Entry Level Dispatcher

Fort Wayne, IN
Fort Wayne Police Department

Salary: $22.8801 per hour.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Shift Supervisor, the incumbent plays a critical role in emergency responses in Fort Wayne and Allen County. The incumbent performs emergency and non-emergency radio dispatching, including operating a 911 primary public safety answering point, which includes receiving and acting upon 911 emergency calls. The incumbent also works the police and/or fire department radio talk group and is responsible for providing driver’s license checks and warrant checks, as well as performing call backs for officers. This position is covered under the Consolidated Communications Partnership Employee Handbook. The incumbent is expected to exercise good judgment, independence, initiative, and professional expertise in conducting day-to-day operations. All work duties and activities must be performed in accordance with the City safety rules and operating regulations, policies and procedures as well as federal, state, and local regulations.

Essential Functions:

  • The ability to interact with the public, City incumbents, and outside agencies with patience, tact, respect, and professionalism.
  • Answers 911 and non-emergency calls for service.
  • Dispatches Police, Fire & EMS in Fort Wayne and Allen County.
  • Gathers, analyzes, and reports critical information during stressful situations.
  • Listening skills, to follow departmental policies and procedures, extracts pertinent facts, offers calm assurance to distraught, excited or angry callers.
  • Speak clearly in a calm or assertive, commanding voice, as appropriate.
  • Work in a high stress environment and makes decisions involving life and death situations;
  • Evaluate emergencies and extracts appropriate information from callers quickly in order to dispatch appropriate assistance in the shortest amount of time;
  • Respond to telephone and personal inquiries for general information;
  • Ensure the appropriate notification of City administrative staff of major police or fire activities, and events drawing news media attention, equipment failure, or other significant incidents;
  • Maintain appropriate documentation of calls for service, officer patrol activity, and other information;
  • Work with confidential records in National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Indiana Data and Communications System (IDACS) and Spillman database.

Requirements:

  • High School Diploma or GED; or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience;
  • Must be able to pass IDACS/NCIC screening, class and test, maintain certification, and recertify every two years;
  • Valid Driver’s License if City vehicle is used.