Civilian Police Dispatcher

Fitchburg, MA
The City of Fitchburg

Salary: $45,011 – $55,994 Annually.

Open until filled

Position Summary:

Responsible for receiving and processing all oral and written communications from the public and law enforcement personnel at Police Headquarters; primary responsibility for the initial deployment of law enforcement personnel and equipment; receive, transmit information accurately and rapidly via communications equipment; maintain accurate records.

Essential Functions:

  • Receive, record, and process all incoming oral communications through the dispatching system; process initial
    complaint inquiries received via telephone or made by a citizen at the Fitchburg Police Station;
  • Dispatch personnel according to department regulations and priorities; report out of service police vehicles to the Officer-In-Charge (OIC);
  • Respond to all complaints, speak and behave in a respectful, calm, clear, and courteous manner when addressing the public and department members;
  • Utilize established emergency procedures with capability of activating and dispatching personnel immediately to the field;
  • Maintain two-way communications with all personnel dispatched in the field; Periodically announce call letters issued by the FCC;
  • Maintain equipment, especially emergency call lines; immediately report any malfunction or defect to OIC;
  • Be knowledgeable of location and lay-out of streets, buildings, parks, housing projects and other significant areas to maximize accuracy and speed of dispatches; have a working knowledge of the area’s geography;
  • Possess thorough knowledge of Police Department procedures related to the use of radios and other communications equipment;
  • Type and process forms, complaints and reports as appropriate;
  • Preserve communications which are privileged and confidential;
  • All other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  • Must be minimum of eighteen (18) years of age;
  • Minimum educational requirement of High School Diploma or GED, with a higher education degree being preferred;
  • Valid Driver’s License;
  • CPR and First Aid Certification, present or past employment experience as Police/Fire/EMS dispatcher a plus;
  • Must be available to work rotating shifts twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week; be “on-call” and
    available for work with one (1) hour notification;
  • Accurately type/word process an average of twenty-five (25) WPM and be computer literate; Ability to successfully pass a typing/word processing test upon request;
  • Ability to perform independently, exercise initiative and independent judgement;
  • Express oneself clearly, concisely, in oral and written form, with accurate spelling;
  • Must possess ability to take accurate messages;
  • Must successfully pass audio-based assessment examination with minimum score of seventy percent (70 %);
  • Demonstrate the required skills and the ability to perform all work assigned by successfully completing a six (6) month probationary period;
  • Must successfully complete pre-employment physical, drug screening and background check;
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish a plus.