Emergency Communications Dispatcher II

About the role

The Emergency Communications Department (ECD) operates the Countywide consolidated emergency communications system, serving as the primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for the County of Monterey. The Department handles 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls, dispatching public safety personnel and equipment for law and fire agencies.

Responsibilities

• Receive and evaluate 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls for service
• Transmit radio traffic in response to complaints and inquiries
• Enter information into a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system
• Determine scene and responder safety; transfer calls to appropriate emergency service providers
• Manage callers in distress; coordinate incident response
• Dispatch police or fire personnel and equipment on both routine and emergency calls
• Control radio traffic, monitor, and maintain status of assigned public safety personnel and equipment
• Analyze situations, take effective action to ensure officer and public safety
• Use map and GIS software to identify incident locations and monitor units
• Interrogate and verify information from law enforcement computer networks
• Train staff as assigned
• Provide backup to other dispatchers as necessary
• Record and relay critical information

Requirements

• Current experience as a public safety dispatcher
• Knowledge of public safety computer-aided dispatch systems, radio dispatching consoles, and related equipment
• Ability to operate and interpret rules, regulations, and policies
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure and make sound decisions in emergency situations
• Ability to multi-task and switch between computer screens and applications
• Ability to type at a minimum of 30 wpm

Qualifications

• Approximately one year of experience performing duties comparable to the position of Communications Dispatcher I in Monterey County
• Working knowledge of public safety techniques, procedures, and methods
• Experience with public safety computer-aided dispatch systems, video display terminals, radio dispatching consoles, and related equipment
• Experience operating and interpreting rules, regulations, and policies
• Experience communicating clearly, concisely, and effectively
• Experience operating and interpreting rules, regulations, and policies
• Experience coordinating multiple events and emergency responses
• Experience dealing tactfully with the general public, law enforcement, and other officials
• Experience empathizing with members of the public in sensitive and/or distressful situations
• Experience working under pressure, exercising good judgment, and making sound decisions in emergency situations
• Experience using various mapping devices and relaying pertinent information
• Experience establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with co-workers, management staff, public safety personnel, and the general public
• Experience providing effective customer service
• Experience transitioning from periods of mental and physical inactivity to periods of intense and stressful mental and physical activity
• Ability to use a computer and keyboard with a moderate speed and high level of accuracy

Skills

• Clear, concise, and effective communication
• Operate public safety computer-aided dispatch systems, telephone systems, computer terminals, radio dispatch consoles, and associated equipment
• Maintain focus and monitor multiple sources of audible information in an open space and noisy environment
• Interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Document information in English in a clear, organized, concise, and understandable manner
• Coordinate multiple events and emergency responses
• Deal tactfully with the general public, law enforcement, and other officials
• Empathize with members of the public in sensitive and/or distressful situations
• Perform multiple tasks while monitoring background telephone and radio communications
• Work under pressure, exercising good judgment, and making sound decisions in emergency situations
• Read and interpret various mapping devices and relay pertinent information
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with co-workers, management staff, public safety personnel, and the general public
• Provide effective customer service
• Transition from periods of mental and physical inactivity to periods of intense and stressful mental and physical activity (rapid keyboarding)
• Accurately type a minimum of 30 wpm (net on a computer keyboard)

Benefits

• Excellent benefits package

Pay

• Hourly rate of pay

Schedule

• Flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency

Notes

• Background review required
• Must be able to pass a thorough law enforcement background investigation
• Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority
• Must be willing and able to remain seated at a console for long periods of time
• Must be available to work mandatory overtime as assigned
• Must be able to pass a thorough law enforcement background investigation
• Must be able to complete the Continuing Professional Training (CPT) requirement of twenty-four (24) or more hours of POST-qualifying training during every two-year CPT cycle