Dispatcher / Records Communication Aide II

City of Whitewater•Whitewater, WI

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision of the Communications Coordinator, Shift Lieutenant, and the Support Services Manager, the Dispatcher/Records Communication Aide II handles daily operations in the Communications Center and is responsible for receiving and disseminating information on related police activities. This individual should possess excellent communication skills, organizational abilities, multi-tasking capabilities, a high level of dedication, confidentiality, conscientiousness, and a thorough knowledge of policies and procedures.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent is required
Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives.
Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, copy, record and transcribe data and information.
Ability to classify, compute, tabulate, and categorize data.
Ability to advise and interpret how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such code manuals, City ordinances, directories, State statutes, procedures, guidelines and non-routine correspondence.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing with City personnel, Department personnel and City residents.
Good human relations skills.
Ability to speak clearly and concisely.
Ability to hear and understand radio messages and signals.
Ability to retain a wide range of information and recall details from numerous informational resources.
Ability to understand and effectively carry out oral and written instructions.
Ability to make mathematical calculations and to interpret basic descriptive statistical reports.
Ability to perform cashier duties accurately.
Ability to exercise independent judgment in emergency and non-emergency situations in accordance with departmental rules and regulations.
Ability to cope with emergency situations calmly but effectively and to react quickly to secure accurate and precise information on the location, extent and nature of the emergency aid requests
Ability to quickly make assessments of emergency and non-emergency situations, determine appropriate responses and act assertively; cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully.
Ability to work well under pressure and handle stressful situations, to organize work and set priorities, managing time and resources to meet deadlines and changing demands, independently perform duties with a minimum of supervision.
Phone system; desktop computer; copy machine; fax machine; base radio; 911 system, telecommunications device for the deaf; 10-key calculator.
Proficiency in typing, computers and electronic data processing.
Ability to operate telecommunications equipment and standard office equipment.
Operate and use all mechanical equipment used to support the dispatch function.
Working knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment; computer operation and use of application programs, Microsoft Office and the Internet.
Skill in First Aid and CPR.
Knowledge of radio broadcast procedures and rules.
Ability to read maps and determine locations of incidents.
Speak clearly and concisely.
Ability to think and act promptly in emergency situations.
Ability to perform multiple and essential job functions simultaneously.
Ability to work cooperatively with fellow employees, other law enforcement agencies, other units of City government, and the general public and exercise good judgment while under extreme stress in emergency situations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.
Sitting for extended periods of time; wearing headsets; read and interpret City/County street maps; repetitive hand and body movements; hearing and speaking sufficiently to accurately exchange and relay information, at times under extreme stress.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and the ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.
Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and or provide simple but continuous adjustment on equipment, machinery and tools such as computer and other office machines, and or materials used in performing essential functions.
Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing slightly skilled movements such as typing and to operate various pieces of office equipment.
Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities and differences between characteristics of colors, shapes and textures associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.
The employee must exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, occasionally involving lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, crouching, crawling, kneeling, stooping and or moving up to 20 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Associates degree or higher preferred
Knowledge of law enforcement, fire and ambulance terminology preferred

Responsibilities

Receive incoming calls from the public requesting emergency and non-emergency assistance and city services; achieve and maintain control of call and obtain information necessary to determine priority of response; dispatch appropriate units or provide appropriate information as required, while simultaneously maintaining radio contact with and the status of field unit.
Identify the nature of report and proper agencies to respond (police, fire, rescue).
Prioritize calls for service and dispatches appropriate unit(s) to respond based upon incident criteria.
Maintain an accurate record of all complaints and resource units.
Monitor unit activity for response and well- being.
Operate radios in accordance with Federal Communication Commission rules and regulations.
Operate the TIME system in accordance with State and Federal guidelines to access DOT, CIB, and NCIC databases.
Assist general public as necessary at lobby window.
Serve as an information resource to the public.
Relay requests for information through data and other sources.
Distribute various city and state forms to the general public (e.g. DOT, DNR, accident report forms).
Maintain station security by video monitors and speakers.
Operate radio and telephone recording play-back system.
Compile and distribute various daily and monthly reports.
Monitor building rescue assistance and fire alarms.
Maintain printers (E911, TIME, and departmental) in Communications Center.
Operate a variety of equipment as necessary to perform vehicle registration, criminal, warrant and driver’s license checks and provide officers with other information as requested.
Enter wanted persons, stolen vehicles and other information onto law enforcement information networks.
Send, receive and disperse information by computer, teletype, telephone or other methods.
Prepare, receive and process a variety of law enforcement records and reports; release requested records in conformance with department policies and procedures.
Perform typing and other general clerical functions as required.
Interpret various city ordinances and state statutes for the general public.
Attend dispatch meetings.
Participate in job related training sessions and seminars as assigned.
Refer media inquiries to the Deputy Chief until such time that a prepared press release is available to the communications center.
Notify the Communications Coordinator and Support Services Manager in writing of any needed repairs in the Communications Center.
Observe field operations of the department via the ride-a-long program.
Thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, rules and regulations, Mission and Values, which govern the operation of the Communications Center.