Emergency Communications Officer Trainee (911 Dispatcher)

County of Elmore•Mountain Home, ID

About The Position

Serves as a centralized communications agent answering 911 and other emergency calls and arranging service from Police, Fire, EMS, and other emergency response personnel. The role receives emergency calls, relays information and instructions to county-wide emergency personnel, and transmits messages and information between law enforcement and other local agencies. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Emergency Communications Officer (ECO) Supervisor or a designated Lead ECO, with considerable leeway to exercise independent judgment and initiative. The position is based in a central Communications/911 Dispatch Center and requires constant attention to several communications sources at once. The employee responds to callers in varied emergency situations, gathers and accurately relays crucial information, determines which agency should be dispatched, operates communications and computer systems, and coordinates with local, state, and federal safety personnel. The position is full time, at least 40 hours per week; hours and schedules vary, and nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime may be required or available. Applicants must submit all required Sheriff's Office Application Information/Signature Pages, notarized, to either the Elmore County Sheriff's Office or the Elmore County Human Resources Office. The position remains open until filled.

Requirements

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED.
Some related experience in emergency communications operations, or an equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Ability to pass a background check, polygraph, psychological evaluation, and drug testing.
Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Successfully complete Idaho POST Emergency Communications Officer certification before completing 18 months of employment.
Knowledge of computer information retrieval for communications operations, NCIC computer use, 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 quickly communicate crucial information clearly, concisely, and understandably.
Ability to solicit needed information from people involved in emergency situations.
Ability to manage multiple tasks 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 learn geographical information quickly and communicate it to personnel and the public.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing using technical and non-technical language.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written policies, procedures, and instructions.
Ability to operate, or quickly learn to operate, a personal computer using standard or customized software appropriate to assigned tasks.
Ability to perform varied duties accurately and quickly under time-sensitive pressure.
Sufficient speech clarity and hearing, or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, to communicate effectively during time-constrained emergencies.
Sufficient color vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, to operate and monitor a computerized communication system.
Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, to operate a keyboard, several phone lines, and other communications equipment.
Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, to operate in the communications center environment.

Nice To Haves

Additional training in safety communications operations is preferred.

Responsibilities

Answer 911 and other emergency calls and arrange for service from Police, Fire, EMS, and other emergency response personnel.
Determine the appropriate agency to dispatch and relay relevant information to emergency personnel while communicating with callers.
Gather and accurately communicate crucial information from people involved in emergency situations, including emotional, injured, or victimized persons.
Use emergency and non-emergency telephone lines, a National Crime Information Computer, a Computer Assisted Dispatch console, and a comprehensive mapping system.
Enter information and other law-enforcement-related material into computer systems.
Relay alarm locations as soon as they are received.
Request and transmit information from other departments and outside agencies, and contact related local, state, and federal safety personnel during emergencies.
Run computer checks on driver’s licenses, license plates, firearms, wanted persons, and other requested information.
Search with partial data to identify persons and vehicle registrations to expedite emergency services.
Keep the immediate supervisor or designated authority informed about work progress, potential problems, and suggested improvements.
Respond to calls courteously and promptly, and coordinate regularly to support effective and efficient interdepartmental operations.
Provide information and demonstrations to new employees performing similar work.
Attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and review relevant materials to remain current in assigned work areas.
During exigent circumstances, assist the ECO on duty until other resources arrive to relieve the Call Taker and assist the primary ECO.
Perform other related duties as assigned.