Public Safety Telecommunicator – I

Pulaski, VA
Pulaski County Sheriff

Position Summary:

Entry-level position under supervision, receive, process, and relay requests for police, fire or emergency medical services; works on an assigned shift and overtime when operations necessitate; attend and successfully complete the Virginia Department of Criminal Justices Entry Level Dispatch Academy, APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator Course, the APCO Fire Service Communications Course, and on-the-job training, to include achievement of certifications and progression to the Public Safety Telecommunicator – II position. Per County of Pulaski policy, this position is classified as “Essential,” therefore, the Public Safety Telecommunicator is subject to immediate recall during major and/or emergency situations.

Essential Functions:

  • Operate emergency telephone system and receives and process calls for Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) affecting lives and property of citizens; operate non-emergency telephone system receiving calls for nonemergency police service, fire, emergency medical services, requests for information, complaints, or other miscellaneous situations; operate a multi-screen computer console connected to a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and telephone equipment to receive and process emergency calls and non-emergency calls; and apply professional communication techniques to calm emotional, irate, irrational, or reluctant callers. Answer incoming TextTo-911 calls for service.
  • Locate and verify location of incident and/or caller using Geographical Information System (GIS) software and other sources of information provided by CAD system; consult available resources (e.g., Emergency Medical Dispatch manuals, cross directories, tow tracking system, computer dropdown menus, computer information files, mapping system) to obtain information to respond to and document calls; consult manual information systems when CAD system is malfunctioning; and classify and assign nature codes to ensure proper communication of situation.
  • Provide information updates to dispatcher or field units as new information about a particular call or incident is
    provided or obtained; receive and respond to messages or verbal request from other staff for additional information; and communicate information to supervisors, as necessary.
  • Process calls for police assistance in college buildings, state parks, and national forest located within the County following written protocols; process calls reporting intoxicated drivers; process bomb threats, third party report of bomb threats, and/or “explosive device found.” Process biological/chemical threats involving mail or packages; and receive and process non-emergency calls. Process Animal Control calls for service; and process fires reported out, all fires of undetermined origin, and reports of odor of smoke.
  • Conduct follow-up calls.
  • Receives and processes municipal and private building alarm activations; records municipal and private building alarms that are out of service and when alarms are placed back into service. Identify and report technical problems with equipment.
  • Perform responsibilities during emergency situations (e.g. weather or manmade disasters, inclement weather) which require reporting to work assignment.
  • Assist others (e.g., other PSTs, supervisors, administrative staff) during emergency situations as necessary.
  • Enter and log incoming criminal warrants into the Records Management System and warrant log. Distribute the criminal warrants to the appropriate responsible agency(s) for service.
  • Monitor and process messages on the National Crime Information System (NCIC), Virginia Criminal Information System (VCIN). Process criminal warrants including entry, hit confirmations, locates and clearance.
  • Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor or administrative staff based on current workloads and department needs.

Requirements:

  • Must be at least 18 years old and have a High School Diploma or GED.
  • Must be a United States citizen or have been a lawful resident of the United States for the past 10 consecutive years.
  • Must be able to work any shifts and shift rotations (days/nights) including weekends and holidays and be available to work overtime when required to meet operational needs. “On Call” days are also required each month.
  • Successful Completion of skills testing, including passing written test requirements.
  • Pass criminal history and thorough background investigation.
  • Complete the Department of Criminal Justice Services Entry Level Dispatch Academy training program Manual dexterity to operate communication equipment including telephone equipment and multi-screen computer console.
  • Vision to operate communication equipment including telephone equipment and multi-screen computer console.
  • Hearing to respond to verbal requests for police, fire, or emergency medical services and for information from callers, co-workers, and supervisors, and to respond to alarms and signals, etc.
  • Positions within this class have been designated as “Essential” positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the County’s operational status and may be subject to immediate recall during major and/or emergency situations.