio Records Management, and Computer Aided Dispatch systems desired.

While working in the office, the person in this position will regularly sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms and talk or hear on the phone and in-person.
This position will require occasional travel to and from various municipal buildings and other offsite locations throughout the State.
This position will require the wearing of a telephone headset and the ability to hear, distinguish and understand voices with background noises present.

EQUIPMENT USED:

General office equipment including personal computer, laptops, printers, scanner, and fax/copy machine.
Communications equipment including radio equipment (consoles, mobile and portable radios), phone system including Next Generation 9-1-1 software, Computer Aided Dispatch program and Records Management software.
This position will require the ability to work shifts outside of normal business hours including evenings, weekends, holidays, and changing shifts.

The selection process includes submission of an application, interview, written exam, observation, and a background check. The psychological exam, physical exam, and drug screen (including cannabis) are completed upon conditional offer.

It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job.
Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Retirement Plans through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund or the Fire/Police Pension Funds
Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Time
Employee Assistance program

What made you decide to apply for the Telecommunicator position with the City of DeKalb?
We strongly encourage all applicants to view the YouTube video listed below prior to submitting an application. This video gives a quick insight as to what this position entails.
Yes, I have watched the video.
No, I have not watched the video.

Are you able to work a variety of shifts that include nights, weekends, holidays and extended shifts?
Do you have experience using a multi-line phone system?
If you have previous dispatch experience, what Computer Aided Dispatch Systems have you worked with? Describe any experience involving heavy phone contact, data entry/form completion, complaint resolution and/or processing orders/inquiries.
I understand this position is classified as an emergency response position. Please see the Telecommunicator Resident Map at Appendix "D-1" in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement for residency boundaries.