911 Telecommunicator

About the role

Telecommunicators dispatch for police, fire, and paramedics, and are responsible for receiving all emergency and non-emergency calls, processing the information, assessing the needs, and then dispatching the appropriate public safety resource for a response.

Responsibilities

• Answering emergency and non-emergency telephone lines
• Determining the needs of the caller
• Operating radio equipment and alerting/dispatching police and fire-rescue units to locations where assistance is required
• Keeping track of the status and location of on-duty police and fire-rescue units
• In cases of life-threatening medical calls, providing the caller with lifesaving instructions to assist the victim
• Monitoring police station alarm systems and controlling visitor access by monitoring cameras at entrances and controlling locks at external and interior door entries
• Receiving calls reporting emergencies or non-emergencies and determining what action is necessary
• Allowing Dispatch Police and/or Fire-Rescue units to incidents requiring assistance
• Supporting Police and Fire-Rescue field units requests for information/assistance by accessing available data bases or information resources and requesting other agencies/services respond as necessary
• For calls involving life-threatening emergency medical situations and when the caller is willing, providing the caller with lifesaving medical instructions to assist the victim
• Monitoring Station Alarm systems and control visitor access by use of video camera monitoring equipment, and use of door lock release switches in the Communications Center
• Sending new personnel and documenting their progress on Daily Observation reports

Requirements

• High school degree or GED equivalent
• Valid State of Florida Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification, greatly preferred
• A passing score of 80% or higher on the Criticall Testing software
• One year experience in a dispatch center as an emergency call taker and emergency services dispatcher preferred
• Knowledge of the OSSI Computer Aided Dispatch system, and FCIC/NCIC computer system preferred

Qualifications

• Certifications needed are CPR, National Academy of Emergency Dispatch, Florida Crime Information Center/CJNET required within 6 months of hire
• Ability to read and interpret text in books, charts, publications, equipment instructions, and information displayed on computer terminals
• Ability to view a computer terminal for extended periods of time
• Ability to work long periods of time, day or night, weekends, and shift work
• Knowledge of communications management, technical design and application, FCC rules and regulations, and computer operations
• Knowledge and operation of a complex telephone system, an 800 MHz trunking radio system, and a computer interface system with the Florida and National Crime Information Centers