What are the responsibilities and job description for the Emergency Communications Specialist position at Douglas County, NV?
DESCRIPTION
**Applications are reviewed regularly. Postings may close prior to the listed date. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately.**
Douglas County Emergency Management is seeking individuals with a desire to serve their community in a critical public safety role by providing key communications support for law enforcement and first responders across multiple partner agencies in our region. Emergency Communications Specialists, also referred to as "dispatchers", and known as “the first, first responder” are often the first trained point of contact in an emergency. They begin the important work of obtaining essential information and sending the appropriate responders to the proper location. They may also provide instructions to the 9-1-1 caller, which in many cases is essential to stabilizing or saving a life.
Requiring sound judgment, attention to detail, and professional customer service, dispatchers are responsible for performing quick, efficient, and accurate dispatching of calls and messages with public safety units and personnel in the field. The right candidates for these positions will demonstrate composure under pressure, strong communication skills, and a commitment to success through teamwork. If you are looking for a fulfilling career that has a positive impact on our community, the Emergency Communications Specialist could be the perfect opportunity.
This is full-time shift work in an Emergency Communications Center, which operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Employees in this position can expect to rotate through a variety of shifts including days, swings, nights, holidays and weekends. Shifts are typically 8 or 10 hours in duration. During the typical 6-8-month training period, trainees will work alongside different trainers during each training phase and work varying shifts in accordance with their trainer's assigned shift.
Primary Objectives
Performs intermediate work processing emergency (9-1-1) and non-emergency calls for Douglas County, NV and Alpine County, CA while providing appropriate lifesaving instructions; dispatching the appropriate law enforcement, fire department, and emergency medical service resources via two-way radio while checking local, state, and federal databases for responder safety information; performs related tasks as apparent or assigned.
This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to random and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.
Supervision Exercised
None
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides public safety communication services for emergency and non-emergency purposes for various agencies such as Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, East Fork Fire Protection District, Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District, Washoe Tribal Police, and Alpine County’s Sheriff, Fire and Medical services; takes emergency and non-emergency calls for animal control and general improvement districts and other utilities; keeps track of a wide variety of public safety responders, resources, personnel, incidents and trends.
- Works a rotating schedule that may include day, swing, and graveyard shifts, weekends, and holidays, as assigned, to ensure 24-hour coverage and continuous operation of the facility. Adjusts to changes in shift assignments based on operational needs.
- Receives, screens, and takes appropriate action on all emergency service calls to include 911 calls from the public requesting law enforcement, fire and EMS; determines nature and location of emergency, determines priority, dispatches emergency responders/units as necessary in accordance with established department policies and procedures; relays pertinent information to law enforcement and emergency services officers in a concise, organized and understandable manner.
- Enters emergency assistance call information into the computer-aided dispatch (CAD); determines location of call; inputs information into the NCJIS and NCIC systems; enters data for reports and records, processes forms and record files; queries system databases as requested; maintains records and files in accordance with established standards.
- Provides information, instructions and assistance to the public within scope of authority; provides detailed call information to first responders as needed; maintains status and awareness of unit locations; monitors message traffic and relays information as required.
- Receives and relays information regarding incidents and other activities to appropriate agencies and staff.
- Notifies key County staff on critical incidents; follows all Department policies and procedures to assure that first responder and public safety is the top priority; contacts other law enforcement and emergency services agencies for additional information and resources as needed.
- Performs inquiries and criminal history checks for law enforcement staff through NCIC and NCJIS systems; collects statistical data for reports; updates and ensures the accuracy of database.
- Receives and processes non-emergency calls; interviews callers and gathers information, prioritizes calls for service, and determines appropriate staff to respond; dispatches emergency responders if appropriate; transfers calls as appropriate.
- Deals with sensitive information in a discrete and professional manner ensuring confidentiality; maintains a positive customer service attitude at all times with the public, user agencies, co-workers and supervisors.
- Assists in the development and training of staff; attends in-service sessions as required.
- Participates in the Quality Assurance Program as required by reviewing medical and fire calls for service compliance to IAED and Douglas County standards; provides leadership, training and updates to team members as required.
- May use County vehicle to perform various tasks related to job duties.
- Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.
- Contributes effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives, and activities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- High School diploma or GED and two (2) years of customer service or general full-time work experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- Valid Driver’s License
- Satisfactory completion of Basic ECS Training Program within 12 months of date of employment.
- Must obtain the following certificates, licenses, and registrations within 12 months of date of employment (training is provided by the department)
- International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (Emergency Fire Dispatch, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Emergency Police Dispatch courses)
- Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Communications Training Officer program
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
- Tactical Dispatcher
- National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
- Nevada Criminal Justice System (NCJIS)
WORKING CONDITIONS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
WORKING CONDITIONS
The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands, physical agility, sensory requirements, and environmental exposures required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
- This work requires the regular exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force.
- Work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands; occasionally requires standing and walking.
- Work requires close vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to receive detailed information through oral communication and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
- Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts and observing general surroundings and activities.
- Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
- Work has no exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
- Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
- Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background/screening.
- Douglas County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.
- This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the incumbent. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.
Douglas County provides benefits to full-time employees. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees working 20–29 hours per week. Part-time employees working 19 hours or less, as well as on-call employees, are not eligible for benefits.
No Nevada State income tax.
Retirement – Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada (PERS)
Douglas County contributes 36.75% of an eligible regular member and 50% of an eligible Police and Fire member's salary for retirement.
Deferred Compensation Plans – Employees have the option to participate in a deferred compensation program through VOYA, which is funded by the employee.
- Vacation: Accrued at the rate of 4.6154 hours per pay period, or 120 hours per year (increase with years of service).
- Sick Leave : Earned at the rate of 3.6923 hours per pay period, or 96 hours per year.
- Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
- Employee Recognition Programs
- Annual Gym Membership
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Tuition Reimbursement Programs
Health Insurance
As a Douglas County employee, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package with several medical plan options, plus dental and vision coverage, life insurance, and disability insurance. Benefits start on the first of the month after a 60-day waiting period. To learn more about our health insurance and employee benefits, please visit our website for details.
Compensation
Douglas County uses a Pay for Performance compensation system, where employees receive annual performance evaluations and may be eligible for merit-based salary increases. Qualified employees can earn up to a 3% merit increase on their anniversary date, and may also receive an annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) during the first pay period of each fiscal year, based on the Consumer Price Index, up to a maximum of 5%. In addition, eligible employees who demonstrate exceptional, above-and-beyond performance may receive further compensation through the County’s Recognition of Excellence Program.
Salary : $28 - $39