Emergency Communications Specialist

Salary: $25.21 – $37.82/hourly

Position Summary:

The Emergency Communications Specialist is a professional that performs skilled work operating in a primary PSAP that receives and relay calls for emergency and non-emergency public safety assistance via both radio and phone calls. Dispatch law enforcement, emergency medical/fire, and code enforcement for an Englewood Police Department. Duties may include activities such as: call taking and referral; providing information and assistance to non-emergency callers including referral to outside agencies; entering call records, maintaining call logs, and compiling call-related statistics; operating computer-aided dispatch systems for public safety law enforcement and medical/fire incidents;. This is a safety-sensitive position that handles confidential information.

Essential Functions:

• Receive and prioritize emergency and non-emergency calls and digital requests for help from the public requesting police, fire, ambulance and other emergency services; gather, analyze, and report critical information during life-or-death situations such as crimes in progress, medical emergencies, and fire/rescue incidents, and dispatch units according to policy.
• Operate a variety of public safety communications equipment including a multi-channel radio, 911 emergency telephone equipment, text-to-911 equipment, advanced location systems, computer-aided dispatch systems, instant recall recorders and reverse 911 program.
• Read/interpret maps for the public, field personnel, and other agencies in order to assist in locating certain geographical areas; interpret telephone call locations from maps by applying knowledge of local geography in order to provide appropriate and timely assistance.
• Provide assistance, information and directions to non-emergency callers; refer and/or transfer calls to outside agencies as appropriate
• Coordinate and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement and fire-fighting agencies; coordinate and assign resources as necessary in emergency and non-emergency situations; maintain contact with all units monitoring status and location of police, fire and emergency medical service units and code enforcement units.
• Effectively communicate, orally and in writing, with members of the public as well as internal team members. Teamwork is a vital component of success in this job.
• Take protective actions for first responders by providing life-safety information during responses such as officer down and MAYDAY calls.
• Provide assistance, information and directions to emergency and non-emergency callers; refer and/or transfer calls to outside agencies as appropriate.
• Retrieve information from State and National computer networks regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other related information; relay information to officers in the field.
• Enter automated records of activity into the computer; maintain a variety of logs relating to public safety dispatch activities; compile statistics on calls received.
• Review policy and procedures with trainees; work directly with trainee on shift to ensure proper techniques, call routing, and appropriate level of response; may provide input to supervisors on trainee progress as requested.

• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Requirements:

• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
• At least two (2) years’ work experience with one (1) of those years in a customer service environment. Experience in emergency dispatch, general dispatch, or call center environment is preferred.
• CCIC/NCIC certification obtained within six months of hire and renewal of certification every two years.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience at a primary PSAP; and
• Holds a current CCIC/NCIC certification or its equivalent for out of state applicants; and
• Holds a current Incident Command System (ISC) certificate.