New Job Communications Operator - Dispatcher In South Dakota

General Statement of Duties

Under the direct supervision of the Communications Commander and the general supervision of the shift commander, the Communications Operator is responsible for providing dispatching services to emergency services providers and public service entities during his / her tour of duty. The position will require working a rotation of various shifts and work days as assigned including day, evening and midnight shifts, weekends and holidays.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Both emergency and non-emergency calls for service determine the nature and priority of a call, so it is appropriate to call on appropriate service providers to properly address the needs related to the services.
• Monitor and maintain communications with field units to provide updated information from reporting parties and/or field units, identify additional assets required to assist in resolving situations and direct those resources to incident scenes.
• During emergency situations, provide direction and assistance to callers by using established protocols such as Emergency Medical Dispatch procedures prior to the arrival of service providers.
• Maintain records and information related to crime, dispatch information, calls for service, business information and contact persons. Assist with the filing, recording and storage of official dispatch data in a timely and efficient manner.
• During situations such as crimes in progress, dangerous weather conditions, or natural or man-made disasters, information concerning general safety and personal security is provided to the general public.
• Maintain communication with other local and regional emergency services providers.
• As requested, provide local and regional information such as weather and road conditions to emergency services providers.
• During periods when the main office is closed, walk-in customers are served. "
Operate office equipment in conjunction with emergency communications to include, but not limited to, telephone, both standard and enhanced 911, computer systems, two-way radio systems, photo copier, fax machine, computer paging systems, computer printers.
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Marginal Duties and Responsibilities

• As required, attend ongoing training sessions and departmental meetings.
• All duties and functions are performed in a manner consistent with safe practices and policies established by the City of Brookings and the Police Department of Brooking. '
• As deemed appropriate and directed, perform other such duties.

Minimum Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Experience and Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required for graduation.
• minimum of one year full-time experience in a full service law enforcement communications center preferred.
• Certification in Emergency Medical Dispatching and CPR preferred.
• As a full-time NCIC operator, current certification is preferred.
• The current South Dakota 911 operator prefers certification.
• Basic knowledge and experience with the use of both local area networks, state networked computers and their components or similar Computer Network Experience; telephone and E91 telephone systems, two-way radio systems? General dispatch equipment.
• Can pass an extensive criminal history background investigation to include no serious misdemeanor, felony or domestic violence convictions.
• Can demonstrate good communication skills both in writing and oral.
• Can maintain a professional relationship with outside agencies, departments, and the general public. )

Language Skills

• How can I read and understand instructions, short correspondence notes and memos?
• For documentation purposes, the ability to compose correspondence and summary activities. '
• In one-on-one and small group situations, the ability to effectively present information to customers, customers and other employees of the organization is important.
• Can accurately record and disseminate information received from the public or emergency personnel via telephone or radio transmissions.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers, multiply with I's and O's and divide.
• Can perform these operations using units of volume and distance.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
  
• Can interpret a variety of instructions provided in written, oral or diagram form.

Examination, Testing and Certification

• Successful competition in written and oral interviews.
• The current South Dakota 911 operator certification or ability to obtain certification within one year of appointment.
• The current certification in Emergency Medical Distribution and CPR is not available within one year of the appointment.
• The current NCIC full-time operator certification or ability to obtain one within one year of appointment.
• Such examinations are deemed appropriate and necessary by the city.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel and talk clearly and hear.
• The employee is frequently required to reach for his hat and his glasses.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required for the job include close, distance and peripheral vision. The ability to focus is also necessary.
• The employee must work various shifts, which may include weekends and holidays, as well as evenings and weekends.
• What is the best way to keep calm and focus during high-pressure situations?

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Typical Performance Requirements

• Can operate a radio, telephone, computer, and other equipment effectively.
• How do I communicate effectively with the emergency services and the public?
• In times of crisis, exercise sound independent judgment with the ability to act quickly and decisively.
• Can demonstrate a working knowledge of federal, state and local codes and ordinances as it applies to initial contact for law enforcement services.
• Can communicate procedures involving medical emergency dispatch techniques to callers during medical emergencies.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of local geography. Describe the ability to read maps and computer mapping systems and translate directions and locations effectively to emergency services providers.
• The special requirements and tasks associated with the emergency services and call taking.

Pre-employment Screening

Pre-employment screening may include, but is not limited to, the following: references, criminal background, credit history, drug and alcohol screenings, medical history questionnaire and pre-employment physical. )