COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST I

Santa Rosa County (FL)•Milton, FL

50d

About The Position

Receives, screens and prioritizes calls for emergency and non-emergency services such as emergency medical services, fire departments, emergency management, search and rescue, animal control and dispatches appropriate unit(s). This is a "Mandatory Testing" position that requires Drug Testing. Essential functions are fundamental job duties. They do not include marginal tasks which are also performed but are incidental to the primary functions. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position, nor does every position allocated to the class necessarily perform every duty listed. Personal characteristics required of all employees such as honesty, industry, sobriety and the ability to get along with others, are presumed qualities and may not be listed specifically.

Requirements

Knowledge of the geographical layout of Santa Rosa County including major streets and roads, subdivisions, apartment complexes, schools, hospitals, nursing homes and shopping centers; proper procedures of dispatching; FCC Rules and Regulations for public safety agencies; operations of local fire departments, emergency medical services, emergency management and search and rescue.
Required to operate a personal computer and computer aided dispatch system; operate multi-line telephone and multi-channel radio equipment.
Required to read and comprehend maps; quickly and calmly in emergency situations; work long shifts over extended periods of time during the threat and recovery of an emergency situation; make quick and accurate decisions; wear a headset for extended periods of time; express ideas effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain working relationship with employees and public.
A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.
Must be computer literate.
Requires a minimum typing speed of 35 cwpm.
May be required to pass additional background screening and/or fingerprinting for related functions at Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP's).
Requires a valid driver license at the date of hire and maintain said license while employed in this position.
Requires CPR certification or Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification.
Requires successful completion of TTY/TDD certification within six (6) months of employment.
Requires successful completion of the National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch certification within one (1) year of employment.
Requires successful completion of the Florida 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator certification within one (1) year of employment.
All certifications must be current.
Applicants must have at least the minimum educational documentation and/or certifications (requested within the job description) uploaded with their application to be eligible for consideration.

Nice To Haves

911 dispatch experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Operates multi-line telephone system, enhanced 911 and multi-frequency radio system.
Accurately, quickly and courteously receives and screens emergency and non-emergency telephone calls.
Transfers calls to proper agency.
Accurately and quickly prioritizes calls and dispatches appropriate unit(s), including multi-station alarms.
Accurately and timely utilizes computer aided dispatch system for documenting dispatch information and coordination of incidents and transmission and retrieval of information through local, county, state and federal data networks.
Accurately records information on a variety of forms and logs as dictated by operational policies and procedures.
Activates emergency management and search and rescue personnel as needed.
Monitors weather wire and national warning systems; plots and tracks hurricanes, tropical storms and hazardous weather; broadcasts statements as needed.
Accurately provides pre-arrival instructions to callers utilizing specific guidelines as directed by operational policies and procedures.
Provides secondary services to other public safety agencies as needed.
Operates instant playback and twenty-four-hour recording equipment.
Researches maps, directories and other reference materials for accurate information for use by emergency response personnel.
Coordinates activities for all emergency response agencies; monitors fire fighter location while on scene; maintains EMS county coverage using set posting positions.
Monitors enhanced 911 system for incorrect information and documents such on appropriate forms for corrective action.
Monitors and tests communications equipment and reports problems to appropriate personnel.
Operates telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY); text to 911 and relay services.
Monitors various trouble alarms and takes appropriate action as directed by operational policies and procedures.
Updates lifeguard and water condition information on website and letter boards.
May be required to work in remote communications command post areas.
Interacts with the public in an effective and courteous manner.
Must demonstrate commitment to our mission, vision, values and goals and represent the County in a professional, dignified manner at all times both in actions and appearance.
May have a role in the County's disaster preparation and/or disaster recovery efforts, as designated in the County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan; may be required to work before, during and/or after an emergency.
Must be able to meet minimum attendance standards; required to be on-call and work shifts to include weekends and holidays.
Performs related duties as required.