COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER

Nature of Work

The Communications Dispatcher is responsible technical and administrative work assisting with the operation and maintenance of the communications division for the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department. Activities associated with the job include serving law enforcement personnel with emergency communications, relaying calls for service to the appropriate agency, receiving 911 calls, gathering information and forwarding to the appropriate responders and serving as an NCIC entry operator. Additional activities include entering information into the NCIC Wanted Persons, Missing Persons and National Order of Protections Files as well as the TCIC Missing Children and State Order of Protection Files.

Incumbents also check active warrants for law enforcement personnel and the public when necessary and perform various administrative and record keeping duties as assigned. Job responsibilities require considerable training and certification in law enforcement communications, strong organizational, interpersonal and decision-making skills, dedicated attention to detail and experience working in emergency communications. Job performance is evaluated by the Chief of Support Services through review of the efficiency and effectiveness of job-related activities, level of support provided for patrol operations and emergency response activities, organizational, interpersonal and decision making skills and adherence to policies and procedures established for the communications division. Job activities are also subject to biannual NCIC audits.

Illustrative Examples of Work

-Operates a phone system that receives emergency and non-emergency calls including 911 transfers and TTD calls and ensures the accuracy and thoroughness of all information received.

-Operates a multi-channel radio console to dispatch and receive non-emergency and emergency transmissions.

-Interacts with other law enforcement and emergency communications agencies to obtain and relate information when necessary.

-Enters warrants into the NCIC Wanted Persons File and ExParte/Order of Protection into the National Order of Protection File.

-Enters vehicles into the NCIC Vehicle File and stolen articles into the NCIC Article File.

-Enters missing persons into the NCIC Missing Persons File and missing children into the Missing Children of Tennessee File.

-Monitors the Weather Channel, Local/National/World news and the NOAA weather radio on a continuous basis.

-Operates a multi-function computer that assists with computer aided dispatch, NCIC, mapping and 911 operations.

-Maintains the location of each Patrol unit and promptly dispatches units in response to calls for service.

-Cooperates with local, state and federal agencies in the development and implementation of joint programs and operations related to communications activities.

-Performs related duties as required.

Necessary Requirements of Work

Graduation from an accredited high school supplemented with coursework and training in the principles and practices associated with modern communications equipment and administration, criminal justice, law enforcement or closely related field; strong organizational, interpersonal and decision making skills; ability to communicate effectively and react quickly and calmly to emergency and/or stressful situations; or any equivalent combination of education and experience to provide the following knowledge, abilities and skills:

-Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of modern communications equipment, organization, administration and methods.

-Considerable knowledge radio protocols, NCIC/TCIC procedures and E911 policies and procedures.

-Considerable knowledge of the functions and organization of other emergency response agencies involved in the operation of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Communications Division.

-Considerable knowledge of policies and procedures pertaining to the storage, maintenance and dissemination of sensitive legal information as established by the TBI and FBI.

-Considerable knowledge of the Putnam County Sheriff’s department policies and procedures, TBI data collection, reporting guidelines and NCIC/TCIC guidelines.

-Considerable knowledge of the geographical areas, jurisdictional boundaries and zone locations of Putnam County.

-Considerable knowledge of police, fire and medical codes as used by the agencies that the communication center dispatches.

-Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and ordinances pertaining to employee health and safety.

-Knowledge of legal documents including warrants, arrest, incident, and accident reports, writs, and civil papers used in sessions, civil, and criminal court proceedings.

-Knowledge of Reverse 911 activation procedures and NOAA radio procedures.

-Knowledge of FCC regulations pertaining to electronic communications.

-Some knowledge of applicable TCA codes pertaining to civil and criminal law.

-Ability to plan and organize job related activities and ensure compliance with all established reporting requirement and deadlines.

-Ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy when dealing with very detailed and sensitive information.

-Ability to speak clearly and distinctly at all times and reduce rambling and disconnected material into concise and accurate messages in a tactful and polite manner.

-Ability to maintain detailed and confidential information in an organized and accessible manner.

-Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with court officials, attorneys, co-workers, law enforcement personnel and the public.

-Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations, analyze the situation accurately and determine the proper course of action(s) to be taken in response.

-Ability to effectively interpret and explain pertinent provisions of the rules and regulations of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department.

-Ability to make appropriate job-related decisions within established state and local regulations and departmental policies and procedures in a timely manner.

-Ability to acquire and utilize new job-related information when necessary.

-Skill in the operation of modern communications equipment including computer terminals and keyboards, multi-line phone systems, radio communications devices and mapping and 911applications.

Necessary Special Requirements

-All Sheriff Department personnel are required to maintain the highest standards of integrity, honesty and ethical behavior and always conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner whether or not they are performing job related duties.

-Must be at least 18 years of age.

-Certification by a qualified professional in the psychiatric or psychological fields as free of all apparent mental disorders as described in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association.

-Certification by a licensed physician designated by the agency as physically capable of performing necessary duties.

-Fingerprints must be on file with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

-Must be a United States citizen.

-Can not have been convicted or plead guilty or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge or to any violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substances.

-Can not have been released or discharged under any other than honorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.

-Possession of a valid Tennessee Drivers license.

-APCO Certification.

-NCIC Basic Operator Certification.

-EMD Certification.

-EFD Certification.

-CPR Certification.

Putnam County Government FLSA – Non– Exempt

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $38,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• Holidays
• Night shift
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Dispatching: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: In person