911 Telecommunications Officer (Full-time)

Position Summary

Overview:

Duties:

• Receives requests for service from the public and dispatches police, fire and medical units as necessary.
• Operates public safety communications radio equipment; constantly monitoring the status and availability of public safety units.
• Operates computers of various types: CAD (computer-aided dispatch) systems, CLEAN/NCIC, GIS, PEMA, Motorola radio systems, and others as needed.
• Receives emergency 9-1-1 calls for police and fire service; interrogates callers, determines appropriate responses, provides entry into a CAD system and sends calls to dispatch positions.
• Receives 9-1-1 emergency medical calls; interrogates callers, determines medical response levels, and provides pre-arrival Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) instructions as required.
• Dispatches Allegheny County emergency units including Allegheny County Police, Sheriff’s Office, and Emergency Services field units.
• Dispatches other municipal police agency field units; fire departments and stations (paid and volunteer); and emergency medical units including first responders, Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support Units.
• Performs other related duties as required or requested.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of:
• General office practices and procedures
• Customer service techniques/best practices
• Personal computer features and functions
• Skill in:
• Communicating effectively professionally and precisely with clear enunciation at all times, utilizing English language speaking skills; practice accurate spelling.
• Understanding and following written and oral instructions.
• Successfully completing required training program.
• Learning and utilizing various types of computers and automated systems to effectively perform the work.
• Remaining calm, even tempered and emotionally detached in stressful situations; being decisive, accurate and able to multi-task while handling such situations.
• Working effectively under stressful conditions.
• Gathering pertinent information quickly, and accurately processing fragmentary information.
• Working all shifts and forced overtime if staff shortages occur.
• Reading and discerning visual images on a variety of media, including the ability to read and understand maps.
• Distinguishing between colors on a color-coded computer screen.
• Ability to:
• Communicate effectively professionally and precisely with clear enunciation at all times, utilizing English language speaking skills; practice accurate spelling.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Successfully complete required training program.
• Learn and utilize various types of computers and automated systems to effectively perform the work.
• Remain calm, even tempered and emotionally detached in stressful situations; be decisive, accurate and able to multi-task while handling such situations.
• Work effectively under stressful conditions.
• Gather pertinent information quickly, and accurately process fragmentary information.
• Work all shifts and forced overtime if staff shortages occur.
• Read and discern visual images on a variety of media, including the ability to read and understand maps.
• Distinguish between colors on a color-coded computer screen.

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or its equivalent and must maintain a PA drivers license.
• One (1) year of full-time experience in public safety and/or with experience in a high-volume call center is preferred.
• Successful passing of the State of Pennsylvania 9-1-1 Telecommunicator certification exam or possession of any of the following certifications are a plus: APCO 40 Basic Telecommunicator, Emergency Medical Dispatch, CLEAN/NCIC Terminal Operator, CPR.

Testing Process

• Job skills examination dates and times will be scheduled in accordance with hiring needs.
• Only eligible applicants who successfully pass a background investigation will be permitted to register for the exam.
• The examination includes a keyboarding skills test and assesses abilities in areas including but not limited to decision making, prioritizing, spelling and memory recall. Applicants must achieve a minimum overall score of 71 and must have a minimum keyboarding score of 2298 KPH.
• Behavioral based examination: Eligible applicants who pass the Job Skills Examination will be invited to the second stage of testing.
• Conviction or unreported disposition of a misdemeanor/felony is automatically disqualifying unless the applicant has been pardoned. Additional testing may be required prior to candidates receiving a final offer of employment.

Background Check

• The pre-employment drug screen must be completed within 48 hours of the acceptance of the conditional offer of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Allegheny County is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.