Public Safety Dispatcher I - City Of Reno : Job Details

Public Safety Dispatcher I

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Class Title

Public Safety Dispatcher I

Class Code

1126

Salary

$58,780.80 - $82,700.80 Annually

• Definition

• Benefits

Classification Description Summary

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, receives, evaluates, prioritizes, and dispatches public safety calls for service; responds to emergency and non-emergency calls in a timely and appropriate manner; and operates a variety of communication equipment including radio, telephone, telephony, TDD and multiple computer systems.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Public Safety Dispatch Trainee: This is the entry level class in the Public Safety Dispatch series. This class is distinguished from the Public Safety Dispatcher by the learning and performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Advancement to the Public Safety Dispatcher level is based on demonstrated proficiency in training performance for a range of assigned duties, and is at the discretion of higher level supervisory or management staff.

Essential Functions

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Receive, evaluate and prioritize emergency and non-emergency police, fire, medical, and rescue calls for service; determine nature, location and pertinent details of incidents and dispatching of field units to situations as necessary for multiple public safety agencies in the area.

• Operate a variety of emergency dispatch and communications equipment including a Next Generation E911 (NG911) telephony system, an 800 MHz radio system, a Public Safety Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and general office equipment; enter pertinent information regarding calls for service into various computer systems, according to established procedures and guidelines.

• Maintain awareness of field unit activities within the computer aided dispatch (CAD) and manual card systems; communicate with field units through radios in accordance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations; maintain status and location of units.

• Coordinate the receipt of both emergency and non-emergency calls and relay information and assistance with other law enforcement, fire, medical, and other emergency response agencies as required.

• Evaluate the nature and severity of the calling party's situation to assist in determining call priority and necessary responding equipment.

• Simultaneously respond to multiple emergencies on multiple radio channels from various public safety agencies, including law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services.

• Retrieve and enter information from local, state and federal computer networks regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other related information; relay information to field units.

• Maintain accurate and complete logs and records of all activities and calls that are received and dispatched.

• Perform a variety of functions related to public safety dispatch operations.

• Perform related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of :

Operations, services and activities of a public safety dispatch center.

Methods and techniques of public safety dispatching including the use of computer aided dispatch and manual card systems.

Streets, landmarks and geography of the City and surrounding areas.

Techniques of questioning for both emergency and non-emergency calls.

English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Principles and procedures of record keeping.

Public safety communications center procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Department policies and procedures.

Public safety related language and codes.

Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

Establish priority of emergency situations.

Effectively communicate and elicit information from upset, traumatized and irate callers.

Operate NG911, radio transmitting and computer aided dispatch systems.

Work under pressure, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations and with constant interruptions.

Respond calmly and effectively to emergency situations.

Analyze and interpret maps.

Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.

Type or enter data at a speed necessary for successful job performance.

Understand and follow verbal and written instructions.

Operate Public Safety related equipment including computers supporting data processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Interpret and apply federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations.

Work irregular work hours including weekends, evenings, nights and holidays.

Work in a team based environment to achieve common goals.

Coordinate multiple incidents and complex tasks simultaneously.

Meet the physical requirements to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training :

Completion of a high school diploma or equivalent.

Experience :

None

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein 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 to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in an emergency dispatch center type of office setting; exposure to unusual fatigue factors, irregular and unpredictable hours, and emergency or stressful situations; exposure to noisy distractions from simultaneous events while working on multiple computer systems and monitors while utilizing both a headset and telephone and/or telephony system for verbal communications; exposure to varying lighting conditions.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a public safety dispatch center type of office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate communications and office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including the use of multiple computer keyboards and telephone systems; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Please use this Health and Welfare Benefit Link ( to learn more about the City of Reno's great employee benefit plans and wellness programs.

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