Communication Officer I

General Overview

Answers and processes emergency 9-1-1, non-emergency and administrative phone calls for service from the public. Performs emergency 9-1-1, non-emergency, and field unit-initiated dispatching to medical, fire, and law public safety field units.

General Duties

• Answer 9-1-1 emergency calls, non-emergency, administrative and radio calls, ascertain nature of the calls, gather necessary information, and transmit or relay information for appropriate public safety response.
• Broadcast location, time and nature of incident; contact all required personnel and other local concerns (i.e. any other emergency first responders or county/city public work services) in the event of an emergency.
• Perform Emergency Medical, Fire, and/or Law Enforcement Dispatching to assist callers with aiding victims in medical distress by talking them through basic lifesaving procedures, fire incidents and/law enforcement.
• Maintain call logs and status of on duty personnel through computer aided dispatch (CAD).
• Maintain communication documents and records.
• Maintain on-going contact with personnel responding in an emergency and keep them informed of all incoming pertinent information in a timely manner.
• Maintain work area and equipment in clean and working condition.
• Attend training, workshops and seminars as needed for continuing education.

Required Skills

• Working knowledge of 9-1-1 phone system, administrative phone system, Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD), radio console, computers, electronic mapping, county/cities geography, NCIC/KCJIS Terminal, Internet, Radio Standards, performance standards, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), voice recorders/playback, and electronic data processing;
• Working knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of the RMS and CAD systems.
• Ability to rapidly assess situations through critical thinking, make quick decisions and take appropriate action under normal or stressful situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally in a clear and concise manner, as well as, in writing, during normal or stressful situations.
• Thorough knowledge of communications codes and signals used for emergency dispatching.
• Ability to adhere to KCJIS/NCIC Security Standard.