Description

A Telecommunicator works under the general supervision of the Communications Shift Supervisor and is responsible for answering 9-1-1 telephone lines, dispatching public safety personnel and equipment, and recording and relaying sensitive information that may involve life and death situations. 

• Receives emergency and non-emergency calls including enhanced 9-1-1, TDD, text, and administrative and private line telephone calls.
• Communicates effectively with citizens and the agencies' personnel with which we interact.
• Answers and evaluates incoming calls for police, fire, or emergency medical services.
• Collects pertinent details and determines the priority of the call, sometimes within a few seconds of the conversation, and decides whether units should be dispatched.
• Hears and comprehends radio communication, even in adverse conditions, including but not limited to the outside noise at the scene where the unit is, background noise at the dispatch location, radio interference from outside sources, and field personnel not speaking clearly or loudly.
• Accurately recalls details and procedures and applies them instantly in emergency situations.
• Dispatches all calls to the appropriate police and/or fire units via radio and coordinates responding backup units if necessary.
• Monitors radio frequencies and LINK/NCIC computers for significant activities.
• Using a computer or written log, document the nature of each call received, which unit(s) responded, the action taken, and the disposition of the call.
• Asks vital questions and directs callers with pre-arrival instructions to involved parties of police, fire, and medical emergencies.
• Assess callers to interpret, analyze, and anticipate situations to resolve problems, provide information, dispatch emergency services, or refer callers to other agencies.
• Responds to non-emergency inquiries from the public by providing such information as phone numbers and local department information appropriate to their need, general information regarding traffic tickets, incidents, and accident reports, and the responsible officer.
• Provides various notifications to public safety agencies, businesses, and citizens, such as providing information on accident victims, arrested persons, alarm activations, etc.
• Verifies, enters, updates, and/or deletes the following kinds of information into the LINK/NCIC systems: missing persons or runaways; stolen, recovered, and/or abandoned vehicles.
• Assists police officers in retrieving information from the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and LINK/NCIC systems; e.g., a subject’s personal information, description, present/last known address, vehicle, any prior incidents or contacts with police officers, and criminal history.
• Retrieves and disseminates a variety of information to police, fire, and EMS personnel; such as warrants, stolen vehicles, complaint information, officer activity, fire activity, alarms, key holders, cross street information, etc.
• Accurately and effectively makes LINK/NCIC entries.
• Provides notifications, as needed, to utilities or other agencies; such as Paducah Power, FAA, EPA, railroads, etc.
• May testify in court as required regarding decisions made and actions taken.
• Participate in training less experienced dispatchers in the proper operation of technical systems and performing other job tasks.
• Activate monthly warning siren tests as directed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Must be 18 years of age.
A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
Basic computer and data entry skills are required; experience working with the public, customer service, school activities, volunteer work, or office support is preferred.

• Must have 20/20 corrected vision; must be able to hear speech from both ears in the normal range of 30 DB at 500 to 2000 Hz range.
• Must be able to speak and communicate clearly over telephones and radio.
• Must be capable of activating radio and phone systems utilizing buttons and switches.
• Must be able to type a minimum of 30 words per minute.
• Must be able to input data via the keyboard.
• The ability to maintain confidentiality is a must.
• Must be able to work days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be able to work overtime to maintain proper staffing levels.
• Must be able to function individually and as a team member.
• Must have the ability to handle multiple tasks at one time and remain calm in a sometimes stressful environment.