Job Details

Salary: $28.00 - $44.54 Hourly
Location : Alaska 99701, AK
Job Type: Part-time
Job Number: 2025-2000
Department: Dispatch
Opening Date: 01/13/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Job Summary

*This is a part time position under the State of Alaska PERS Regulations. The selected employee will work (less than 30 hours per week) and will not be eligible for paid personal leave, holiday pay, or other benefits. To compensate the lack of benefits the City pays 15% above the contracted rate.*

This position is that of an Emergency Services Call Taker in a primary public safety answering point (PSAP). This position is performed under both direct supervision and indirect supervision. The position is responsible for simultaneously answering multi-line telephones, including 911, while maintaining computer aided dispatch (CAD) systems and other computer applications. Receives, coordinates, and disseminates critical information from various sources. On occasion it provides updates to emergency personnel utilizing multi-channel radio. This position works in the Fairbanks Emergency Communications Center located in the police station. This position is bargained through PSEA and reports to the Emergency Center Manager.
Essential Job Functions / Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Essential Job Functions:

• Responsible for providing customers and the public with a wide variety of services relating to public safety matters.
• The Department Head or designee will determine work priorities and job assignments as required by the Department.
• Processes initial paperwork for case management through information received from Police Officers and dispatch.
• Involves contact with the public either by phone, in writing, or in person and requires considerable amounts of tact, patience, and diplomacy.
• Work requires the sincere desire to provide quality serves to the public and to resolve customer's problems in an expeditious and courteous manner.
• Occasionally, the employee is subject to mental pressure caused by irate clients who may use abusive language. The employee must remain calm and courteous to client and customers, regardless of the situation.
• Full performance in the job requires a complete understanding of policies, regulations, as well as a complete understanding of public relations.
• Work performance is evaluated for the quantity and quality of service provided to the department's mission of protecting and servicing the public.
• Operates enhanced 911 telephone system with multi-screen controls; answers emergency and non-emergency calls for service; determines locations and nature of call; provides emergency instructions; obtains and records vital information.
• Operates NCIC / APSIN databases to retrieve and disseminate information necessary to conduct Public Safety operations.
• Performs general office duties, to include faxing, copying, filing, shredding, scanning, and email correspondence.
• Reads / interprets maps for the field personnel to assist in locating certain geographic areas using and Alaska State, city, and borough maps by applying knowledge of the road system and geography to provide appropriate and timely assistance.
• Initiates CAD entries regarding calls for service, creating the foundation of reporting, utilizes CAD to research historical incidents and notifications, providing information and increased responder safety.

The above examples are representative of assignments performed by this class are not intended to be all inclusive.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Candidates hired must satisfactorily demonstrate these factors during a prescribed probationary period for continued employment.

• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and effective manner, using simple language and organizing ideas logically, both in speaking and in writing.
• Ability to view multiple screens and utilize multiple input / output devices such as keyboards and mice to perform the dispatch functions.
• Effective decision-making / problem-solving skills based on a limited amount of information in crisis or emergency situations.
• Skilled use of modern office equipment (e.g. various keyboards, multi-line telephone systems, photocopiers, radio devices, fax machines, shredders, ect.).
• Recognize and monitor communications equipment problems and notify appropriate personnel for repair.
• Type at 50 words per minute.
• Operate computer aided dispatch (CAD) equipment.
• Ability to establish, develop, and maintain courteous and effective working relationships.
• Accept and apply constructive criticism and critiques.
• Maintain emotional control and work effectively during emergencies, crisis situations, or extremely stressful conditions.
• Consistently speak in a clear, well-modulated voice.
• Memorize, retain, and accurately recall information and codes.
• Multi-task, organize, prioritize, and adapt to constantly changing situations and effectively take appropriate action within Fairbanks Emergency Communications Center policies and procedures.
• Read, understand, and interpret moderately difficult to complex written information (e.g. policies, procedures, rules, regulations, statutes, ect.).
• Understand verbal instructions in the use of specialized equipment.
• Work independently with minimal supervision, exercising good judgement in the safeguarding of confidential or sensitive information.
• Perform detailed work with a high degree of accuracy, at times during stressful situations.
• Accurately understand various transmissions, (e.g. telephone, radio, ect.) and transcribe information (e.g. numbers, letters, names, and facts) from one source to another in a timely manner.
• Effectively interpret a variety of maps and dispatch information to dispatch personnel.
• Accurately interpret and follow Department policies and procedures.
• Work within deadlines to complete assignments.
• Interact with visitors in person in a courteous, professional, and effective manner.
• Develop, lead, and participate in a team environment.
• Successfully complete training program.
• Obtain security clearance to operate APSIN (Alaska Public Safety Information Network).
• Ability to obtain and maintain cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.
• Ability to work within a 24 hour / 7 day emergency dispatch center operation setting.
• Ability to work shift work, which may include working on holidays, irregular hours, and overtime with possible extension of shift hours at times with short notice.
• Work within a confined area with limited mobility.
• Work extended periods of time with limited breaks during peak call loads or extreme emergencies.
• Perform work using a headset with microphone.
• Requires sufficient hearing to listen to telephone and radio transmissions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be a US Citizen
• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• One year of clerical, customer service, public contact experience, or related education.
• Minimum typing speed of 50 words per minute with a maximum of 4 errors.
• Obtain and maintain a security clearance for access to the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) systems.
• Must be able to pass a background investigation.

Applicants may be referred for drug testing as part of the screening process. The Fairbanks Emergency Communications Center is a drug-free workplace. Illicit drug use, to include the use of marijuana, will exclude an otherwise eligible candidate from hire.
Work Environment and Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light objects and uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.
• The work is typically performed in a communications center, a large open room containing multiple workstations.

In addition to the typical sensory requirements of working in the environment:

• Job duties require a visual acuity and field of vision that allows for the clarity and sharpness of vision necessary to read and enter data in both print and electronic forms on a variety of interfaces.
• Job duties require the ability to communicate orally and speak clearly and effectively.
• Hearing must follow the National Emergency Number Association's (NENA) Hearing Standards for Public Safety Telecommunicators.
• Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals.

The City of Fairbanks is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please notify us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform the job duties listed above.