Dispatcher

PLEASE NOTE: YOU *MUST* SUBMIT A CITY OF PALMETTO POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION. Employment applications may be printed from the Toolbox Download Application or picked up at the City of Palmetto Human Resource Dept., 516 8th Ave. W. Palmetto, Fl. 34221.

The purpose of this class within the organization is to respond to and dispatch daily 911 emergency and non-emergency calls to ensure the safety of the general public.

This class works under close to general supervision according to set procedures but determines how or when to complete tasks.

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this job/class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job/class as necessary.

Essential Functions:

Works in the Administrative Bureau, under the supervision of the Dispatch Supervisor.

Responds to, transfers, and prioritizes daily 911 emergency and non-emergency calls; communicates with police officers via radio system.

Collects and verifies pertinent information via CAD screens for police officers’ safety and creates traffic stops or other priority actions for each situation.

Completes and processes all FCIC data in the FCIC/NCIC system; sends alert notifications such as a BOLO for missing persons, stolen items, wanted suspects, and any other routine messages for other agencies. Enters missing persons and items in the FCIC/NCIC system and validates information for audit purposes.

Handles after-hours service requests from various departments and companies such as Public Works/Water, wires down for FPL, cable, and phone.

Provides information to patrons that visit the Police Department.

Attends and participates in communications training by the Dispatch Supervisor.

Maintains dispatch records including but not limited to tow logs, private property impounds, criminal history log, patrol requests, trespass log, vehicle inventory logs, and subpoena books.

Communicates with outside resources and agencies when needed.

Performs related work as assigned.

Responsibilities, Requirements, and Impacts:

Collects and classifies information to facilitate the identification and extraction of useful information. Verifies and confirms information to enter accurate details in the system.

People Responsibility:

Provides information, guidance, or assistance to people that directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give instructions or assignments to helpers or assistants.

Asset Responsibility:

Requires some responsibility for achieving minor economies and/or preventing minor losses through the handling of or accounting for materials and supplies.

Communications Requirements:

Reads routine sentences, instructions, regulations, procedures or work orders; writes routine sentences and completes routine job forms and incident reports; speaks routine sentences using proper grammar. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing that includes grammar, spelling, and conciseness.

Judgment Requirements:

Must be able to think and act under pressure and multitask. Must be able to prioritize calls for service and unit assignments.

The complexity of Work:

Performs skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem solving; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure.

Impact of Errors:

The impact of errors is extremely serious - affects entire organization and impacts other activities/organizations and the general public.

Physical Demands:

Performs sedentary work that involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time; requires little or no dexterity.

Equipment Usage:

Handles or uses office machines, tools, equipment or work aids involving moderate latitude for judgment regarding attainment of a standard or in selecting appropriate items.

Safety of Others: (Does not include safety of subordinates).

Requires considerable responsibility for the safety and health of others and/or continuous enforcement of the laws and standards of public health and safety.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Requires High School Diploma or GED equivalent supplemented by specialized courses/training equivalent to completion of one year of college in emergency communications or a closely related field.
• Experience as an emergency communicator or 911 dispatcher (or closely related experience) preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing that includes grammar, spelling, and conciseness.
• Bilingual skills preferred.
• No felony convictions. Level II background check required.

Special Certifications and Licenses:

• Ability to obtain Florida 911 Telecommunication Certification within one year of employment.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance:

The City of Palmetto is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S. C. 12101 et. seq.), the City of Palmetto will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

***Please Note: This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.