Lateral - Emergency Communications Dispatcher I

This position is for current or recently employed dispatchers. If you do not have emergency communications dispatch experience, please apply to this job posting instead.

This role will dispatch public safety resources, and transmit messages and general information for either police, fire, or other public safety and city government organizations.

Employees may receive some materials containing graphic or emotionally distressing content. Employees must be able to process such information calmly and maintain professional composure while coordinating emergency response.

EXAMPLES OF JOB FUNCTIONS

This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.

• Dispatches emergency services for either Police, Fire, or other government resources to provide appropriate assistance to the public and public safety partners via various communications such as radio, computer equipment, and the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system.
• Maintains contact with field units to ensure safety and efficiency; inform field personnel of the status of the situation and receive and maintain field unit’s status and location at appropriate times; respond to units’ calls and transmissions appropriately.
• Assists field units with requests and inquiries, including system query responses.
• Retrieves information from state and national crime information systems and processes queries in the computerized crime information system.
• Enter and update a variety of detailed information into the computer terminal including the nature and location of calls received and premise histories; prepare and maintain various logs, listings, schedules and files; may testify in court.
• Answer, prioritize, and route incoming telephone calls and text messages for emergency and non-emergency services.
• Guides and mentors newer employees. Acts as a support and resource in daily operations as new employees gain hands-on experience.
• Triages incidents using established policy and procedures.
• Performs related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Lateral Entry Requirements:

• Experience: One year of continuous experience (full-time or equivalent hours) and employed within the last eighteen months as an emergency communications dispatcher, to include either fire or law enforcement dispatch, and utilizing a Computer Aided Dispatch System.

Background Check:

• All applicants are subject to a thorough background investigation, including but not limited to criminal history.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Individuals in this classification must obtain and maintain all required certifications in approved emergency communications protocols and software to include: the Washington State Public Safety Telecommunicator certification, ACCESS II certification, CPR, and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD). Certification and training is provided by the City of Spokane.

Please click "apply" to view the Civil Service examination details on the official job posting

BENEFITS

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• AFLAC
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Legal Shield/ID Shield
• Pet Insurance
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status or disability status. As a Fair Chance employer, City of Spokane does not conduct initial background screening for non-public safety positions.