Dispatcher

South Padre Island, TX
South Padre Island Police Department

Salary: $16.42 Hourly

Position Summary:

The Dispatcher performs a variety of administrative and technical work in receiving and dispatching basic emergency information, keeping official records and assisting in the administration of the standard operating policies and procedures of the telecommunications division.

Essential Functions:

  • Operates 911 communications equipment to monitor and determine the exact nature of each request for service.
  • Responsible for applying learned principles and processes to provide quality customer services.
  • Responsible for entering accurate data into the Record Management System and CAD and also communicating accurate and detailed information during emergency and non-emergency situations.
  • Determines the location and agency involvement needed for each incident as required.
  • Determines nature of complaint and the appropriate codes and enters correctly in the computer CAD system.
  • Assist police officers in obtaining appropriate services and information by radio and telephone.
  • Ability to use sound judgment and operate within the procedural boundaries when dealing with stressful situations that are not limited to but include dealing with complainants that are emotionally upset, disturbed or sometimes very angry.
  • Responsible for assessing the needs of the customer, meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Monitors CCTV monitors in dispatch offices for cameras located throughout the holding /booking facility and City Hall spaces.
  • Coordinates for tow trucks and Public Works, emergency and non-emergency services.
  • Monitors telephones and radio in the dispatch center, answers all incoming calls and ascertains nature of call, gathers all necessary information to transmit or relay.
  • Dispatches police and other response vehicles for emergency responses, broadcasts nature, location and time of incident, contacts all required personnel such as the fire department in the event of an emergency situation.
  • Maintains log on radio and telephone communications, location of personnel and equipment, in the event of an emergency situation.
  • Maintains on-going contact with the responding personnel and keeps them informed of all incoming pertinent information. Records various information, such as traffic lights out, street closures, damaged City property, while keeping emergency personnel informed.
  • Operates radios as needed and assists in radio communications, operates base radio as required.
  • Composes, produces and edits correspondence, reports, memoranda and other material requiring judgment as to content, accuracy and completeness.
  • Inputs data into standard office and department forms, both manual and automated, makes simple postings to various reports, compiles and tabulates data.
  • Maintains dispatch documents and records, and any other paperwork or correspondence as needed.
  • Maintains various logs, charts and recordings to provide records of all emergency and non-emergency actions for follow-up investigative, administrative or legal actions.
  • Operates/maintains emergency and non-emergency equipment such as computer, printer , playback systems, CAD and other systems.
  • Maintains an immediately available library of emergency reference material such as computer manuals, repair logs, wrecker logs, policy/procedure, policy memos and other reference material.
  • Handles confidential information via TLETS.

Requirements:

  • Requires a high school diploma or equivalent with coursework in general office practices such as typing, filing, and basic accounting, or a closely related field.
  • Two (2) years of related work experience in increasing responsible general office work or a related field; or any equivalent combination of education and experience, equivalency to be determined by the City.
  • Must be TCOLE Certified or have the ability to obtain certification within one year of employment.
  • Must qualify for and obtain TLETS Terminal Operator certification from TCOLE within one year of employment.
  • A valid state driver’s license.
  • Bilingual: Spanish and English preferred.