Title: Sheriff Dispatcher I

Department: Sheriff’s Office

Type: Fulltime/Benefits

Salary Range: Grade 61

Starting salary based on qualifications and experience.

Location: Lexington

General Statement of Duties

Performs responsible technical work on an assigned shift dispatching law enforcement personnel and equipment usually in response to emergency situations.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class is responsible for answering emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from the public, assisting visitors and dispatching law enforcement. The primary duty of this position is to monitor safety for all law enforcement personnel in the field. Work generally requires the employee to deal courteously with the public under stressful conditions. Guides may include standard operating procedures, training and procedural manuals, ordinances, and departmental policies and procedures. Work is performed under general supervision of the Sheriff Major.

Illustrative Examples of Work

- Answers emergency and non-emergency telephone calls; prioritizes calls; obtains detailed information, including directions and types information into computer.

- Operates radios to relay information to the proper law enforcement personnel with the appropriate procedures; primary contact for law enforcement personnel.

- Monitors the location and status of law enforcement officials in the field to ensure safety.

- Uses Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer network systems to provide officers with information on warrants, driver licenses, license plates, stolen items, wanted/missing persons, criminal history background, etc.

- Enters data from warrants/orders into computer and/or notifies other agencies when papers have been served.

- Ensures that Deputies perform property checks at the request of property owners.

- Dispatches wrecker companies as requested.

- Performs other related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

- Comprehensive knowledge of the methods and procedures for operating the communications system; ability to operate radio, communications equipment and computer-aided dispatch terminals.

- Comprehensive knowledge of Federal and State regulations governing transmission by radio.

- Comprehensive knowledge of radio code system and teletype procedures.

- Comprehensive knowledge of the geography of the County and location of landmarks.

- Ability to type at a reasonable rate of speed.

- Skill in making decisions accurately and rapidly.

- Ability to deal courteously with the public under stressful conditions.

- Ability to maintain NC State Telecommunicator Certification.

Physical Requirements

- Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of stooping, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.

- Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

- Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, perform transcription, operate a computer terminal, perform extensive reading and inspect small defects or parts and operation or inspection of machines.

- Worker is required to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of work assigned.

- Worker is subject to inside environmental conditions; protection from weather conditions by not necessarily from temperature changes.

- Worker is in contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids during the performance of his/her duties.

Education and Experience

- Graduation from high school and some communications experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses and Certifications

- Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license is required.

- Possession of NC Telecommunicator and Division of Criminal Information (DCI) certifications required.