Emergency Communications Specialist

Gunnison, City of•Police Station, CO

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The Gunnison/Hinsdale Combined Emergency Telephone Service Authority is seeking a dedicated and service oriented Emergency Communications Specialist to join the team that serves as the critical link between the public and emergency responders. This rewarding position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day by answering emergency and non-emergency calls, coordinating police, fire, and EMS responses, and providing calm, professional assistance during some of the community’s most challenging moments. If you thrive in a fast paced environment and are motivated by helping others, this role offers a unique opportunity to serve the Gunnison and Hinsdale communities. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator who can remain composed under pressure, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and make sound decisions in rapidly changing situations. Whether assisting a caller through a crisis, dispatching emergency resources, or supporting first responders in the field, Emergency Communications Specialists play a vital role in protecting lives and property throughout the region. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career in public safety and are committed to exceptional service, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

Graduation from high school or general equivalency development (G.E.D.)
Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
Possession of, or ability to obtain Emergency Medical Dispatch certification.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, Colorado Crime Information Center Computer Operator certification.
Must know or be able to learn: Operations, services and activities of a emergency communications center.
Must know or be able to learn: Operational characteristics of modern public safety telecommunications equipment including computer aided dispatch systems, phone, video, radio, text, mapping and other systems.
Must know or be able to learn: Techniques of questioning for both emergency and non-emergency calls.
Must know or be able to learn: Dispatching techniques with use of radio system for communicating and receiving information.
Must know or be able to learn: Customer service principles and problem resolution techniques.
Must know or be able to learn: Principles and practices of record keeping and documentation.
Must know or be able to learn: Geographic features and locations within the area served.
Must know or be able to learn: Modern office technology and equipment, including computers and related software applications.
Must know or be able to learn: Applicable tools and equipment operations.
Must know or be able to learn: Applicable Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations.
Ability to work a rotating schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays to ensure 24/7 coverage.
Ability to remain subject to callback and holdover to maintain minimum staffing 24/7.
Ability to respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
Ability to effectively communicate and elicit information from upset and irate callers.
Ability to establish priority of emergency situations.
Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
Ability to maintain composure, alertness and concentration while working under mental and physical stress for extended periods of time.
Ability to work in an environment that requires rapid multi-processing.
Ability to adapt instantaneously to changes in call events.
Ability to operate a variety of telecommunications receiving and transmitting equipment.
Ability to read and interpret maps and other navigational resources.
Ability to establish and maintain accurate records, logs, and files.
Ability to work under pressure, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
Ability to interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to operate and use modern technology including computers and various software applications.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Must pass a background investigation that meets all local, state, and federal requirements as well as be without felony convictions.
Ability to listen to, read, understand and communicate the English language so that others are able to understand. This must be done both orally and in writing, at the level appropriate for the position held.

Nice To Haves

Some emergency communications or dispatch experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

Receive and prioritize emergency and non-emergency calls and digital requests for help from the public requesting police, fire, ambulance and other emergency services; gather, analyze, and report critical information during life- or-death situations such as crimes in progress, medical emergencies, and fire/rescue incidents.
Administer care by providing pre-arrival medical instruction or directing callers through procedures such as CPR, childbirth, or controlling of blood loss while emergency medical services are enroute.
Operate a variety of public safety communications equipment including 911 emergency telephone equipment, radio communication systems, text-to-911 equipment, advanced location systems, computer aided dispatch systems, instant recall recorder and paging and intercom systems.
Coordinate and relay information and assistance requests involving law enforcement, EMS, and fire-fighting agencies; coordinate and assign resources as necessary in emergency and non-emergency situations; maintain contact with all units monitoring status and location of police, fire and emergency medical service units.
Enter service requests into computer-aided dispatch system via keyboards to provide needed data to other dispatchers and responding units/agencies.
Provide assistance, information, and directions to non-emergency callers; refer and/or transfer calls to outside agencies as appropriate.
Effectively communicate, orally and in writing, with members of the public as well as internal team members. Teamwork is a vital component of success in this job.
Take protective actions for first responders by providing life-safety information during responses.
Read/interpret maps for the public, field personnel, and other agencies in order to assist in locating certain geographical areas; interpret telephone call locations from maps by applying knowledge of local geography in order to provide appropriate and timely assistance.
Perform various computer checks, input and retrieval of information to assist Emergency Communications Center (ECC) personnel, field responders and others.
Enter records of activity into the computer; maintain a variety of logs relating to public safety telecommunications activities; compile statistics on calls received.
Perform other duties of a similar nature or level or as assigned by supervisory staff.