Description

Dispatches law enforcement, fire, rescue and public works equipment and personnel in response to both emergency and nonemergency situations and disseminates information to the public and emergency services. Exceptional customer service skills must be exercised to assist a wide range of people. This position must maintain confidentiality. This work is fast-paced and diverse.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Processes 911 and non-emergency calls for all public safety and public works agencies.
• Performs call assessment, obtaining crucial and pertinent information, frequently from hysterical or irate callers; classifies and prioritizes problem, determines and coordinates appropriate response by emergency personnel and equipment.
• Provides necessary emergency medical dispatch instructions to callers’ experiencing medical crisis.
• Monitors public safety units and maintains status of each through the cad system to effectively coordinate response.
• Handles time-sensitive and confidential information, determining dissemination of the same.
• Operates various complex communications equipment such as the nationwide criminal information network (NCIC), 800mhz regional radio system, computer aided dispatch system, mapping system and telephone system.
• Sends receives, disseminates messages to and from other agencies through the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN)
• Receives, processes, and handles VCIN related task such as VCIN entries, modifications, clear/cancel records; assists in 2nd party cross checks of VCIN entries.
• Provides testimony in criminal court proceedings.
• Makes appropriate notifications, such as alarm notifications, wrecker service, etc., as requested by public safety responders.
• Works various assigned hours and shifts as required for continuous operation of the communications center including mandatory overtime.
• Maintains confidentially.
• Keeps in telephone contact with caller when situations dictate.
• Serves as communications training officer for new employees.
• Ensures center equipment is always operating properly and reports need repairs to the supervisor.
• Works with other outside agencies during large scale incidents to coordinate appropriate mutual aid responses.
• Performs related task as required.
• Accomplishes all tasks as appropriately assigned or requested by management. 
• Participates in employee meetings and training as needed.
• Performs special projects as assigned.
• Meets attendance requirements and maintains the highest level of dependability. 
• Consistently demonstrates ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner to meet current needs and reprioritizes work as necessary. 

Education/Experience/Certifications:

• At least 3 years’ recent experience as a Public Safety Communications Officer.
• Must possess a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license, proof of insurance required to drive on county business, and acceptable driving record. 
• Must have completed Basic Dispatch Academy and Communications Training.
• Must obtain VCIN/NCIC Certification.
• Must obtain EFD and EMD Certification.
• Must obtain completion of Communications Training Officer Course (CTO) and Officer In Charge (OIC) or other class of choice.
• Must successfully have completed IS100, IS 200, and IS 700 National Management (NIMS) training and FEMA's Professional Developmental Series.
• Preferred International Academies of Emergency Dispatch EMD/EFD or willing to obtain certification.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of the methods of operating the communications system
• Knowledge of radio and teletype procedures
• Knowledge of the geography of the County and location of important buildings
• Skill in typing accurately on a standard keyboard at a rate of no less than 30 wpm;
• Skill in effective communication, both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications related to the essential functions of the job.
• Ability to speak clearly; ability to hear/understand all audio communications systems (i.e. radio, telephone, etc.) within the confines of the communications center; capable of accurately viewing a computer screen (i. E. CAD, ANI/ALI, Teletype, Telephone, etc.) from a seated position as not to interfere with performing other essential duties;
• Ability to perform assigned duties daily with no deviation under extended high levels of stress.
• Ability to type at a reasonable rate of speed.
• Ability to speak distinctly; ability to operate all communications equipment.
• Ability to solve problems within scope of responsibility; ability to deal courteously with the public under stressful conditions.
• Ability to supervise the work of communications personnel.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a diverse professional team and / or independently.
• Ability to establish / maintain effective working relationships with employees, county officials, vendors, and the public. Strong quality and service minded.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. 

The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amounts of force frequently or constantly. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Standing for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Repetitive motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound.
• Visual acuity: Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading.

Environmental Factors:

Work is performed primarily indoors in a relatively safe and secure work environment. This position is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

Special/Additional Requirements:

Subject to a complete criminal history background search, drug screening, and psychological evaluation, with acceptable results. Subject to a hearing assessment in the form of an audiogram with satisfactory results that are in alignment with industry standard. 

Worker may be required to work beyond a normal schedule to include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime to meet the needs of the department. Variable shifts are required as dictated by the Centers staffing needs.

This position is designated as essential personnel. In accordance with the County's personnel policy, essential personnel are critical to the continuation of key operations and services and are expected to report to work, unless otherwise directed by management, in all weather conditions.

Summary