Dispatcher I

Calvert County Government•Oxford, MS

2d•$23 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

Call Taker Performs 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 involves 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 training. The work is performed under direct supervision. Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee Performs public safety communications work in a trainee position for the County's central communications Control Center. Work involves receiving emergency 911 and non-emergency calls for police, fire, rescue and emergency medical services, and dispatching such calls to the appropriate service. The work has unusual demands in terms of responding to callers under stress and requires emergency dispatch training. The work is performed under direct supervision. Public Safety Dispatcher I Performs public safety communications work for the County's central communications control center. Work involves receiving emergency 911 and non-emergency calls for police, fire, rescue and emergency medical services, and dispatching such calls to appropriate service. The work has unusual demands in terms of responding to callers under stress. The work is performed under 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.
Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application.
Subject to criminal records check and detailed background investigation which includes a polygraph examination.
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.
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.
Operation of keyboard devices for sustained periods, sitting for lengthy periods.
Using a headset for the entire work period.
Various noise levels and periods of high activity.
Work is performed in a secure, windowless environment.
Required to work weekends, holidays, and rotating 12 hour shifts to provide 24/7 coverage.
Subject to call in or to remain on the job with short notice for emergencies.
This is an essential position. Must report to work as scheduled or remain as required during inclement weather, natural, and man-made disasters, etc.
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.
Must have successfully completed ETC, EMD, EPD, EFD, and Meters Training.

Responsibilities

Answers emergency 911 and non-emergency calls for Calvert County and enters data into the Computer Aided Dispatching System.
Operates computerized 911 VESTA Patriot phone system 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 in conjunction with receipt of 911 emergency and non-emergency calls.
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 notifications for the dispatching of other County agencies, i.e., General Services, Public Works.
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 related work as required.
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.
Monitors the activity of and maintains radio contact with dispatched units from initial report to termination of event.
Maintains communications with Maryland State Police (MSP) troopers from Prince Frederick Barrack for simulcast calls to Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and MSP.
Dispatches and maintains communications with MSP Med-evac helicopters, Park Police Med-evac helicopters, and Med-Star helicopters for trauma fly-outs and searches.
Makes after-hours emergency notifications for other County agencies.
Develops and performs training for new hires and others as required.
Prepares control cards and maintains logs of calls, complaints, tests, time checks and other actions.
Maintains operating statistics.
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.