Emergency Communications Officer I

Canyon County•Caldwell, ID

1d•$25•Onsite

About The Position

An employee in this class answers emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire, and other emergency services using a multi-line telephone and 911 systems. Employees in this class have successfully completed all training and can function proficiently with the Law Enforcement or EMS radio system. This position is responsible for fast, efficient, and accurate receiving, dispatching, and processing of calls and messages. The work is performed under the supervision of a Communications Officer II. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment, frequently under stressful conditions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalency
Knowledge of: Telephone call-handling techniques
Knowledge of: Radio transmission procedures to produce effective communication between two parties
Knowledge of: Federal (FCC), County, Office, contract agency, and other applicable policies, rules, and regulations
Knowledge of: County streets and surrounding areas, including geographical layout of contracting cities within the County and other operating districts served by the Office
Knowledge of: Police and Fire/EMS dispatch procedures
Knowledge of: Office organization, policies, and procedures
Knowledge of: Specialized and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) operating system and multi-line telephone system
Knowledge of: Operation of a personal computer and job-related software
Ability to: Work cooperatively and constructively with fellow workers and members of the public to provide public service of the highest quality and quantity
Ability to: Follow written and oral instructions
Ability to: Enter and retrieve data and information with accuracy and speed
Ability to: Operate radio transmitting equipment in a fast and efficient manner, including under stress
Ability to: Perform routine clerical work
Ability to: Follow Office guidelines and procedures relating to response to emergency situations
Ability to: Exercise good judgment in the handling and prioritizing of calls within the Office
Ability to: Effectively communicate and make decisions related to dispatching emergency vehicles under stressful work conditions
Ability to: Listen and retain information communicated in emergency calls
Ability to: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other County employees and the general public
Ability to: Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing
Ability to: Operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties
Ability to: Operate specialized computer-assisted dispatch (CAD) communications equipment, criminal information retrieval systems, and a multi-line telephone system
Ability to: Operate a motor vehicle
Ability to: Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports
Ability to: Respond to citizen requests in a courteous and effective manner
Ability to: Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under stress and the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
Ability to: Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner
Ability to: Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks
Idaho driver’s license
Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a polygraph examination, through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions, to listen and respond to radio transmissions and voice instructions; to communicate effectively in person, on the telephone, and over a two-way radio; ability to hear sounds within the normal range of hearing (phone conversations, co-workers, supervisors, radio traffic) and to hear in the presence of noise
Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to review a wide variety of written and electronic materials, distinguish letters and numbers, and to see in detail objects or printed material at greater than arms length
Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate control mechanisms such as radio knobs and other mechanisms requiring fine adjustments to position, to handle a variety of records and files, to type with speed and accuracy, to operate a motor vehicle, and to operate standard office equipment and a personal computer
Sufficient personal mobility, agility, and flexibility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to stand or sit for long periods of time, move between work stations, lift up to 25 pounds, and work in an office environment.

Nice To Haves

Some experience and/or training in emergency dispatch, communications, or related field is preferred
Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.
Idaho POST certification within one year of hire
Bilingual (Spanish and English) preferred.

Responsibilities

Receives, evaluates, and prioritizes requests for emergency and non-emergency service from the public, police and fire agencies, County offices, contract agencies, and other callers
Interviews emergency callers to determine the nature of the emergency, location of the incident, other related information and the need for dispatching of emergency assistance using a telephone switchboard according to established rules and procedures
Processes the requests received according to procedure; determines as much information as possible from the requestor to enable the most appropriate agency of responsibility and the most appropriate level of response
Uses computer aided dispatch to enter requests for service and track officer-initiated incidents
Dispatches fire units, police units, ambulances, and other necessary emergency and non-emergency equipment and personnel to aid officers in the field or the general public in emergency and non-emergency situations
Establishes a priority to each request in accordance with established guidelines and enters the request into the computer-assisted dispatch system for dispatch
Maintains telephone contact with callers in evolving situations until the arrival of personnel who take command of the incident
Determines from phrasing, vocal stress, and level of cooperation the condition of the caller to provide a proper level of response to the request to ensure the safety of the caller and responders
Retrieves and provides information from DMV, NCIC and ILETS to requesting field units
Enters and maintains clear and concise records in ILETS and NCIC
Maintains accurate log of calls, activities, reports, requests, and related information
Monitors radio transmissions from field units to track availability and location and monitor for safety
Monitors radio transmissions from other County, law enforcement, emergency, and non-emergency agencies
Retrieves and provides information to requesting agencies on outstanding warrants, protection orders, and related information
Provides assistance, information, and answers inquiries from the public
Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County and Office policies, procedures and safety practices
Perform other data entry work for the Sheriff’s Office
Testifies in court, as needed
Performs other related duties as required