Public Safety Telecommunicator

A Public Safety Telecommunicator, often referred to as a dispatcher, is a vital link between the public and emergency response personnel such as police, fire and medical services. PST's play a crucial role as one of the foremost pillars within the structure of the Sheriff's Department. Our community, police, fire and medical professionals rely on our PST's daily. They are typically responsible for receiving emergency and non-emergency calls, assessing the nature and urgency of the situation, and dispatching appropriate units to the scene. Mower County PST's are dedicated and selfless people with a desire to serve and improve our community.

*Priority Deadline of March 27, 2024 and open until filled.

Department: Sheriff - Dispatch Rating: B23
Supervisor Title: Communications Supervisor FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience:

High School Diploma or G.E.D.; 3 or more years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. Regular and reliable attendance is a necessary component of job/position.

Required License (s):

Valid Driver’s License

Nature of Work:

Under the general supervision of the Communications Supervisor, the Dispatcher performs specialized work in receiving emergency calls for service and dispatching the appropriate police, fire, and EMS, as required. Using highly technical computer aided dispatch systems (CAD) and multi-channel radio/paging consoles, the Dispatcher must act quickly, efficiently, calmly, and accurately to process incoming emergency calls and dispatch and coordinate emergency responder resources. Dispatchers are expected to observe all local, state, and federal laws as well as established policies and guidelines that direct them in meeting department service requirements.

Level of Decisions

Positions in this classification perform tasks to accomplish the defined goals related to communications and corrections operations. Employees have limited latitude in the technology or process used but may require unique application of technical processes or systems to determine solutions.

Direction Received/Provided:

Incumbents apply procedures and standards to specific situations, and work under given general direction as to how the objectives and goals are achieved. Incumbents may guide and train temporary employees, and/or regular employees; troubleshoot problems and issues commensurate with relevant experience; and instruct others in work methods and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

· Customer service principles;

· Ability to speak clearly and concisely over the radio and telephone;

· Ability to deal courteously, tactfully and professionally with the public reporting emergencies and seeking information or filing a report;

· Ability to take and transmit clear and complete direction and information;

· Ability to analyze situations quickly and make sound decisions in emergency and routine situations;

· County geography/ability to use maps;

· Recordkeeping principles;

· Efficient keyboarding;

· Computers and related software applications;

· Remaining calm in stressful situations;

· Using computers and related software applications;

· Oral and written communication sufficient to exchange or convey information and to provide and receive work direction.

Persons with Disabilities:

The above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodation may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

In compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the Physical and Environmental Demands: This is a semi-sedentary in nature position performed within the Communications Center. Acute hearing and vision, memory recall, manual dexterity, ability to distinguish colors used on maps and consoles, and clear articulate speech are needed to perform the essential duties of this position. Frequent turning/twisting, reaching, grasping and pinching. Incumbents will be working on equipment such as 911 systems, 2-way radio, head sets, telephones, copy and fax machines. Decisions must be made quickly with little margin of error and the consequences are usually seen immediately. Work involves the operation of multiple computer terminals, requiring you to do several things at once, without getting confused or forgetting an important piece of information. Constant attention to the workstation and its communications equipment limits mobility, except for work breaks. Incumbents function in a stressful environment in shifts that may include nights, weekends and holidays. Operators must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism despite frequent contact with individuals who are distraught, angry and sometimes disrespectful. The content and nature of many calls is traumatic and disturbing. Work is carried out in a secured 9-1-1 emergency call center in a controlled, closely supervised, and highly structured work environment. Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.

Disclaimer:

This description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Access to Not Public Data:

A county employee in this position may encounter Not Public Data as defined by Minnesota or federal law in the course of the job duties. Any access to Not Public Data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that is necessary to fulfill the defined job duties. While data is being accessed, the employee should take reasonable measures to ensure the Not Public Data is not accessed by unauthorized individuals. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished, the employee must properly store the Not Public Data according to the applicable provisions of Mower County employee policies and Minnesota or federal law. All employees are expected to become familiar with and comply with the requirements of the County’s Data Practices and Data Security Policies and a breach of these policies may lead to disciplinary action against the employee.