Public Safety Dispatcher (Trainee)

Salary: $1,638.00 Bi-Weekly

Position Summary:

This is the entry-level dispatcher position within the City of St. Louis Department of Public Safety. Incumbents work as call takers and receive Police, Fire, EMS emergency and non-emergency calls from residents, generate the appropriate service request(s), and/or redirect the calls to other dispatch personnel for appropriate follow-up and response.

Essential Functions:

• Answer telephone calls to the 9-1-1 center received over 9-1-1 and various other, non-emergency phone numbers, evaluate calls for the need for police, fire, emergency medical services or other non-emergency responders.
• Provide information and/or redirect calls to other agencies or divisions if not a police incident requiring dispatch of police officers to the scene.
• Notify the Fire Department, Emergency Medical Service or other agency when their services are needed.
• Transfer caller to the appropriate agency if the need for service is outside the City of St. Louis.
• When acting as a Complaint Evaluator, operate Computer Aided Dispatch system terminal; enter crime type, location information of caller, location where service is needed, caller’s name and telephone number, emergency service needed, narrative encapsulation of incident, and other necessary remarks. Transfer completed or partially completed CAD incident to appropriate Dispatcher. Inform the appropriate Dispatcher and police units over the radio of certain serious incidents before transferring the CAD incident to the Dispatcher. May adjust the priority level of the incident when necessary.
• When acting as an Information Dispatcher, operate Regional Justice Information System to conduct inquiries on wanted persons, vehicle registrations and other information requested by police officers; make notifications and callbacks requested by officers; maintain manual records of requests and results.
• Maintain constant communication with callers and, if necessary, update officers of the situation on-site.
• Monitors call systems in the Communications department; maintain a high level of response when incoming calls are at peak volume.
• Inform supervisor of all serious incidents or those of an unusual nature.
• Comply with revisions from time to time after mutual consultation.
• Manually record requests for non-emergency services involving on-going problems for forwarding to the appropriate police district.
• Regular, punctual attendance is required.
• Keep up to date records and files such as gas and preventative maintenance records on all vehicles; tool control lists; etc.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of filing application.
• A high school diploma or General Educational Development (G.E.D.), plus some experience in emergency public safety services, dispatching, or customer service in a call center work environment; OR, completion of a recognized dispatcher training program. OR, an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• As part of the character investigation, applicants must meet the minimum screening requirements for certification to access the REJIS and MULES Criminal Justice Information Systems within 60 days of appointment. Incumbents must maintain said certifications while employed by the City of St. Louis.
• Previous experience as a Police, Fire, or EMS Dispatcher.