PS Telecommunicator II

Posting number: 995283

Department: Police Department

Job classification: PST II

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Safety, Telecommunications, Fire & EMS, Dispatch, 911 Telecommunications, Communications

Summary

The fundamental purpose of this position is to receive all incoming calls for Police and Fire assistance and dispatch necessary units to calls, utilizing Computer Aided Dispatch software. This position will also perform a variety of general support duties related to the operation of the communications center. This position reports to a Public Safety Supervisor.

Examples of duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Answer 9-1-1 and non-emergency lines.
2. Distinguish between emergency/non-emergency calls, effectively prioritize calls for service.
3. Determine nature and location of emergency, determine priorities, and enter call for Police and/or Fire.
4. Dispatch necessary units, transfer call to or notify EMS.
5. Process complaints and make appropriate referrals on a wide variety of public safety matters that often require referring to or memorizing detailed reference materials and standard operating procedures, including databases, maps, telephone listings, and other resources.
6. Summarize critical information for public safety first responders in the computer aided dispatch system using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and refer and classify calls for police and fire assistance according to the level of response required.
7. Provide administrative public safety information, such as, but not limited to, how to file accident reports, report a crime, find a towed car, etc.
8. Maintain radio contact with all units on duty.
9. Allocates resources appropriately as the need arises by applying appropriate decision-making rules and approved protocols.
10. Notify units of all changes to incident priority, enter and update in the narrative of the incident with all additional information received regarding incident.
11. Access and operate multiple computer systems, including local and state database systems to verify information; to locate existing or prior warrants, protective or other orders and/or officer safety information and effectively communicate this information to officers; and the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS/Open Fox) system, including, but not limited to, persons, vehicles, drivers, guns, articles and Computerized Criminal Histories files to query, enter, modify, clear and cancel data.
12. Compose and/or send various teletypes or comprehend and process correctly those received.
13. Set off sirens and send alerts in inclement weather.
14. Must enter and clear stolen/wanted persons or items from computer system.
15. Must monitor several public safety radio frequencies.
16. Record tow offs to prevent inaccurate stolen vehicle reports.
17. Must monitor CCTV security cameras.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Filing, faxing, emailing warrant confirmations and other documents.
2. Training new employees.
3. Performing second party checks on co-worker entries.
4. Assist other dispatchers as necessary and when not occupied with primary duties or if occupied with duties of lower priority.
5. Performs other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

1. Must be able to listen effectively, exercise good judgment and sound decisions in emergency situations, must be able to hear alarms and other auditory warning devices, must be able to operate a visual display terminal for extended periods of time.
2. Must be able to accurately enter calls into CAD system, even minor typographical/clerical errors can lead to possible loss of life, improper arrest, erroneous release of a violent offender, etc.
3. Must learn geographic features and streets of the City of Tyler, Smith County and surrounding counties.
4. Must be able to type at a speed necessary for adequate job performance, must be able to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
5. Must be able to comprehend and make inferences from written material. Must be able to sit for long periods of time, communicate clearly and effectively with and elicit information from upset and/or irate citizens.
6. Must be able to handle simultaneous events effectively.
7. Must be able to operate a computer aided dispatch system, computer systems, and other office equipment quickly and accurately.
8. Must have normal hearing of 25 dbs or less at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz and 3000 Hz as defined by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI, 1969).Must be able to read, write, and speak English language.
9. Must be able to sit indoors for prolong periods of time.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

1. High School Diploma or GED required.
2. Must be able to type 35 WPM (net). Proof of the 35 WPM typing requirement can be obtained from: CritiCall Public-Safety Dispatcher Pre-Employment testing. The date of the CritiCall typing evaluation must be dated within the last year.
3. Obtain TCOLE license within one year of employment.

SELECTION PROCESS STEPS*

Medical Test / Work Fitness – Medical examination performed by a licensed physician. The physician must also be able to certify that the applicant is free of drug dependency or illegal drug usage.

Psychological Examination – Applicants will be required to take and pass a Psychological Examination consisting of both a written examination and clinical interview with a licensed psychologist.

Background Investigation – Applicant will be required to complete a Personal History Statement and appropriate releases and paperwork to initiate a background investigation.

Polygraph Examination – A polygraph examination will be administered as a part of the background investigation. The test will include investigation of the applicant's work history; driving history; military history and involvement in criminal activities such as employment thefts and drug usage.

Background and Polygraph will take approximately 4 weeks to complete.

Critical Test – Applicant will be tested on their ability to multi-task, listening comprehension, data entry, map reading, and typing speed skills and abilities.

Observation Period – Applicant will be required to complete a four (4) hour observation period, in which they observe a tele-communicators daily tasks and responsibilities. This gives the applicant an opportunity to learn more about the job and ask questions.

The selection process should take approximately 6 weeks.

An applicant who fails to successfully complete any of the required tests or is determined to be unemployable during the background investigation may be restricted from reapplying for the position for a period of time at the discretion of the Chief of Police. An applicant who is disqualified on the basis of a Texas Commission of Law Enforcement (TCOLE) regulation may be restricted from re-applying for the position indefinitely.

Supplemental information

It is the policy of the City to recruit, employ and to provide compensation, promotion, and other conditions of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information or status as a Vietnam era or special disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, and other protected veteran. The City affirms that employment decisions shall be made only on the basis of a person's ability to perform the essential functions of the job. This position does require presence in the office to perform the essential functions of the job. The City shall continually review its employment practices and personnel procedures and take positive steps to assure that equality of employment opportunity in the City of Tyler, Texas is a fact as well as an ideal.

The City of Tyler will accept two years of relevant experience in place of each year of college required in the job description. Four years of relevant experience will be considered in place of an Associate's Degree, and eight years of relevant experience will be considered in place of a Bachelor's Degree. Any experience required in the Minimum qualifications is in addition to years of experience substituted for a degree.

The City of Tyler supports a policy of a drug and alcohol free workplace. All candidates are subject to pre-employment testing, which may include, but is not limited to, Drug and Alcohol Screenings, Work Fitness Evaluation, Criminal Background Check, and Consumer Report/Credit Check.

No person under eighteen (18) years of age will be employed in any regular full-time position. Persons under eighteen (18) years of age may be employed in temporary or regular part-time positions, if they furnish the City with a minor's release(Form 2-2) and are approved by the City Manager. No person under eighteen (18) years of age will be employed in any position requiring the operation of a City motorized vehicle.