Public Safety Dispatcher (Trainee Opportunities Available)

Salary: $26.23 – $32.53 Hourly

Position Summary:

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