Public Safety Dispatcher

National Park Service • Mesa Verde National Park, CO

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The National Park Service is hiring a Public Safety Dispatcher at Mesa Verde National Park. The position may be filled at the GS-05 or GS-06 grade level, with pay ranges of $40,736–$52,957 per year for GS-05 and $45,409–$59,031 per year for GS-06. First-time federal hires normally start at step 1. Duties may be developmental when the position is filled below the full performance level. Occasional overnight travel may be required, and the employee must obtain a government charge card for travel.

The dispatcher provides public safety call-taking and dispatch services, evaluates emergency calls, obtains information from callers, and determines call priority. The role operates a multi-frequency radio console, coordinates radio frequencies and traffic, and serves as a primary communications contact for law enforcement and other public safety responders. The dispatcher also uses public safety computer networks, monitors alarms, assists law enforcement investigations with background searches, and prepares records for retention.

The position is considered essential and involves sedentary work in a confined communications center, high stress, shift and rotating-shift work, and potentially long shifts during emergencies. Work requires sustained voice and hearing use, rapid and accurate reading of information from multiple sources, manual dexterity with computer and related equipment, and occasional lifting of boxes or supplies up to 50 pounds. The work area is typically secure, well-lighted, and temperature-controlled, with routinely high noise levels from electronic equipment, phones, radios, and conversations. During training or other occasions, the dispatcher may accompany field law enforcement personnel in patrol vehicles. The employee may not leave the center unless relieved by another qualified dispatcher.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or national.
• Pass a background investigation and receive favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Participate in Direct Deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Pass required pre-employment and random drug testing; a verified positive drug test prevents appointment.
• Meet applicable competitive Time-in-Grade requirements.
• For GS-05, meet one of the following: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04; four years of education above high school (120 semester or 180 quarter hours); or an allowable combination of experience and education. Specialized experience includes familiarity with public safety policies and procedures, relaying caller information through multi-line phones or multi-frequency radios, or dispatching safety or non-safety services.
• For GS-06, meet one of the following: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05; one year of directly related graduate-level education; or an allowable combination of experience and education. Specialized experience includes providing public safety dispatch or call-taking services and operating computer systems such as NCIC, NLETS, CAD, or similar systems to run queries and document communications.
• Document hours worked per week on the resume; current federal employees may need to submit a non-award SF-50 if their resume does not state weekly hours. Applicants using education to qualify must submit transcripts.
• Serve a one-year probationary period if required; continuation beyond the period requires written certification.
• Obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• Be able to function efficiently in a confined space for extended periods, use the voice for hours at a time, hear and distinguish multiple communications and signals, read critical information quickly and accurately, and operate computer terminals, keyboards, related equipment, and written logs.
• Be able to occasionally lift boxes and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Be available for on-call, evening, weekend, holiday, overtime, and shift work as required; the dispatcher may need to work long hours during emergencies and report during adverse weather.

Responsibilities

• Perform dispatch and call-taking services for public safety incidents and operations.
• Receive and evaluate emergency calls, question callers to obtain information, and determine call priority.
• Operate a multi-frequency radio console and coordinate use of assigned radio frequencies.
• Direct radio traffic to appropriate channels and restrict channels to emergency use as necessary.
• Prioritize radio traffic and related communications and serve as a primary point of contact for law enforcement and other public safety responders.
• Operate public safety computer networks, including NCIC, NLETS, and applicable state criminal information networks.
• Monitor and coordinate responses to intrusion, fire, robbery, panic, and maintenance-related alarms.
• Assist law enforcement officers with investigations by performing criminal and driver history background searches.
• Prepare and process records for retention in accordance with records management policies and procedures.
• Accompany field law enforcement personnel in patrol vehicles during training or other occasions to learn agency field procedures and jurisdictional boundaries.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to eligible and qualified candidates, at the agency's discretion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed