Dispatcher, Emergency Services

Salary: $27.03 per hour

Essential Functions:

• The dispatchers receive calls, monitor several radio frequencies and monitor intrusion and fire alarms in a fast, courteous, accurate and efficient manner. After receiving a call the dispatcher must establish the nature and location of call(s), determine its priority, and dispatch the appropriate patrol unit, university support team and/or emergency services as necessary.
• Dispatchers maintain contact with all units in service by accurately tracking, monitoring, and documenting officer activities during their shift. They operate Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) console equipped with multiple computer terminals, including 911 call handling, geographic information system (GIS) mapping, camera systems and a radio console with multiple radio channels to dispatch public safety.
• The dispatcher must be familiar with operations and call transfer protocols of the two Mercer County Emergency Services Support Agencies, both Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Dispatch and The County Emergency Services Support Agencies of the contiguous County’s Emergency Service Dispatch, Middlesex County.

Requirements:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Must have excellent customer service skills
• Ability to work on all shifts (standard work week is 40 hours, standard shifts are 8, 10 or 12 hours), during various hours, including weekends and holidays. Overtime is mandatory.
• Hold a current Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certificate or be able to obtain during the probationary period (first 12 months).
• Hold a current Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) card or be able to obtain one within three months from date of hire.
• Hold an Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) or National Emergency Communications Institute (NECI) Emergency Communications Officer certification or be able to obtain during the probationary period (first 12 months).
• Able to remain seated for long periods of time at a console.
• Understand telephone conversations over a telephone or radio.
• Speak English clearly and enunciate words over a telephone or radio during stressful, emergency situations.
• Ability to: work, organize and operate with a high level of efficiency under pressure and extreme stress, to effectively handle multiple, differing tasks simultaneously; in multiple pieces of technology and software applications, to make critical decisions that affect campus wide response and reaction, to manage down time with self-initiated training, communications refreshers and at time limited supervision.
• This is a unionized position: International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professional of America (SPFPA).
• Per the SPFPA contract this position has a 12-month probationary period and the starting salary is $27.03/hour = $56,222/annual.
• The final candidate must successfully complete a background check.

Preferred Requirements:

• Three years dispatching in a medium volume Public Safety Dispatch service center.
• Knowledge of and operations of a conventional radio system.
• Knowledge and ability to operate Digital Trunking Radio System.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree.