Telecommunicator - Lateral Transfers

City of Rock Island•Rock Island, IL

About The Position

This position is for employees currently working as Telecommunicators at another agency. The Telecommunicator facilitates communications within a public safety radio system and related equipment, receiving and transmitting radio and telephone messages and dispatching ambulance, fire, and/or police personnel. Work follows standardized procedures and regulations and supports the efficient and safe operation of communications services during designated shifts. The role requires judgment when coordinating responses to routine and emergency situations that may affect public and responder safety. Assignments may involve multiple concurrent or sequential phases and decisions about unknown conditions, with action taken according to established criteria. Work begins under close supervision; after initial training, employees are expected to work independently. Performance is reviewed through observation and examination of records for compliance with procedures and quality of service. Employees working for another Telecommunicator agency as a 911 dispatcher at the time of hire may receive service credit for each full year of qualified prior service, up to ten years. New hires with 911 dispatch experience within the last five years may receive credit for all years of that experience, up to ten years. Thereafter, employees follow the RICOMM pay scale and receive negotiated wage and anniversary increases. The position provides public information and customer service, maintains communication and activity records, and coordinates with public safety personnel, other jurisdictions, and City departments. Candidates must meet a residency requirement by living in Illinois or Iowa, be able to report within 60 minutes when called for an overtime assignment, complete required training, and attain LEADS Certification.

Requirements

High school graduation or GED, and some college coursework in police science; experience as a telephone operator, dispatcher, or in similar work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Ability to learn the principles involved in operating radio, telephone, computer, and related communications equipment.
Ability to learn local and state laws and ordinances as required.
Ability to learn the City's geographic area, codes, signals, phonetic alphabet, and military time.
Ability to assimilate multiple unrelated information and activities at once and identify possible emergency contingencies.
Ability to detect the scope and magnitude of an emergency, set priorities, and make rapid decisions using mature judgment when faced with critical or unexpected situations.
Ability to speak concisely and distinctly, develop rapport, maintain composure, and deal effectively with hysterical or irate people.
Ability to maintain required records and perform data entry.
Ability to become certified in CPR and Emergency Medical Dispatch.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Skill in articulate and decisive verbal communication.
Must meet the residency requirement by living in Illinois or Iowa.
Must be able to report within 60 minutes after being called to work for an overtime assignment.
Must successfully complete required training and attain LEADS Certification.

Responsibilities

Monitor, receive, and broadcast communications on the public safety radio system; receive requests for medical, fire, police, and other emergency services by telephone or radio.
Create computer records of the daily activities of officers and fire personnel, including emergency runs, fire calls, vehicle stops, and time out of service.
Track complaints, designated priorities, and the availability of units able to respond to reported incidents.
Provide the public with information about City and departmental operations; assist callers with complaints and questions and provide information and assistance for other City departments.
Determine the type and location of assistance required, distinguish routine, priority, and emergency calls, dispatch the nearest appropriate unit, transmit pertinent information, and assign backup assistance as needed.
Monitor the fire alarm panel, maintain up-to-date City street maps, and notify fire stations of the nearest hydrant during fire calls.
Query local, state, and nationwide criminal justice data banks for information including warrants, driver history, missing persons, vehicles, firearms, and property; assess responses for compatibility with requests and relay information to field units.
Monitor the public works radio after normal working hours and answer fire and police administrative calls after office hours.
Enter information into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) using a computer terminal; transmit and receive coded and conventional messages with other jurisdictions via LEADS and other established communication links; maintain computerized information files.
Receive vehicle tow-in information from police officers and private companies, complete related recordkeeping forms, and enter data into files.
Train new Telecommunicators when assigned.
Perform other tasks, including running warrant lists and daily reports and entering citations and field interrogation cards.
Provide effective and efficient customer service and promote and maintain responsive community relations.
Perform related duties as assigned.