Telecommunicator

Kings Mountain, NC
Kings Mountain Police Department

Salary: $17.94/hr.

Position Summary:

An employee in this class receives incoming routine and emergency public safety calls, dispatches proper personnel for assistance, and maintains contact with public safety units. Employees also utilize computer-aided dispatch to receive and dispatch calls, and enter disposition of calls, maintain a variety of manual logs, and assist the public with various information. Work involves frequent public contact which requires tact, firmness and decisiveness in obtaining necessary information from people who are under extreme stress. Work is performed in accordance with departmental policy and state and federal law, supplemented with specific directions from sworn personnel. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated through observation, discussion and feedback from officers in the field.

Essential Functions:

  • Receives routine and emergency telephone calls and personal requests for assistance on multiple lines concerning crimes, fires, public utilities, or general information; obtains needed information concerning nature of problem; dispatches police calls; pages after hours utilities staff; transfers other emergency and non-emergency calls to proper location.
  • Performs customer service work for the Police Department assisting visitors with information, procedures, obtaining accident reports and other needs.
  • Operates emergency equipment to maintain contact with public safety personnel; dispatches staff to answer requests for assistance and emergency incidents; receives and transmits information and messages; tracks police and fire staff for safety and location.
  • Operates Division of Criminal Information (DCI) terminal to send and receive messages and research information regarding criminal histories, vehicle identification, and crimes.
  • Maintains an in-house computer database and communications logs and reports including the nature of calls, actions taken and the times involved; maintains a variety of manual logs of information regarding fuel, vehicle usage, community service, citation books, animal control activities, lost and found, etc..
  • Provides information to the public over the telephone and in person concerning a variety of city services; provide copies of accident and other appropriate reports to the public.
  • Updates CAD records with new addresses, businesses, and other information.
  • Type records, reports and otherwise assist other departmental staff; maintain a variety of records, logs, data, etc.; perform data entry to update data files.

Requirements:

  • Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, reaching, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking and hearing.
  • Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally; and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.
  • Must possess the visual acuity to operate computer equipment, and to maintain and review manual written records.
  • Certification or the ability to obtain certification by the State of North Carolina as a DCI Operator within three months of appointment to this classification.

Preferred Requirements:

  • Graduation from high school and some related communications, dispatching or reception work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.