Public Safety Dispatcher

City of Prineville•Prineville Police Department, OR

About The Position

Crook County 911 processes emergency and non-emergency calls for Crook County, Oregon, and provides dispatch services for the Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff's Office, and Crook County Fire and Rescue, while coordinating with other local public entities and surrounding jurisdictions. Public Safety Dispatchers independently answer and process 911 and non-emergency calls requesting public safety services. The work includes giving safety admonishments and medical instructions, making decisions that may carry significant liability, and using radio equipment and other technology to coordinate police, fire, and medical responses. Dispatchers document calls for service and account for responder safety. The position works under the general supervision of the Communications Supervisor and/or Communications Director and is non-supervisory. Dispatchers handle calls with urgency, gather and relay information, provide caller instructions, and communicate with responders using radio, phone, mobile data terminals, and other methods. They enter and update call information while monitoring radio traffic and multiple channels, track unit status, and maintain awareness of activity in the field and dispatch center. They must protect sensitive information, follow applicable laws and policies, and obtain required certifications and training within specified timeframes. The job may require rotating shifts or compressed schedules, including days, nights, swing shifts, weekends, and holidays; mandatory overtime; and working alone for up to 12 hours after field training.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to keyboard accurately by touch at 35 words per minute or faster.
Ability to learn required computer systems, software, and equipment, and troubleshoot and resolve simple computer and equipment issues.
Ability to operate radio systems, enunciate clearly, and appropriately use agency terminology and codes, plain speech, and the phonetic alphabet.
Ability to monitor five or more computer screens.
Ability to learn the geographic area, community, agency resources, standard operating procedures, and mutual aid agreements, and use maps and related location software.
Excellent listening skills and ability to communicate clearly and elicit information from emotionally stressed or challenging callers.
Ability to multitask and switch quickly between essential tasks.
Ability to maintain good working relationships with coworkers, 911 user agency members, and the public.
Ability to remain calm in emergencies and make accurate, logical decisions quickly while processing large amounts of information.
Ability to manage stress, exercise discretion, and demonstrate sound judgment.
Ability to obtain and maintain required state certifications and licenses by the end of the 12-month probationary period: DPSST Basic Telecommunicator, DPSST Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD), LEDS Entry/Inquiry level, and CPR and First Aid.
Ability to pass a medical examination that includes vision, hearing, and drug tests.
Ability to pass a psychological evaluation.
Ability to pass a comprehensive background investigation, including a criminal history check, and obtain Oregon State Police Criminal Justice Information Systems clearance.
Possess and maintain an Oregon driver's license, or obtain one within 30 days if from out of state, with an acceptable driving record.
Be a U.S. citizen or be able to obtain citizenship within 12 months after appointment.
Be at least 19 years of age.
Ability to work rotating shifts and/or a compressed work schedule, including days, nights, swing shifts, weekends, and holidays.
After release from field training, ability to work alone without cover for up to 12 hours.
Ability to work mandatory overtime with little to no notice and/or report to the workplace from home when emergency situations warrant.

Responsibilities

Handle emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch police, fire, and/or medical responses with urgency.
Occasionally handle service requests received through text to 911, email, or other communication methods.
Manage callers, promptly gather pertinent information, and provide professional service.
Give callers instructions to help protect their safety and the safety of others, and remain on the phone when needed.
Communicate with responders by radio, phone, mobile data terminal, and other methods.
Route calls for service in outside jurisdictions to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point and place outbound calls as needed.
Comply with regulations governing data systems accessible through local, state, regional, federal, or international networks.
Enter and update accurate, orderly call information in computer systems while handling phone calls and monitoring radio traffic on multiple channels and frequencies.
Monitor field and dispatch-center activity, document and update unit status, and gather and relay information related to responder safety.
Maintain knowledge of the service area and surrounding geography and use maps to determine appropriate responses.
Handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
Obtain and retain required licenses and training within specified timeframes.
Follow City and Department policies and comply with state and federal laws.
Perform other duties as necessary or assigned.
May provide training and orientation to newly assigned personnel.