Emergency Communications Dispatcher

Salary: $35.46 – $48.68 per hour

Position Summary:

Emergency Communications Dispatchers perform critical dispatch functions in the field of Emergency Communications. Incumbents operate sophisticated communications equipment including multi-channel radios, multi-line telephone systems, computer aided dispatch (CAD) systems, closed-circuit television (CCTV), and alarm systems to prioritize and process emergency and non-emergency calls for service and dispatch law enforcement and Facilities responders. Emergency Communications Dispatchers work directly with Primary Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs/9-1-1 Centers) to coordinate complex and high-risk incidents, as well as requests for officer back-up, and to dispatch fire and/or emergency medical services. Essential duties include answering emergency and non-emergency requests for service, determining the nature and location of the service required, taking necessary action to ensure the appropriate service is provided, and to dispatch law enforcement field units and keep their status. Work is often performed under stressful demands for speed and accuracy, and employees are required to perform with minimal supervision.

Essential Functions:

• Receive and rapidly triage and prioritize emergency and non-emergency telephone and radio calls for law enforcement and Facilities in a dynamic environment to determine appropriate action(s) to be taken.
• Maintain and monitor status of law enforcement field units and assign requests for emergency and non-emergency services to the appropriate unit(s) utilizing a computer-aided dispatch terminal and radio system.
• Effectively communicate with a variety of people with various educational, ethnic, sociocultural backgrounds, and identities.
• Maintain and thoroughly document accurate records of all events, written logs, and actions taken.
• Effectively communicate with and maintain positive customer service with callers, users, co-workers, PSAPs, and other Police, Fire and EMS partners.

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Multi-line call center or telephone experience
• 1-year of customer service experience
• 1-year of computer data entry and retrieval of information or comparable experience
• Critical thinking skills
• Operate a multi-line phone
• Ability to learn the geography of the OHSU campus and surrounding areas.
• Ability to effectively use oral and written communication in performance of duties and responsibilities.
• Must pass a law enforcement background investigation.
• Must pass a Medical Examination.
• Must pass a Psychological Evaluation.
• Must attend the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) Basic Telecommunications Academy and obtain Basic Telecommunicator Certification within 18 months after hire; must complete annual certification maintenance requirements to maintain position.
• Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) certified within first 6 months of hire
• Compliance with Code of Conduct, Respect in the workplace and Applicable policies, procedures and agreements related to position, department or OHSU as a whole
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation

Preferred Requirements:

• Associate or College Degree
• Minimum of 1-2 years: dispatch or heavy customer service experience
• Radio communications experience
• 9-1-1 Emergency Communications experience
• Prior experience working with a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) application
• Alarm monitoring
• Ability to receive and prioritize both emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Ability to multi-task and perform many simultaneous functions while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
• Current DPSST Basic (or Intermediate or Advanced) Telecommunicator Certification
• Current Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) Certification