Public Safety Dispatcher (Trainee Opportunities Available)

About the Department

The primary purpose of this position is to receive emergency telephone calls and dispatch appropriate equipment and personnel to provide emergency assistance to the citizens in the areas of Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Rescue, and Public Works.

Under the daily direction of the Dispatch and Records Supervisor and the direct supervision by the Lieutenant (Operations), the employee works independently on assigned duties and responsibilities.


• Answers incoming phone calls regarding both emergency and non-emergency situations and documents the call information in order to properly dispatch appropriate personnel and equipment
• Prioritizes requests for service on the basis of nature of call and availability of field units
• Analyzes geographical locations in order to dispatch the nearest available and most appropriate personnel
• Maintains accurate and current awareness of the status and location of all personnel and equipment
• Assigns case numbers and verifies completeness of information on documents for accuracy
• Monitors building security via video monitors; monitors the main lobby area of the Police Station, officer booking area, prisoner receiving area, and holding cells
• Operates FCC approved radio equipment in order to properly and timely dispatch non-emergency and emergency personnel and equipment
• Monitors and answers several radio frequencies for local services and other frequencies for adjacent jurisdictions
• Operates computer terminals to enter, query, modify, or delete data from the APSIN, NCIC and CAD computer systems and transmits such data based on security standards
• Checks computerized records and papers for completeness and compliance with established standards and procedures
• Receives from other agencies sorts, disseminates, logs, processes and files a variety of documents, reports, and other records alphabetically, numerically, or by other established classification
• Distributes reports to other divisions such as the District Attorney’s Office, probation office and courts
• Responds to a variety of routine and non-routine inquiries by telephone or in person requiring a working knowledge of departmental policies and applicable laws
• Provides after-hours informational assistance to the general public
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other CBS departments and employees, state and federal officials, and the public
• Performs all other duties as assignedPosition Duties

Knowledge of:

Dispatcher Trainee
• Professional office procedures and practices
• Office filing systems and procedures

Dispatcher
• SPD computerize dispatching and data systems such as Computer Aided Dispatch (“CAD”) and Report Management (“RMS”) complies with Criminal Justice Information System (“CJIS”) regulations
• Court filings procedures

Skills:
• Operating a personal computer and Microsoft software such as Word, Excel, and Outlook and any specialized software for public safety operation
• Performing computer entry duties with speed, efficiency, and accuracy
• Reading, writing, and mathematics, such as would have been obtained at a high school level
• Multi-tasking efficiently and effectively

Ability to:
• Recognize and maintain confidential information
• Work under extremely stressful situations which result from responding to emergency situations, including the responsibility for remaining calm and carrying out all duties with the recognition of the threat to life and property
• Work within a command structure requiring strict adherence to the following of orders
• Dealing with a variety of people calmly and professionally in a customer service situation, including times when the situation may be stressful
• Make decisions, sometimes quickly, as to the best course of action for responding to emergency situations
• Communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language
• Understand and follow oral and written policies, procedures and instructions
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructions
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
• Quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge

Minimum Qualifications
Dispatcher Trainee is considered a training, entry-level position
• High School diploma or a GED; some college credits, preferred; and
• Some work experience dealing with other in a customer service, office setting, retail, or related area, preferred; or
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work


Dispatcher
• Completion of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials basic dispatcher course; and
• Completion of SPD Dispatch Training Program, emergency medical dispatcher certification, and Field Training Evaluation Program; and
• Twelve months as a Sitka Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee; or
• Prior dispatching experience for another public safety agency, in Alaska preferred


• Possession of, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire, a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska
• Must maintain Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) and Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) access, emergency medical dispatcher certification, and security clearance while employed by SPD
• Demonstrated ability to type 35 correct words per minute
• Must wear uniform within specified standards
• Will be required to pass background check and drug screen
• Employees will be required to work different 12-hour shifts including early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays and be on-call for 24 hours when necessaryOther Qualifications

Working Conditions:
• Primarily works in an office work environment at the Police Station

Specific Physical Requirements:
• Frequently stands, sits, and walks
• Occasionally bends, stoops, reaches, and grasps
• Occasionally balances, crouches, climbs, and crawl
• Regularly operates office equipment requiring repetitive hand and arm movement and coordination using a computer and keyboard
• Occasionally lifts, pushes, or pulls up to 20 pounds
• Occasionally lifts, pushes, or pulls up to 50 pounds, with or without the assistance of proper equipment or the help from another
• Hearing acuity that demonstrates in both ears no hearing loss greater than 40 decibels at 500 hertz, 1000 hertz, 2000 hertz, and 4000 hertz, with or without the use of a hearing aid
• Visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without corrective lenses
• Peripheral field vision of at least 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian in each eye
• Visual acuity that permits the recognition of and the ability to distinguish gross colors including red, yellow, green, blue, white, and black.

General Physical Requirements:
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities which permits the employee to communicate effectively during emergency
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation which permits the employee to review documents in electronic and hardcopy form and to manage multiple screens and communication devices at a time
• Sufficient manual dexterity which permits the employee to operate computers and related communication equipment
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes which permits the employee to function in an office and police/jail environment