Public Safety Communicator- PRN (19hrs)

Buncombe County (NC) • Asheville, NC

36d • $20 - $28

About The Position

The purpose of this PRN (as needed) only position is the responsible and timely operation of communication equipment to receive and transmit emergency calls for the Buncombe County Emergency Services Department.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
• By the end of the training period, thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, processes, laws, ordinances, and regulations affecting public safety call-taking and the ability to apply them appropriately.
• Ability to use logic, critical thinking, and reasoning to reach conclusions and solve problems, using judgment and decision-making skills to rapidly evaluate situations, establish priorities, resolve matters, and pass on information, as needed.
• Able to adhere to policy and procedure requirements that are stringent, rigorous, and unwavering, including confidentiality of information and trustworthiness while dealing with sensitive information.
• Able to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively; relay details accurately; listen actively; think and act quickly.
• Able to effectively interact with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Handle, under pressure, and in emergency and stressful situations.
• Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously under pressure, and in stressful situations, including complaints and difficult situations, remaining calm under pressure to obtain information from hostile, confusing, and emotional callers in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to read and interpret geographical spatial data and maps quickly and accurately.
• Ability to operate computer systems with specialized software and enter data via keyboard and software with speed and accuracy.

Nice To Haves

• Prior dispatcher, telecommunicator, EMT/Paramedic, Firefighter, or Police Officer experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receive and screen requests for emergency services: Manage challenging callers using appropriate handling of distressed, autistic, hearing-impaired, elderly, angry, and foreign-language-speaking callers.
• Ascertain incident information by obtaining and verifying caller information, location, determining the nature of the incident, and all available data including but not limited to automated data, social media information, text message, images, or video and providing information to emergency services either verbally and/or digitally.
• Facilitate the transferring of calls to the appropriate resources and perform conference calls with entities, such as but not limited to poison control centers or helicopter dispatch.
• Interpret sensor data to triage, prioritize, and properly categorize a call.
• Document, prioritize, and sequence calls promptly in limited time with limited or no supervision.
• Operate a computer workstation comprised of multiple computer systems, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software, geographical information systems (GIS), and recording systems.
• Complete training, certifications, and competencies as needed by actively seeking training, completing the training and certifications required for assigned Call Taker position, and complete continuing education and career development as necessary.
• Follow established agency policies and procedures, being aware of liability to the department, and adhering to federal disclosure and privacy laws.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees