Communications Dispatcher

Douglas County•Ne, NE

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Incumbents work under the direction of the on-duty supervisor or designee, supporting law enforcement and fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in strict adherence to established policies, procedures, protocols, and regulations. This role involves operating multiple automated systems, maintaining information confidentiality, and establishing effective work relationships. The position requires receiving incoming emergency calls, dispatching appropriate units, retrieving and providing critical information to law enforcement, and prioritizing first responders' safety. It also includes providing pre-arrival emergency medical instructions, coordinating field units, and responding to requests for assistance. Continuous learning and adherence to department policies are essential. The role also involves answering outside agency calls, completing assigned projects, testifying in court, and suggesting process improvements. Safely operating a motor vehicle and maintaining regular attendance are also required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Must be able to type/keyboard 35 net wpm.
Valid driver’s license and own transportation upon hire and maintained throughout employment required.
Completion of a pre-employment criminal record check and conditional offer drug screen, auditory exam, and psychological evaluation required.
Continued employment is conditional upon the successful completion of the following training within the first year of employment: Certification as a Communications Operator, and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) training course.

Nice To Haves

Six (6) months of 911 Operator experience or experience which evidences familiarity with fire/EMS terminology preferred.
Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred.
Equivalent combination of work experience and education may be substituted for requirements on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

Operate multiple automated systems (e.g. Computer-Aided Dispatch [CAD], multi-channel radio, emergency telephone, and local and other jurisdictional databases).
Maintain information confidentiality and security.
Establish and maintain effective work relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, other agencies, and the public.
Comply with Civil Service policies and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, County policies, department policies and laws to create a cooperative, safe, respectful and quality work environment.
Receive incoming emergency calls requesting law enforcement or fire/medical assistance, identifying the type, seriousness, and emergency location and determining incident priority.
Dispatch law enforcement, fire and/or EMS based on emergency type, needed units, and location of the closest and most suitable available units.
Retrieve information (e.g. wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, restraining orders, criminal histories, gang affiliation, parole status) from jurisdictional databases; provide information to law enforcement officers.
Prioritize first responders’ safety.
Provide assistance to coworkers.
Transfer calls to external agencies and relay information.
Issue “All Point Bulletins,” stolen vehicle, and missing person’s information.
Direct callers in Emergency Medical Dispatch efforts, initiate pre-arrival emergency medical treatment, and provide extensive first-aid instructions to callers prior to emergency unit arrival.
Provide updates to emergency personnel on caller’s condition while in route.
Coordinate field units, track status and location of fire/EMS apparatus, maintaining contact, ensuring orderly fire/EMS resource usage, and communicating between fire/EMS units and local hospitals.
Respond to requests for assistance/information from fire/EMS units.
Provide responding field personnel ongoing updates.
Refer non-emergency calls to other agencies/companies.
Use multi-channel radio system to open EMS facility doors or unlock station medical boxes.
Activate community sirens in case of weather emergency.
Alert supervisor when fire/EMS units fail to clear or respond.
Perform duties of a 911 Operator.
Maintain knowledge and skill set through continuing education (e.g. on-the-job, classroom, webinar, seminar, workshop training).
Maintain knowledge of and adhere to department policies, procedures, protocols, work practices and government regulations.
Answer outside agency calls for Douglas County Sheriff and answer non-emergency calls (e.g. MUD, sprinkler systems, road conditions) or refer to appropriate agency.
Complete assigned projects.
Testify at court hearings.
Provide constructive process and procedure improvement suggestions.
Safely operate a motor vehicle when traveling on County business.
Report to work with regular, consistent attendance.
Perform other duties as assigned and directed.