Public Safety Communication Tele-Communicator

Primary responsibility is to receive, process, transmit and/or dispatch emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire, emergency medical, and other public safety services via telephone and other communication devices.

SUPERVISION

Under the general supervision of the Shift Supervisor.

Performs varied duties of a responsible nature, including dispatching and clerical functions, in accordance with established standard operating procedures, requiring comprehensive knowledge of departmental policy and procedure while using independent judgment to determine the correct response to emergency situations.

JOB ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a public safety communications 24/7 facility; often under stressful situations. Work includes assignments to day, evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts.

Operates telephones, radio equipment, computer equipment, and standard office equipment such as computer keyboard, copy machine, fax machine.

Makes constant contact with other employees, the general public, police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and other local, county, state and federal public safety personnel. Communicates complex and detailed information involving emergency E9-1-1 and non-emergency calls, often of a sensitive and confidential nature requiring the use of considerable tact to avoid friction and obtain cooperation.

Errors could result in delays in processing important information, damage to property, and loss of life and may result in legal and financial repercussions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

Monitors, answers and prioritizes all received emergency 911 and non-emergency calls.

Prioritizes and dispatches to police, fire, EMS, and other public safety personnel, via radio and/or telephone, all received complaints, emergencies, and alarms for fire, burglary, medical, panic, etcetera and other requests for public safety assistance, in a timely manner, while keeping supervisory personnel aware of priority situations.

Facilitates communications among police, fire, and EMS personnel during emergencies.

Provides medical instructions via a certified Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) system to callers in need of emergency medical assistance.

Assists the general public, furnishing information or making appropriate referrals.

Documents and maintains accurate and detailed records, written logs, computer logs, recorded calls, and other pertinent information received or transmitted.

Acts as an informational resource person to all public safety agencies for the transferring of general broadcasts received regarding missing persons, stolen property, and miscellaneous criminal activity.

Issues General Broad Cast (GBC) and General Information (GI) for any requesting public safety agency and validates information entered such as missing persons, stolen property, and etcetera.

Enters all criminal warrants into the LEAPS/NCIC computer for island law enforcement agencies; maintains log of all requests for LEAPS queries and alarm calls; cross checks entries as required.

Performs motor vehicle registration, boat registration, and license checks, as well as other related tasks, for local police and harbormasters.

Dispatches all requests for the services of animal control officers, harbormasters, coast guard, shellfish wardens, and trustees of reservations personnel, lifeguards, civil defense officials, deputy sheriffs, and other public safety personnel.

Coordinates with municipal and state highway departments during storms, snow removal, road closings, and other related situations.

Performs various administrative and clerical functions including, but not limited to, typing, data entry, filing, and logging.

Required to accurately document in a daily computer log incoming and outgoing telephone and radio communications;

Performs any and all other related duties as required by the Shift Supervisor, Communications Center Supervisor, the Sheriff or as the situation dictates.

Qualifications

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

High School diploma required, two years college preferred; Basic computer knowledge and typing skills. Criminal Justice, medical experience helpful, but not required.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill

Knowledge

Demonstrated knowledge of computer software designed for word processing.

Working knowledge of geographical layout of the island. Working knowledge of the public safety agencies on the island and the services to the public they provide.

Ability

Ability to learn Emergency Medical Dispatching and the E9-1-1 system. Ability to learn Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management System (RMS). Ability to learn National Incident Management System/Incident Command System (NIMS/ICS). Ability to work alone or with a partner and handle numerous emergency situations calmly, promptly and efficiently while under stress. Ability to follow complex instructions, and write clear, concise reports. Above average multi-tasking ability.

Skill

Demonstrated skill in typing, data entry, and record keeping. Able to prioritize the most important situations, and think quickly in pressured situations.

Special Requirements

Attend and successfully complete a five (5) week Massachusetts Telecommunicator Dispatch Academy.

Attend and successfully complete a one (1) week Emergency Medical Dispatch certification course.

Must obtain CJIS certification within six (6) months of hire.

Maintain certification as required for E911, EMD, CPR and CJIS.

Physical Requirements

Minimal physical effort generally required. Position requires the ability to operate a keyboard and sit at the computer and dispatch station for long periods. Ability to use hands, eyes and ears to operate dispatching equipment and other related emergency equipment at efficient speed.

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)