Public Safety Telecommunicator Trainee

Passaic, NJ
Passaic Police Department

Position Summary:

Under close supervision as a trainee and productive worker, receives and responds to telephone or other electronic requests for emergency assistance including law enforcement, fire, medical, or other emergency services and/or dispatches appropriate units to response sites; does other related duties as required.

Essential Functions:

  • Receives telephone or other electronic requests for emergency assistance.
  • Learns to obtain, verify, and record location of emergency, name of caller, nature, severity, and current status of the emergency, and obtains any other appropriate information needed to secure a full assessment of the circumstances.
  • Learns to operate automatic number identification (ANI), automatic location information (ALI), telecommunications devices for the deaf (TTY/TDD), or other electronic devices to obtain and verify required
    data.
  • May be required to access foreign language interpreter service for non-English speaking callers.
  • Maintains a reassuring, calming manner with callers to obtain required information.
  • Persuades emergency callers to stay on the line.
  • In response to medical emergencies is trained in the provision of first aid or CPR instructions to stabilize the medical condition of persons until arrival of professional medical assistance.
  • In nonmedical emergencies may provide precautionary instructions and advice to help ensure the personal safety of persons and/or to minimize loss of property pending arrival of fire, police, or other assistance.
  • Refers nonemergency situations to other appropriate public or private agencies.
  • May dispatch nonemergency personnel or equipment.
  • Relays information or instructions to field units via radio or mobile data terminal.
  • Learns to utilize video display terminal or computer oriented or radio equipment to receive, monitor, record, summarize, and/or transmit data relating to the emergency.
  • Determines the appropriate type of agency(ies) to respond to the specific emergency or call for assistance.
  • Learns to utilize radio, telephone, and computerized or other electronic equipment to dispatch specific law enforcement, fire, or medical assistance units to the scene of an emergency based on preestablished response plans, and seeks guidance from supervisory personnel when circumstances warrant significant deviation from preestablished response plans.
  • As instructed, coordinates the dispatching of units involving two or more government jurisdictions.
  • May assist in maintaining and facilitating communication with responding units by receiving and relaying information including confidential information to authorized personnel.
  • Maintains a constant update on status of emergency units in the field and of on-call personnel.
  • May make entries, inquiries, cancellations, and modifications of records in various systems and databases such as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and State Crime Information Center (SCIC), Stolen Vehicle File, Stolen License Plate File, Stolen-Missing Gun File, Stolen Article File, Wanted Person File, Stolen or Embezzled or Counterfeited or Missing Securities File, Stolen Boat File, hazardous material databases, and hospital status files.
  • Receives training in the answering of telephone, radio, and video display inquiries of the NCIC and the SCIC for law enforcement agencies of the state.
  • Maintains and updates NCIC, SCIC, and other records and files.
  • Learns to maintain the official station record and/or the daily log of all incoming and outgoing communications.
  • Receives training in the activation of emergency alert systems such as bells, sirens, beepers, and tone-activated devices.
  • Prepares reports and statistical data.
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Requirements:

  • Appointees to positions at Public Safety Answering Points and at some Public Safety Dispatch Points must successfully complete training and obtain certification by the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services (OETS) in the Department of Law and Public Safety as required by NJAC 17:24- 2.2, during the trainee period.
  • Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.