Emergency Communications Dispatcher

Largo, FL
Largo Police Department

Salary: $21.21 hourly rate.

Position Summary:

Largo Police Department Emergency Communications Dispatchers serve the department and the citizens of Largo during non-emergency/emergency calls for service and many times interact with people who are in crisis. Successful public safety Emergency Communications Dispatchers are characterized by their professionalism and sense of duty to the public. An Emergency Communications Dispatcher must be very adept at multitasking in a constantly changing environment.

Essential Functions:

  • Demonstrates an understanding and reflection of the City’s mission, vision, and values and a commitment to achieve organizational goals aligned with the City’s strategic plan.
  • Champions a high-performance work culture that encourages and embraces new ideas, develops individuals, and welcomes and encourages diverse perspectives.
  • Articulates strategic and innovative thinking and provides clarity to deliver superior services.
  • Approaches the job with enthusiasm and curiosity to promote a solutions-oriented work culture.
  • Effectively manages assignments and priorities to ensure the fulfillment of projects, tasks, and responsibilities.
  • Follows suggested procedures to assure the highest standards of risk management, employee safety and risk avoidance.
  • Obtains and inputs critical information from phone calls to be used by dispatchers and officers.
  • Answers emergency and non-emergency telephone calls.
  • Transfers emergency and non-emergency telephone calls.
  • Researches addresses for jurisdiction.
  • Answers and directs phones for other agencies calling into the call center.
  • Dispatches officers or others to calls for service.
  • Records the self-initiated activities of the officers in the computer.
  • Runs criminal justice information in the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC)/National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
  • Enters stolen property, missing persons, and teletypes into FCIC/NCIC.
  • Monitors several radio channels at once including other departments or agencies.
  • Calls other departments or agencies to assist the department for various tasks.
  • Calls for outside services to respond to calls for service.
  • Provides limited law information for citizens which includes local city and county ordinances and Florida laws.
  • Researches computer data for citizens, officers, and other agencies.
  • Supports honest and transparent decision-making.
  • Collaborates with all team members in a way that builds upon ideas and takes personal accountability and ownership of projects, roles, and assignments.
  • Openly exhibits a positive attitude, in word and action, and encourages others to do the same.

Requirements:

  • High school diploma or general education diploma (GED).
  • Previous public safety dispatching experience (police, fire, EMS) and some college coursework is preferred.
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
  • Pass a strict and comprehensive background investigation.
  • Must be able to successfully obtain and maintain required certifications including but not limited to; Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Full Access Certification and Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Level 2 – CJIS Security Awareness Certification.
  • Must be able to successfully complete training course and pass the State of Florida Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification Examination within 12 months of hire.
  • Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License or be able to obtain one within 30 days of hire.