Dispatcher - Temporary Part-Time

City of Fairhope•Police, AL

12d

About The Position

This temporary, part-time Dispatcher position receives and prioritizes E-911 and non-emergency calls from the public, processes information in a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, and dispatches appropriate emergency services within the Police Department. Under the supervision of the Dispatch Supervisor, the employee monitors public-safety units, retrieves and enters information for emergency response personnel, assists the public, routes non-police complaints to appropriate personnel, and provides officers with requested information, including license and criminal-history checks. The work requires independent judgment and initiative when interpreting instructions and responding to emergencies, and is performed under established rules and instructions from superior officers. Completed work is reviewed. The position is safety-sensitive and subject to a pre-employment background check and random drug screens. Benefits are not offered. The employee monitors emergency and non-emergency telephone lines, radio frequencies, alarms, CCTV, and other communications systems; handles dispatch communications for police, fire, rescue, ambulance, and other service departments; keeps continuous contact with field units and jail personnel; maintains required records and logs; and supports emergency and severe-weather communications. The role also involves maintaining communications equipment and the radio room, attending job-related training, and controlling access to the radio room and electronically secured doors. Work is sedentary in an adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated setting, with ordinary workplace risks and occasional walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, or driving.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Dispatch experience, with 2–4 combined years of dispatch experience.
At least two years of work experience in customer service, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Current Notary Public designation.
Current NCIC and Alabama Communications and Operations Portal (AlaCOP) certifications.
Current and valid driver’s license and ability to be insured.
Typing speed of at least 25 words per minute.
Ability to work non-standard hours and travel.
Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and initial drug screen.

Nice To Haves

Experience in two-way communications is preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive and prioritize E-911 and non-emergency calls; gather caller and incident information and enter it into the CAD system.
Dispatch calls and requests for assistance to police patrol units, fire/rescue, ambulances, and other service departments.
Monitor radio frequencies, emergency and non-emergency telephone lines, CCTV, alarms, fire alarms, smoke detectors, and other communications equipment.
Maintain contact with patrol units and City jail personnel, monitor their status and locations, and dispatch additional assistance when needed.
Relay relevant information to officers, including vehicle registration, license, warrant, and other authorized records information.
Notify designated police officials of major crime alerts and other events specified by policy and procedure.
Handle automated and phone-in burglary calls and use TDD equipment for callers who are deaf or have disabilities.
Monitor state and local emergency management and severe-weather communications, disseminate alerts, and provide the public with weather and road information.
Maintain emergency contact lists and logs for wreckers, alarms, driver histories, criminal histories, and NCIC transactions.
Enter stolen vehicle, stolen property, warrant, and missing-person information into the computer and obtain authorized records information in accordance with procedures.
Transmit and receive administrative messages by teletype with other agencies.
Check communications, teletype, and computer equipment; report failures to IT and the supervisor and prepare written failure reports.
Maintain the radio room and equipment, including cleaning before shift changes, and restrict room and electronic-door access to authorized personnel.
Report for assigned duties and instructions, attend job-related classes and training, and maintain uniform and equipment in clean working order.
Perform other job-related duties as required or assigned.