Of qualified candidates who pass written examinations and structured interview process, an eligibility list will be established for use when job openings occur in the Communication Center for 911 Dispatcher positions.
Upon hire, starting wage will be dependent upon job-related education and experience. Salary will progress according to the Douglas County compensation plan.
Under supervision, to receive emergency and routine calls and dispatch police, fire and other public safety and service personnel and equipment in a coordinated manner using a computer assisted information and telecommunications system; and to do other work as required.
Entry-level employees in this class receive classroom and on-the-job training and learn to operate a variety of telecommunications and other equipment to receive and transfer calls, monitor traffic and units, and transmit and receive information necessary to dispatch public safety and public service personnel and equipment, and to provide emergency instructions within established guidelines and specified protocols after becoming certified.
The Communication Dispatcher operates a variety of telecommunications and other equipment to receive and transfer calls, monitor traffic of field units, and transmit and receive information necessary to dispatch public safety and public service personnel and equipment. Within departmental guidelines and established protocols, incumbents provide medical emergency instructions after becoming certified. The work involves handling emergency situations with considerable independent judgment, where an error may have extreme consequences, and where the incumbent must possess the ability to function accurately and efficiently under stress. Incumbents must learn and use operating procedures, telecommunications equipment and protocols, and become thoroughly familiar with street locations, jurisdictional boundaries and City of Superior and Douglas County geography. Incumbents will be provided training in and must be certified as emergency medical dispatchers within the first six months of employment. Incumbents work a shift schedule involving night, weekend and holiday work in a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation.
Essential Duties:
Answers emergency telephone lines; receives calls for assistance; complaints and inquiries from the public. Questions, assesses and prioritizes calls for assistance. Requests information to determine nature of call, location of the problem, potential hazards, type of action and equipment required and proper jurisdiction. Gives out information, transfers or refers calls as appropriate. Within departmental guidelines and using established protocols and after certification, questions callers concerning reported medical emergencies, and provides specified instructions prior to arrival of public safety personnel. Calls off-duty personnel following prescribed procedures. Contacts agencies concerned with major emergency operations, such as Emergency Management, Coast guard, and the F.B.I. under prescribed conditions. Monitors weather reporting systems and internal fire alarms. Relays messages for local government agencies, information from or to other police, sheriff or fire authorities received by telephone, teletype, or by monitoring other radio stations. Responds to alerts received on the National Warning System and implements established procedures. Participates in operational tests of these systems and tests two-way radios and reports any problems to supervisor. Operates computer terminals to assist in identifying addresses, cross streets and jurisdiction, status of persons or vehicles for field personnel, and type of equipment to dispatch. Operates a variety of telecommunications equipment, including transceivers, radio consoles, telephones, teletype, and computer systems. Refers to a wide variety of specialized manuals and formats to access data banks and obtain desired information. Reads road and street atlas, wall maps, business and residential directories and manuals to pinpoint emergency areas and give precise directions to public safety personnel. Maintains detailed CAD records of all messages received and transmitted. Participates in a variety of classroom and other training, including CPR, First Aid, emergency medical dispatching, operating procedures, public safety services and operations. May assist in the training of new dispatchers or provide direct one-on-one training and supervision of a trainee dispatcher. Performs related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
Mandatory Entry-level Written Examination: Administered at the Government Center located at 1316 N 14th Street in Superior, WI. Ability to take and pass written examination is required for candidates to move forward in hiring process. Exam dates: Tuesday, September 22, 2015 / Wednesday, September 23, 2015. Notification of time(s) will be sent to qualifying applicants to self-schedule.
Training and experience : Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledges and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledges and abilities would be: High School Diploma or GED certification required. One year of full-time experience dispatching two or more types of public safety agencies (e.g., police and fire). OR Eighteen months of full-time experience dispatching one type of public safety agency (e.g., police or fire) preferred, but not required.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Written Examination Requirement: Ability to pass mandatory entry level written examination covering reading comprehension, ability to learn and apply information, reasoning ability, judgment and multi-tasking. (No study materials necessary or available). Certification Requirement : Must possess emergency medical dispatcher within one year of hire and time system certification within 6 months of hire and maintain certifications for continuation of employment. Once certified employees must obtain 24 hours training every two years to retain certification.
Driver License Requirement : Must possess valid driver’s license or be able to provide suitable transportation as approved by the department head.
Residency Requirement : Forty-five minute commute distance from the Government Center within six months of hire date.
Background Investigation Requirement : Must pass a background investigation related to access to criminal records and performing the duties of a communication dispatcher prior to hire.
Post Job Offer Medical Examination Requirement : Must pass medical examination for the occupational group prior to hire.
Supplemental Information:
KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED: Working Knowledge of: English grammar, vocabulary and spelling. Common procedures and operations of a public safety dispatching center. The common communication and telecommunication equipment used to dispatch public safety personnel and equipment . Regulations governing public safety radio communications. Field operations of at least one type of public safety agency, such as a sheriff’s department, fire department or police department. The locations of roads and streets, major buildings and geography of the City of Superior and Douglas County.
SKILLS REQUIRED: Ability to: React quickly, efficiently and calmly in an emergency situation and adopt an effective course of action. Take accurate messages and relay exactly as received. Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with the public, co-workers and others contacted in the course of work. Learn and operate a variety of telecommunications equipment, including transceivers, radio consoles, computer systems, telephones and teletype. Learn and provide emergency medical instructions within established departments. Departmental guidelines and specified protocols. Hear and comprehend normal radio and telephone communications. Read maps to locate areas of emergency. Understand and follow oral and written directions. Speak clearly and distinctly and use correct English. Quickly learn applicable rules, regulations and procedures. Maintain accurate and legible records. Remain seated for long periods of time. Obtain and maintain certification requirements of a public safety dispatcher as established by the Communication Center.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES / REQUIREMENTS:
Requires the ability to operate a variety of office equipment such as computer terminal, typewriter, telephone, fax machine, calculator/adding machine, computer printer, satellite equipment, tape recorder and photocopier. Requires the ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements requiring moderate skill, such as typing. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of objects weighting five to ten pounds. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between characteristics of shapes and sounds associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks. Requires the ability to hear voices on the telephone with background noise.
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