Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher

Town of Seekonk•Seekonk, MA

17h•$26 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher Job Posting The Town of Seekonk is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher in the Public Safety Communications Department. This is an entry-level position responsible for receiving emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatching police, fire, and EMS personnel, and providing critical communication support to public safety operations. Emergency Telecommunications Dispatchers play a vital role in community safety by ensuring timely and accurate communication between the public and emergency responders. Compensation This position is posted as an entry-level position in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. However, pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement with the Union , applicants who have prior full-time emergency dispatching experience may be eligible for enhanced compensation and benefits once training is completed. Specifically: Candidates with 5 or more years of prior emergency dispatching experience may be placed at a higher step within the dispatcher pay scale , depending on years of experience. Experienced hires will be eligible to receive ten (10) vacation days upon successful completion of the training period. Vacation accrual thereafter will follow the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement. You can view the current collective bargaining agreement here: https://www.seekonk-ma.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/828 POSITION OVERVIEW: The Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher (ETD) is essential in providing public safety communications for fire, police, EMS, and utility services responding to emergency situations to assist citizens in need. The ETD receives, reviews and transmits emergency and law enforcement related communications by operating a multi-band sophisticated radio broadcast system, teleprocessing system, cellular emergency 911 telephone network and a worldwide police telecommunications system under the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission to disseminate information on crimes and emergencies. SUMMARY: The following description is a general summary of responsibilities with some specific duties. It is not a total delineation of all duties nor does it limit the responsibilities to those stipulated. This position functions as a part of the overall public safety team to ensure effective and efficient public safety operations. The Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher monitors radio frequencies, sets priorities among incoming events and dispatches police, fire, or medical personnel to necessary locations using both radios and computers. They keep accurate status of exact location of equipment and personnel by maintaining radio contact. Answer complaints and transmits broadcast orders to coordinate the dispatching of law enforcement, medical and fire emergency personnel. All Emergency Telecommunications Dispatchers also serve as 911 Telecommunicators as needed. The positions requires the individual to think quickly, calmly, and clearly in emergency situations and apply judgement, discretion, and initiative in accomplishing work. The Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher uses initiative in carrying out repetitive assignments independently with specific instruction. The position entails the performance of complex tasks of varying degrees of difficulty.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Ability to pass required background checks and pre-employment screenings
Strong communication, multitasking, and problem-solving skills
Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts
Ability to obtain required certifications during the training period
Must be a high school graduate, Associate degree preferred.
Not less than four (4) years of administrative support experience or one (1) year of public safety dispatch experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Candidate must be able to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge skills and abilities to perform this work.
General knowledge of emergency services and its operations.
Knowledge of Seekonk’s policies, procedures, and bylaws.
Knowledge of office equipment and the operation of computer software applications, particularly word processing, spreadsheet, database, email and internet.
Detailed knowledge of the Town of Seekonk with demonstrated knowledge of Seekonk streets and locations.
Ability to handle difficult interpersonal interactions and complaints with tact and diplomacy.
Manage and accomplish multiple priorities and diverse responsibilities with a high level of accuracy.
Ability to actively listen to callers on the telephone and first responders on the radio.
Ability to learn how to use various 9-1-1 equipment such as telephones, computers, radios, and various software applications.
Must have the ability to type 40 to 60 words per minute, with minimal errors.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills to work in a team environment.
Excellent communication skills, in person, by phone, and electronically.
Execute multiple tasks involving keyboarding, telephones, writing, speaking, and listening.
Skills in operating computers and utilizing appropriate software applications to include computer aided dispatch, state 911 system, and Microsoft office.
Excellent prioritization skills.
Understand, respond to, and apply complex concepts, information, and instructions including policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
Engage in frequent interpersonal interactions that are stressful or sensitive in nature.
Hear, understand and respond to verbal information in person, by phone, and by radio, including difficult to understand callers, and over background noise.
Speak clearly and concisely.
Work long shifts, up to 16 hours, while sitting for extended periods of time with light physical effort.
May spend sustained periods on a computer, telephone, or operate other office equipment.
Perform multiple tasks requiring manual dexterity at the same time.
Regular interaction with the public, other Town employees, and members of public safety.
Occasionally required to move, push or pull items weighing up to 30 pounds.
Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification within six (6) months of date of employment.
State 911 NG911 Operator certification within six (6) months of date of employment.
NCJIS/NCIC certification within six (6) months of date of employment.
APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator I (PST1) within six (6) months of date of employment.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive and prioritize emergency and non-emergency calls for service
Dispatch police, fire, and EMS units using radio and computer-aided dispatch systems
Maintain accurate call and incident records
Monitor multiple radio channels and coordinate emergency response
Provide callers with instructions and information during emergency situations
Receive emergency and law enforcement related communications from the public via various communication devices, including emergency cellular 911 and enhanced 911 network; provides assistance as needed.
Greet and assist members of the general public coming into the Towns Public Safety Complex.
Operate multiline telephone system.
Operate, monitor and utilization of approximately 100 camera CCTV system.
Monitor and maintain situational awareness of persons in Police custody via CCTV system.
Provides information via communications systems to coordinate the activities of law enforcement personnel who are engaged in major law enforcement actions such as high-speed chases, surveillance, searches, restraining orders, search warrants, etc.
Utilizes numerous federal, state, municipal law enforcement and emergency communications systems for the purpose of receiving, evaluating and forwarding information to other federal, state, and municipal law enforcement and emergency agencies.
Quickly and accurately obtain detailed and incident specific information from callers.
Receive, prioritize and appropriately respond to routine business and emergency calls for service.
Provide detailed documentation of Police/Fire/EMS response to incidents.
Responds to request from other agencies relative to missing or wanted individuals, criminal histories, stolen property, sensitive intelligence, stolen property, etc.
Dispense information to police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics in a clear tone of voice.
Give medical instructions over the phone to callers while responders are on the way.
Ability to study a map and give directions accordingly.
Responds to requests for information via telephone, from other agencies, the news media and the general public to provide both law enforcement-oriented, emergency, and general information.
Receive and transmit radio communications from Police/Fire/EMS personnel.
Prioritize and appropriately dispatch Police/Fire/EMS units to simultaneous emergencies.
Effectively manage and coordinate mutual aid responses to emergency incidents from multiple agencies.
Simultaneously monitor and maintain situational awareness of multiple public safety radio systems.
Monitor and maintain Fire Alarm system receiving equipment.
Coordinate multiagency responses to large scale emergency incidents.
Receive and transmit alarms of fire, either by fire alarm transmitters or telephone.
Operate the Zetron system connected with all commercial fire alarm systems within the Town.
Determines the availability of mutual aid.
Must be able to work up to 16 consecutive hours.
Must be able to work all shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
Maintain confidentiality of National Criminal Justice Information System (NCJIS).
Sees that all dispatching is performed in accordance with call taking and radio procedures.
Complete various other job duties as assigned by the Communications Director.