Public Safety Communications Officer (911 Dispatcher)

City of Schertz • Schertz, TX

8d • $23

About The Position

Dispatches appropriate police, fire, and/or EMS personnel; processes emergency and non-emergency calls; provides information and assistance to callers; maintains communication with callers and response personnel; prepares and maintains emergency communication records; operates and maintains various types of communications equipment; access to state and federal law enforcement databases; coordinates and performs a variety of dispatch functions on behalf of the 911 Communications Center and performs other related duties.

Requirements

• A High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of least 18 years of age.
• One year (1) experience preferred in either an emergency dispatch center or closely related experience in fields such as: customer service, call centers or fast paced work environments.
• Must pass a skills test including an acceptable working knowledge of computer operations, data entry with an emphasis on accuracy and speed; make and carry out decisions; competently perform under stress when confronted with emergency and critical situations; perform a variety of tasks, often changing quickly from one task to another without loss of efficiency and composure; work without constant direct supervision.
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s license.
• Licensed Public Safety Telecommunications from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement required within one year of employment.
• TCIC/NCIC certification from Texas Department of Public Safety required within six months of employment.
• CPR certification required within one year of employment.
• Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification required within one year of employment.
• Must show consistent progress throughout and complete all modules in allotted time frame of the City of Schertz's 9-1-1 Telecommunications Training program.
• Must be a U.S. citizen at time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Answers, processes, documents, and prioritizes emergency and non-emergency calls for service from citizens, officers, local businesses, and other law enforcement agencies; obtains necessary information from callers to provide pre/post arrival instructions for medical, fire and police emergencies.
• Dispatches appropriate police, fire, and/or EMS personnel; tracks the location and status of response units; maintains communication with field personnel; obtains and relays information including but not limited to incident locations, directions and caller/patient updates.
• Accesses and operates multiple confidential databases and programs to process information.
• Maintains contact with City personnel and outside agencies during times of emergency; coordinates mutual aid to neighboring fire, EMS and law enforcement agencies.
• Updates and maintains contact information and lists for City departments, various police divisions and other local community emergency services
• Monitoring and operating multiple job-related software programs on various computers that include but are not limited to Computer Aided Dispatching (CAD), a multiline non-emergency and 9-1-1 phone system, & communicating on a multichannel emergency radio system.
• Operates and assists in routine testing and maintenance of equipment including computers, radios and various communications devices; assists with routine maintenance and cleaning of the communications center including but not limited to: work stations, breakrooms, kitchen, storage rooms and common areas.
• Communicating clearly both verbally and in writing; utilizing maps and other resource materials; prioritizing and task switching during high levels of activities; controlling stressful emergency situations calmly and concisely; acquiring and maintaining a working knowledge of city streets, geography, boundaries, thoroughfares, landmarks, businesses, and locations of police, fire and EMS stations and districts; entering, retrieving, and compiling data from a variety of databases. Skill in typing and using computer systems.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees