Public Safety Telecommunicator/Dispatcher

West Yellowstone, MT
West Yellowstone Police Department

Salary: $26.36-$29.53

Position Summary:

The principal function is to receive non-emergency and emergency requests for assistance from the general public. The work is performed under the supervision and direction of the Chief of Police and the 9-1-1 Communications Center Manager, but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires the employee to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town, county, state, and federal law enforcement officers, fire and medical personnel, other Town employees, and the general public. The principal duties are performed in a general office environment at the 9-1-1 Communications Center.

Essential Functions:

  • Receive emergency service calls from the general public requesting law enforcement, fire, medical, or search & rescue service, respond to radio transmissions, voice instructions, and telephone conversations simultaneously, monitor and dispatch appropriate personnel to calls under stressful conditions and strict time constraints;
  • Communicate effectively with local, county, state, and federal agencies;
  • Communicate accurate information to both the caller and field units in a clear and concise manner utilizing various communication techniques with persons who may be disagreeable, angry, frightened or stressed;
  • Learn, operate, and maintain proficiency on multiple computer systems and programs;
  • Determine the appropriate level of response on all requests for medical assistance and provide life- saving instructions to 9-1-1 callers using established protocols and procedures;
  • Simultaneously monitor multiple computer screens and telephone lines and immediately access each;
  • Enter, update, maintain, and retrieve confidential information using Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System (CAD/RMS) software and provide the information to law enforcement personnel;
  • Answer non-emergency calls from the general public, answer routine questions regarding directions, civil, criminal, and traffic laws, direct calls to police staff, other Town departments, or other agencies as appropriate;
  • Perform a variety of complex confidential records management duties;
  • Perform job duties thoroughly, follow personnel and department policies and procedures, show respect, tact, and courtesy in dealings with other employees and the general public, behave in a manner that does not hinder other employees from completing their duties, act in a manner that is safe and follow the Town’s safety procedures at all times, and establish and maintain effective relationships with supervisors, law enforcement, fire and medical personnel, and the general public;
  • Prepare correspondence and respond to requests for information or records;
  • Keep Communications Center Manager and Chief of Police fully and accurately informed concerning major incidents, potential problems, and suggestions of improved ways of addressing problems;
  • Receive monies and lost & found items, provide receipts, and record relevant information.

Requirements:

  • High School diploma AND;
  • At least 1-3 years of increasingly responsible experience as a public safety dispatcher or in a field requiring contact with the general public, customer service, retail, or fast-paced office environment;
  • OR any combination of experience and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills,
    and abilities necessary to perform the work.
  • Possess or have the ability to obtain emergency first-aid and CPR certifications;
  • Possess or have the ability to obtain CJIN II and Criminal History certification;
  • Be or become a Notary for the State of Montana within twelve (12) months of hire;
  • Completion of the Public Safety Communicator Basic course and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
    certification at MLEA within one (1) year ;
  • Offers for employment are conditional upon satisfactory response to appropriate post conditional offer process;
  • Pre-employment and periodic random alcohol & drug screening is required.