Temporary Position: Public Safety Telecommunicator

University of North Carolina at Asheville • Asheville, NC

38d • $20

About The Position

The employee(s) hired for this position will serve as part of a temporary pool of reserve Telecommunicators for UNC Asheville. This position performs technical communications work in support of the University's public safety operations. Work involves receiving emergency and non-emergency calls, monitoring alarms, obtaining and relaying information, prioritizing calls/alarms and coordinating response procedures, dispatching appropriate public safety personnel, and maintaining public safety communications logs and databases utilizing Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD). The employee in this position is responsible for operating a host of complex telecommunications and computer equipment, including multi-line phone systems, multi-channel police consoles, two-way radios, scanners, monitoring security cameras and Division of Criminal Information terminals. Work requires knowledge of applicable Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations, an understanding of public safety operations, and skill in the operation of telecommunications technology. This position requires the ability to multi-task and to remain calm and composed in high-stress situations. The employee should also be able to work with a diversified community; be able to communicate effectively with those who may be irate; be able to make effective decisions in emergency life and death situations; be able to prioritize calls and identify potential dangers; and be able to work as a member of a team and interact favorably with all students, staff, faculty, and visitors. The employee is expected to maintain confidentiality and discretion in the course of conducting business; work individually and/or with others; and adapt to change and circumstances. Positions require shift, weekend, holiday and/or overtime work. The selected candidate must be able to work 12-hour day or evening shifts. The UNC Asheville Police Department is a 24-hour, 365-day-per-year operation.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalency and demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.
• Requires certification as a Division of Criminal Information computer operator or the ability to achieve certification within 45 days of employment.
• Some positions may require Basic Telecommunicator Certification in accordance with the provisions of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission or the ability to achieve certification within one year of employment.
• Ability to understand and follow FCC rules and regulations applicable to work.
• Ability to apply considerable knowledge of departmental policies and procedures related to the answering, response, and dispatch of calls; ability to work independently while reporting to supervisor on a regular basis.
• Proficiency in using telecommunications and information technology.
• Ability to display organizational awareness and an understanding of the general operations and procedures of applicable state and local public safety organizations (including law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue, security, and other response units).
• Ability to display sufficient knowledge of the infrastructure to dispatch and direct efficiently within the jurisdiction.
• Ability to complete required in-service training and maintain certifications.
• Ability to keep abreast of developments in telecommunications practices.
• Ability to listen to callers and quickly ascertain nature of call.
• Ability to obtain and extract relevant information.
• Ability to interpret and analyze messages from callers.
• Ability to apply judgment in responding to callers.
• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly; ability to effectively use language and tone to calm distressed callers and to provide aid/assistance via phone until help arrives.
• Ability to transmit radio messages quickly and concisely.
• Ability to direct emergency personnel to scene and convey relevant information to responders.
• Ability to interact with co-workers, supervisors, law enforcement and emergency response personnel (including those from other jurisdictions), university officials, media, and the general public to relay information and coordinate activities.
• Ability to use the full functionality of all departmental telecommunications equipment, including phone systems, radios, consoles, alarm panels, database/information systems, and computer aided dispatch (CAD) system.
• Ability to select, understand and fully apply a variety of features in software programs, databases, and information systems.
• Ability to key information accurately and efficiently.
• Ability to maintain DCI certification.
• Records, compiles, and summarizes data using established formats.
• Monitors messages from and creates entries for DCI terminal as needed.
• Maintains and ensures quality control of logs and data systems.
• Ability to analyze messages and information in order to determine priorities; ability to recognize critical incidents; ability to coordinate response; ability to initiate action based upon acquired information and knowledge of operating procedures.
• Ability to make consistently sound and accurate dispatch decisions.

Nice To Haves

• Prefer candidates with DCI and Basic Telecommunicator certifications.
• May also consider applicants with ability to obtain a certification within 45 days of hire.
• In addition, the ideal candidate will be proficient in Microsoft Excel, Google docs, and Banner.
• Candidates with a two or four year degree in addition to the certifications would be a plus.

Responsibilities

• Receiving emergency and non-emergency calls
• Monitoring alarms
• Obtaining and relaying information
• Prioritizing calls/alarms and coordinating response procedures
• Dispatching appropriate public safety personnel
• Maintaining public safety communications logs and databases utilizing Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)
• Operating complex telecommunications and computer equipment
• Maintaining confidentiality and discretion in the course of conducting business

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: High school or GED