Communications Officer (Dispatcher) - Office of Emergency Management

Davidson County-Metro Nashville (TN)•Nashville, TN

45d

About The Position

The OEM Communications Officer (Dispatcher) is responsible for receiving emergency and non- emergency calls, gathering information, dispatching, monitoring, and making proper notification in a 24-hour dispatch center and reporting incidents to appropriate authorities and/or agencies. This position will perform a variety of clerical, administrative, and customer service-oriented duties. Duties that may require use of limited independent judgment and skill in processing, communicating, creating and/or maintaining various records, files, and information. Candidate selected must display a courteous and professional demeanor with clear communication relayed to the staff, general public, and agency contacts at all times. This position will require employees work overnight, afternoon and varying shifts, as well as holidays, weekends and is subject to call back due as needed to cover shortages or during emergencies. This position is on call 24 hours and is required to respond for regular scheduled hours and as needed for re-call during emergency situations, or coverage, even during time of weather emergencies and/ or inclement weather conditions. Applicants considered for this position will undergo a background check and drug screen.

Requirements

High School and two (2) years experience working in a customer service-related field or call center.
Valid Driver License

Nice To Haves

Experience or knowledge of the 800 MHz Radio system
Experience working in a customer service-related field or call center
Experience with multi-line telephone system
Experience with computer software programs, including Microsoft Office
Experience or interest in weather and radar knowledge
Knowledge of the city layout; i.e main throughways in the city, locals of the larger buildings, local landmarks, the areas of the city, etc.
Ability to use independent judgment and discretion to analyze and resolve problems
Ability to compile and maintain records of incidents
Ability to make difficult decisions in a stressful environment
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

Responsibilities

Monitors developing situations they may need increased response to the scene of an emergency and makes proper notification of emergency and non-emergency situations to appropriate authorities.
Provides 24-hour support for entire staff, multiple agencies, and to the OEM operations area, to include answering phones, taking messages, dispatching incidents via radio and documenting all notifications in the Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD).
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with county, local, state and federal agencies, as well as emergency response partners that may be needed for emergency or non-emergency responses.
Ensures standard operating procedures are followed to ensure emergency after hour agencies and staff are contacted on numerous emergency incidents.
Reports 24-hour maintenance concerns and monitors automatic activations of the Early Outdoor Warning System (Tornado Sirens) for Davidson County when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for Metro.
May compile and process reports, documents, and forms.
Maintains and updates all Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) incidents sent via computer from the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC), notifications from staff, other metro agencies or via public.
Answers, transfers, and maintains a multi-line telephone system.
Monitors multiple radio frequencies and channels for multiple agencies on the 800 MHz radio system and will have to prioritize and answer 24 hours, relay and/ or obtain important information from on scene and document information.
Assembles and prepares essential data needed to coordinate field responses with OEM field personnel and Emergency Support Unit members for assessments and special operations.
Monitors multiple weather radar systems, XM Satellite radar, NOAA.Gov radar and hazardous weather outlooks, and the Weather Channel at all times.
Monitors local and world news for homeland security issues and Natural Disasters.
Sends out emergency notifications utilizing the Metro Emergency Alert Notification System (MEANS) for public emergency alerts, and daily in the Everbridge paging notification system for multiple response groups including our Emergency Service Coordinators groups, Weather Alert Groups, Aircraft Alerts Groups, Hospital Groups, etc.
Responds in a timely manner (24 hr. on call) to the Metro Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or the 24-hour OEM dispatch center upon activation or as requested by the supervisor during emergency situations.
Acts in the role for the local 24-hour watch point for Davidson County for all city emergency notifications and reports them to appropriate agencies, staff, and city officials.
Assigned other customer service, clerical, or dispatch duties as assigned by supervisor.
Will be required to work as scheduled or as assigned on holidays, weekends, overnight, afternoons, varying shifts, and subject to recall for overtime during emergency and non-emergency incidents, including but not limited to major emergencies, disasters, training exercises and special events.