Public Safety Dispatcher (Trainee Opportunities Available)

Salary: $26.23 – $32.53 Hourly

Position Summary:

The primary purpose of this position is to receive emergency telephone calls and dispatch appropriate equipment and personnel to provide emergency assistance to the citizens in the areas of Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Rescue, and Public Works.

Under the daily direction of the Dispatch and Records Supervisor and the direct supervision by the Lieutenant (Operations), the employee works independently on assigned duties and responsibilities.

Essential Functions:

• Answers incoming phone calls regarding both emergency and non-emergency situations and documents the call information in order to properly dispatch appropriate personnel and equipment
• Prioritizes requests for service on the basis of nature of call and availability of field units
• Analyzes geographical locations in order to dispatch the nearest available and most appropriate personnel
• Maintains accurate and current awareness of the status and location of all personnel and equipment
• Assigns case numbers and verifies completeness of information on documents for accuracy
• Monitors building security via video monitors; monitors the main lobby area of the Police Station, officer booking area, prisoner receiving area, and holding cells
• Operates FCC approved radio equipment in order to properly and timely dispatch non-emergency and emergency personnel and equipment
• Monitors and answers several radio frequencies for local services and other frequencies for adjacent jurisdictions
• Operates computer terminals to enter, query, modify, or delete data from the APSIN, NCIC and CAD computer systems and transmits such data based on security standards
• Checks computerized records and papers for completeness and compliance with established standards and procedures
• Receives from other agencies sorts, disseminates, logs, processes and files a variety of documents, reports, and other records alphabetically, numerically, or by other established classification
• Distributes reports to other divisions such as the District Attorney’s Office, probation office and courts
• Responds to a variety of routine and non-routine inquiries by telephone or in person requiring a working knowledge of departmental policies and applicable laws
• Provides after-hours informational assistance to the general public
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other CBS departments and employees, state and federal officials, and the public
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Requirements:

Dispatcher Trainee is considered a training, entry-level position
• High School diploma or a GED; some college credits, preferred; and
• Some work experience dealing with other in a customer service, office setting, retail, or related area, preferred; or
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work

Dispatcher
• Completion of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials basic dispatcher course; and
• Completion of SPD Dispatch Training Program, emergency medical dispatcher certification, and Field Training Evaluation Program; and
• Twelve months as a Sitka Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee; or
• Prior dispatching experience for another public safety agency, in Alaska preferred

• Possession of, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire, a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska
• Must maintain Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) and Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) access, emergency medical dispatcher certification, and security clearance while employed by SPD
• Demonstrated ability to type 35 correct words per minute
• Must wear uniform within specified standards
• Will be required to pass background check and drug screen
• Employees will be required to work different 12-hour shifts including early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays and be on-call for 24 hours when necessary