Telecommunicator

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority•Rifle, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Communications Authority serves all of Garfield County, answering an average of 250 calls per day, including 911 and non-emergency calls. They are the essential link between law enforcement, fire/EMS agencies, and citizens. As a public safety professional, you will be the primary connection between people needing help and the help they need. Every day presents new challenges, from fires and robberies to daring rescues or assisting those who don't know where to turn. This role requires special people with special skills. The Telecommunicator's primary responsibility is to answer emergency and non-emergency voice & TTY calls for service and simultaneously enter the information into the computer using a computer style keyboard and computer aided dispatch system. Based on the information secured, the Telecommunicator determines the nature of the call, whether a response is necessary and what type of assistance or information is needed. For emergency calls requiring law enforcement, fire or emergency medical response, the Telecommunicator dispatches via radio console, the appropriate response units to the scene according to priority and availability of field units. The Telecommunicator is additionally responsible for retrieving and accurately relaying to requesting law enforcement field units, information contained in the State (Colorado) and National (NCIC) computer systems and for entering and maintaining law enforcement data in the appropriate computer system(s).

Requirements

Must be 18 years or older.
High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
Must have the ability and willingness to work all shifts of a 24-hour per day period and be available for emergency call-in overtime.
Must have the ability to type at least 30 wpm on a computer keyboard.
Must have the ability to understand the English language.
Must have the ability to orally communicate events and information in English professionally and precisely.
Must have the ability to read and understand written communications.
Must have the ability to report events and information in writing legibly and accurately using proper English grammar and structure.
Must have the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously (Do several things at one time and remain focused under stress).
Must have the ability to appropriately handle stressful situations and maintain appropriate and constructive behavior and attitude in response to difficult or adverse situations.
Must have the ability to handle objectionable contacts with tact and diplomacy.
Must have the ability to detach from callers' emotions, yet project an image of empathy.
Must have the ability to accept criticism and/or discipline and responsibility for actions.
Must demonstrate good team worker abilities.
Must respect private, confidential information.
Must maintain dependable work habits.
Must have the ability to learn and apply the operational functions, policies and procedures of the position.
Must have the ability to remember numerous details and accurately recall information.
Must have the ability to act in an objective, decisive manner, using good judgment.
Must have the ability to effectively prioritize situations and information and make appropriate decisions based on information received.
Must have the ability to hear and understand sound sources coming through a communications headset or a radio or a telephone receiver; as well as the ability to hear and understand other outside sound sources not coming through the headset or receiver (i.e., ability to hear through both ears).
Must be able to speak English with sufficient clarity to be understood by others on the telephone, the radio or in person.
Must have the ability to read and discern visual images on a variety of media (i.e., ability to 'see' various written materials and various equipment displays/screens), including the ability to distinguish between colors on a color-coded computer screen.
Must be able to write English legibly.
Must be able to record names and numbers accurately (i.e., not transpose numbers and/or letters).

Responsibilities

Answers 9-1-1 voice and TTY telephone calls received from the public.
Questions callers to determine the nature and location of the problem; extracts and records essential information and gives proper advice and/or information to callers, including specific pre-arrival emergency medical instructions when appropriate.
Calls back disconnects to determine nature and location of problem, enters information as appropriate.
Dispatches, via a radio console, emergency and other calls requiring law enforcement, fire, and/or emergency medical response, according to priority and availability of field units.
Coordinates the response of back-up units and/or mutual aid as required.
Maintains strict radio discipline at all times.
Complies with FCC regulations and Center polices/procedures in the transmission of all radio traffic.
Maintains proper records of all response units dispatched (assigned and unit self-initiated).
Monitors dispatched units' activities and receives and transmits to field units updated information as it is received.
Retrieves and accurately relays to requesting law enforcement field units, information contained in the State (Colorado) and National (NCIC) computer systems (e.g., information regarding motor vehicles, driver's licenses, wants and warrants, stolen property, guns, etc.).
Enters and maintains law enforcement data in the system(s) as appropriate.
Notifies public works or utility service agencies to respond to emergency repair service calls received from the public or response unit personnel such as broken water mains, down power lines, streetlights out, etc.
Answers non-emergency calls and provides routine non-technical information upon request and refers all other questions to the proper person or agency.