EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER TRAINEE (911 DISPATCHER)

County of Elmore•Mountain Home, ID

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Serves as a centralized communications agent answering 911, and other emergency calls, to arrange for service from Police, Fire, EMS, and other emergency response personnel; performs related work as required. The principal function of an employee in this class is to receive emergency calls and relay information and instructions for county-wide police, fire, medical and other emergency personnel, and to receive and transmit messages and information between law enforcement and other local agencies. The work is performed under the direct supervision of the Emergency Communications Officer (ECO) Supervisor or designated Lead ECO, but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The principal duties of this class are performed in a central Communications/911 Dispatch Center requiring constant attention to several communications sources at any given time.

Requirements

Knowledge of computer information retrieval of communication operations, NCIC computer, and computer information entry procedures
Knowledge of Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Service activities, purposes and procedures
Ability to advise and direct emergency personnel and to quickly disseminate crucial information in a clear, concise and understandable manner
Ability to solicit needed information from persons involved in all types of emergency situations
Ability to handle multiple tasks at any given time in a fast-paced environment, and prioritize activities according to emergency needs
Ability to perform computer entry duties with speed, efficiency, and accuracy
Ability to quickly learn geographical information and be able to communicate this information to needed personnel and members of the public
Ability to communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language
Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions
Ability to operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks
Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
Graduation from high school or possession of a GED, preferably supplemented by additional training in safety communications operations; and
Some related experience in emergency communications operations; or
Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work
Ability to pass background check, polygraph, psychological evaluation, and drug testing
Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
Must be able to successfully complete Idaho POST Emergency Communications Officer certification before completion of 18 months of employment
Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively in emergency situations with an attention to time constraints
Sufficient color vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate and monitor a computerized communication system
Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a keyboard, several phone lines and other communications equipment
Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate in the communications center environment

Responsibilities

Responds to emergency calls for service requiring the dispatching of personnel using emergency and non-emergency telephone lines
Performs computerized entry of information, and other law enforcement related material
Responds to varied emergency situations dealing with emotional, injured, and/or victimized persons, and is responsible for ascertaining and collecting crucial information needed in the given situation, and relaying it correctly without delay
Responds to all incoming emergency calls, places outgoing calls as necessary, operates a National Crime Information Computer, operates a Computer Assisted Dispatch console, monitors comprehensive mapping system, while receiving information from callers
Answers all 911 and other emergency calls for emergency personnel, determines appropriate agency which will need to be dispatched, relays all relevant information and corresponds with the caller through the emergency system
Relays locations of alarms as soon as they are received
Requests and transmits information from other departments or outside agencies as needed
Contacts related safety personnel in emergencies, including State and Federal personnel
Runs computer checks on driver’s license, license plates, firearms, wanted persons, etc., as required
Keeps immediate supervisor/designated authority fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems
Responds to calls in a courteous and timely manner
Communicates and coordinates regularly to maximize effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities
Performs searches with partial data to identify persons and vehicle registration to expedite emergency services
Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions
Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions, and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become, and remain, current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas
During exigent circumstances, will assist Emergency Communications Officer on duty until other resources arrive to relieve Call Taker and assist primary ECO
Performs other related duties as assigned