Job Details

Police Dispatcher

The City of Seward is recruiting for a Police Dispatcher. This position is responsible for receiving and responding to routine and emergency calls to the Dispatch Center and dispatching calls to multiple agencies, including Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and most City divisions Electric, Streets, Water/Wastewater, and Harbor Master in accordance with established Department policies and procedures.

Detailed Work Duties:

• Receives, relays, and transmits routine and emergency telephone calls to police, fire, EMS, and other public safety and public works agencies and units in a timely manner.
• Monitors and relays information on several radio frequencies to include police, fire, medical, and other public service entities: monitors alarms in various locations within the community and dispatches appropriate public safety units.
• Simultaneously monitors and relays information on multiple computer, radio, and phone systems.
• Maintains contact with and monitors status of field units.
• Prepares and maintains records and reports as required by local and state laws and the policies and procedures of the Center; maintains logs to record all communication traffic and messages received and relayed; records shift activities and incidents in Journal.
• Maintains confidentiality with all aspects of the job.
• Assists in the field training program for new employees.
• Assists the jail by conducting searches of prisoners when needed.
• Monitors and answers tests for Civil Defense Emergency Services; conducts tests locally for emergency preparedness of the City and outlying areas; receives earthquake and tsunami information; alerts City and outlying areas in the event of a disaster.
• Provides notary service for the public and documents for court.
• Must be willing and able to travel to attend training as required by the department.
• Provides effective and efficient customer service and promotes and maintains responsive community relations.
• Follows safe work practices.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Education/Experience: High school diploma or GED; supplemented by at least 1 year of experience in working with the public; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, skills and ability:

• Department policies and procedures.
• Standard operating procedures in an emergency communication center for law enforcement, fire service and emergency medical services.
• Computerized systems such as Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and 911 telephone systems and interfaces.
• Relevant Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations.
• Location of federal, state and county highways, and city streets within the City's geographical limits.
• Public relations.
• Oral and written communications.
• Responding to and handling emergency situations.
• Troubleshooting and problem solving.
• Use computers, relevant software programs and technology, and multi-line phone system to include Enhanced 911; operate standard office equipment.
• Communicate effectively, prepare and present oral and written reports; maintain accurate records.
• Respond to emergency situations and perform in psychologically adverse working conditions.
• Multi-task and prioritize work.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, administrators, other public safety personnel, and the general public.
• Must have ability, under reasonable conditions, to respond to Police Department within 20 minutes.
• Must be able to work shifts, holidays, and weekends as needed.
• Required to pass the selection process' written exam, in addition to a background investigation to determine suitability for police support work and the maintenance of confidential records.
• Drug test must be passed prior to employment.
• Must complete ICS 100, 200,700 and 800 within first 6 months of employment.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed mostly in an office setting; hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, the ability to adjust focus, and prolonged visual concentration. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally move up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions: The employee will be regularly exposed to dim or bright lighting, dust, prolonged sitting or standing.