Telecommunicator

A Telecommunicator works under the general supervision of the Communications Shift Supervisor and is responsible for answering 9-1-1 telephone lines, dispatching public safety personnel and equipment, and recording and relaying sensitive information that may involve life and death situations. As an employee of the 911 Communications Services Division, the Telecommunicator shall obey all policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the 911 Communications Services Division. Positions in this job class are subject to working evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime. This job class is treated as FLSA Non-exempt.

Illustrative Duties:

• Receives emergency and non-emergency calls, including enhanced 9-1-1, TDD, text, and administrative and private line telephone calls.
• Communicates effectively with citizens and the personnel of the agencies with which we interact.
• Answers and evaluates incoming calls for police, fire, or emergency medical services.
• Collects pertinent details and determines the priority of the call, sometimes within a few seconds of the conversation, and decides whether units should be dispatched.
• Hears and comprehends radio communication, even in adverse conditions, including but not limited to the outside noise at the scene where the unit is, background noise at the dispatch location, radio interference from outside sources, and field personnel not speaking clearly or loud enough.
• Accurately recalls details and procedures and applies them instantly in emergency situations.
• Dispatches calls to appropriate police and/or fire units via radio and coordinates responding backup units if necessary.
• Monitors radio frequencies and LINK/NCIC computers for significant activities.
• Using a computer or written log, document the nature of each call received, which unit(s) responded, the action taken, and the disposition of the call.
• Asks vital questions and directs callers with pre-arrival instructions to the involved parties of police, fire, and medical emergencies.
• Assess callers to interpret, analyze, and anticipate situations to resolve problems, provide information, dispatch emergency services, or refer callers to other agencies.
• Responds to non-emergency inquiries from the public by providing such information as phone numbers and local department information appropriate to their need, general information regarding traffic tickets, incidents, and accident reports, and the responsible officer.
• Provides various notifications to public safety agencies, businesses, and citizens, such as providing information on accident victims, arrested persons, alarm activations, etc.
• Verifies, enters, updates, and/or deletes the following kinds of information into the LINK/NCIC systems: missing persons or runaways; stolen, recovered, and/or abandoned vehicles.
• Assists police officers in retrieving information from the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and LINK/NCIC systems; e.g., a subject’s personal information, description, present/last known address, vehicle, any prior incidents or contacts with police officers, and criminal history.
• Retrieves and disseminates a variety of information to police, fire, and EMS personnel, such as warrants, stolen vehicles, complaint information, officer activity, fire activity, alarms, key holders, cross street information, etc.
• Accurately and effectively makes LINK/NCIC entries.
• Provides notifications, as needed, to utilities or other agencies, such as Paducah Power, FAA, EPA, railroads, etc.
• May testify in court as required regarding decisions made and actions taken.
• Participate in training less experienced dispatchers in the proper operation of technical systems and performing other job tasks.
• Activate monthly warning siren tests as directed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits:

• Paid time off (paid holidays, a personal day, and 3 weeks of vacation in the first year)
• Clothing allowance
• Comprehensive health and wellness package
• Opportunity for annual pay increases
• Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance offered
• Retirement benefits
• Voluntary & supplemental benefits are offered
• Education assistance is offered
• An Employee Assistance Program is provided by the employer

Salary Description:

$20.46 - $25.06 hourly/$42,551 - $52,124 annually