Call-Taking and Initial Response Activities:

• Answers incoming 9-1-1 and non-emergency telephone calls for police, fire, ambulance, and/or other requests for assistance for Central Lane County area.
• Performs initial complaint screening by asking key questions, obtaining pertinent information from callers, clarifying information, provides information or instructions, refers caller to proper public resource or agency as appropriate, evaluates and prioritizes emergency calls and correct response. 
• Deals with a variety of incidents and callers, which may involve calming emotionally upset citizen, handling irate and abusive citizen calls, and assisting people who speak a different language or use the telecommunication device for the deaf. Transfers call or information to another agency if appropriate.
• Transmits informa­tion to a dispatcher when appropriate and completes comp­laint/dispatch forms.
• Provides pre-arrival emergency medical and incident assistance while waiting for dispatched unit(s) to arrive at incident scene. This includes using the emergency medical dispatch references (for incidents such as cardiac arrest, child birth, and Heimlich maneuver), and other crisis handling instructions (such as fire, threats to personal safety, property damage, and instruc­tions while incidents are in progress).
• Operates computer terminal equipment for entering and receiving data, checks departmental and other agency files for pertinent information as required, performs general clerical duties, including data entry, preparation of records, forms, and daily activity logs.

• Functions as fire/emergency medical services and/or police dispatcher using computer-aided (CAD) dispatching system and/or radio transmission to dis­patch routine and non-routine public safety assistance requests to ap­propriate channels, such as police, fire, medical personnel, and/or other appropriate agencies using a multi-line computerized phone system and radio control consoles.
• Determines appropriate personnel and resources to dispatch to incidents, may handle multiple and overlapping incidents at same time requiring the coordination of several emergency services units; and coordinates when more than one unit is required to respond to inci­dent. Dispatches for additional equipment as needed. 
• Works in team situation with call-taker or other dispatchers; receives information on emergencies dispatched to and from co-workers.
• Stays in contact with and monitors location of various police, fire and emergency units; maintains information and keeps current on activities of multiple units.
• Receives requests for information from law enforcement field units and uses various computerized and non-computerized reference tools to provide assis­tance; remains available as resource to dis­patched unit(s) througho­ut inci­dent.
• Receives and relays information to/from other public safety organizations; may coordinate mutual aid requests from adjoining jurisdictions.
• Notifies other service agencies such as road maintenance, public works, signal and light maintenance, animal control, as necessary.

• Transmits emergency bulletins via computer or teletype.
• Maintains accurate record of information and calls received or dispatched; records shift activities; 
• Maintains status of equipment; reports to shift Communications Supervisor needed radio, telephone or equipment repairs.
• Studies and maintains familiarity with major roads, streets, industrial plants, public buildings and the general geographic locations of cities, towns and landmarks of Lane County.
• Maintains familiarity with local resources and public services.
• Testifies in court as required.
• Briefs next dispatcher of previous shift activities.
• Attends scheduled in-service training.
• Performs other duties as required.
• To view detailed information on the duties, knowledge, and abilities that may be expected for this position, please see the classification:Communications Specialist - Temp