Dispatcher I

Calvert County Government•Oxford, MS

9d•$23 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

This recruitment is being conducted to establish an eligibility list to fill current and future vacancies as they arise. Candidates who meet the qualifications and successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list. The roles involve public safety communications work, receiving, screening, prioritizing, and relaying information over a communications system involving multiple phone lines and a computer-aided dispatch system. Work includes receiving and processing emergency 911 and non-emergency calls for police, fire, rescue, and emergency medical services. The work has unusual demands in terms of responding to callers under stress and requires emergency call-taking and dispatch training. The work is performed under direct or general supervision.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED equivalent.
One year experience in an emergency service environment or work experience with data entry/keyboard functions, answering phones, and involving contact with the public in person (for Call Taker/Dispatcher Trainee).
Two years of experience in a Public Safety Communications/Emergency Communications Center as a police, fire or medical dispatcher or one year as a Communications Officer Trainee with Calvert Emergency Communications (for Dispatcher I).
Must have successfully completed ETC, EMD, EPD, EFD, and Meters Training (for Dispatcher I).
Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application.
Successful completion of “Criticall” testing.
Successful completion of a typing test with a minimum 35 WPM.
Work involves handling highly stressful calls, and giving basic first aid and life-saving instructions.
Ability to learn Calvert County’s geography, roads, businesses, and neighboring counties.
Ability to work in a fast paced, highly stressful, multi-tasking environment, in which all phone and radio transmissions are recorded.
Ability to speak clearly and distinctly to relay information in a precise manner over the phone, radio and in person.
Ability to hear multiple conversations simultaneously, distinguishing between voices and sources to obtain relevant information quickly and accurately.
Ability to remain calm in an extremely stressful environment.
Ability to respond to calls for service promptly and accurately.
Ability to get along with and successfully communicate with co-workers, personnel in other agencies, and especially the public.
Ability to work as part of a team and independently when required.
Ability to accurately read maps and give directions.
Ability to perform Public Safety Communications functions rapidly and proficiently.
Ability to type on computer keyboards while reading from protocol while conversing on the radio.
Ability to operate keyboard proficiently, with good spelling skills in order to successfully input calls in CAD and PROQA systems.
Ability to work well within an operational Chain of Command.
Ability to adjust to a highly disciplined field of work.
Ability to deal effectively and calmly with people in stressful situations and the public, demonstrating good customer service skills over the phone.
Ability to interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures utilized in public safety dispatching (for Dispatcher Trainee).
Ability to handle stressful calls and dispenses technical and life threatening information (for Dispatcher I).

Nice To Haves

Must successfully complete CPR, ETC, EMD, EPD, EFD, ICS-100A, ICS-200A, IS-700A, HAZMAT Awareness, Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness, and Meters/CJIS Training within the probationary period and maintain all required certifications (for Call Taker).
Must successfully complete CPR, ETC, EMD, EPD, EFD, ICS-100A, ICS-200A, IS-700A, HAZMAT Awareness, Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness, and Meters/CJIS Training within the one year probationary period and maintain all required certifications (for Dispatcher Trainee).
This position may require such certifications as mandated by the county, such as IAED Emergency Telecommunicator Instructor, Emergency Police/Fire/Medical Dispatch Quality Assurance, APCO Communications Training Officer, and applicable FEMA certifications (for Dispatcher I).

Responsibilities

Answers emergency 911 and non-emergency calls for Calvert County and enters data into the Computer Aided Dispatching System.
Operates computerized 911 phone systems successfully for all incoming 911 phone calls, as well as all other non-emergency phone calls received.
Operates Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), GIS (mapping), and emergency dispatch (Pro-QA) software systems.
Uses TDD within the phone system to communicate with hearing or speaking impaired persons.
Receives reports of fire, medical emergencies, and law enforcement, and utilizing (CAD) processes information for rapid dispatch of emergency services.
Provides emergency pre-arrival and/or post-dispatch instructions over the telephone for all emergency calls including, but not limited to CPR, bleeding control, and childbirth assist instructions.
Uses computer to enter data and access criminal justice information systems to obtain information for law enforcement officers.
Records and maintains a log of daily 911 calls with the utilization of CAD and maintains records of fire, medical, and law enforcement activity.
Monitors security cameras and County’s building alarm system and dispatches appropriate service when activated.
Places calls for repairs to radios, pagers and other communications devices.
Makes after-hours non-emergency or emergency notifications for the dispatching of other County agencies.
Completes and maintains required course work for mandatory ETC, CPR, EMD, EFD, EPD, CJIS/NCIC/METERS certifications and licenses; complete mandatory ICS-100A, ICS-200A, IS-700A, HAZMAT Awareness, and Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness.
Performs all work as directed by the Division Chief and as established in the Standard Operating Procedures.
Performs routine daily housekeeping at the center.
Dispatches calls to appropriate service (police, fire, rescue, emergency medical service).
Monitors and operates a complex public safety radio 800 MHz Trunking system to dispatch calls.
Maintains communications with Maryland State Police (MSP) troopers for simulcast calls.
Dispatches and maintains communications with Med-evac helicopters for trauma fly-outs and searches.
Calls back 911 hang-ups to verify information; notifies police as appropriate.
Maintains procedure manuals and files.
Tests equipment and devices at the center for proper operation.
Notifies parties of government closings at the discretion of county officials.
Works well in a team environment.
May train Public Safety Call Takers/Dispatcher Trainees as assigned.