POLICE DISPATCHER TRAINEE

About the role

This is a fast-paced, technical work under close supervision at the trainee level involving automated systems primarily through CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch) pertaining to law enforcement public safety communications.

Responsibilities

• Comprehend and apply law enforcement and public safety operation procedures, which is learned through extensive training that consists of several phases of classroom and on-the-job training.
• Communicate with the public and First Responders requiring the ability to analyze situations and determine the effective course of action; adjust quickly to changing situations while assessing time and sensitive information; perform several tasks at the same time and assign appropriate priorities, signals, and codes to incoming calls for services while monitoring multiple frequencies and viewing multiple computer/camera screens.
• Maintain an efficient and calm demeanor in handling adverse or stressful situations for an extended period of time in a high-volume public safety work environment.
• Sit for prolonged periods of time wearing a headset, which restricts movement in the work area, and occasionally lift objects weighing less than 50 lbs.
• Work shifts to cover 24 hours per day, seven days per week operation and are subject to work overtime, being held over or called back to work for disasters, local emergencies, special events, OR minimum staffing requirements, etc.
• Frequent contact with the public, police and emergency service providers, and occasional contact with other federal, state, and local government agencies.
• Some of these contacts may require considerable skill in diplomacy, tact, and/or discretion.
• Answers 9-1-1 calls from the public requesting police and emergency assistance.
• Processes calls for information purposes and non-emergency assistance.
• Dispatches police emergency calls in accordance with prescribed patterns and needs.
• Dispatches police personnel and/or equipment using a computerized radio system and computer-aided dispatch system requiring voice communication and data entry simultaneously.
• Obtains information from a very diverse group of callers who are oftentimes distraught, emotional, scared, excited, of confused for the purpose of processing requests for emergency assistance.
• Records emergency incident response information and maintains the status and state of Police emergency vehicles and equipment by use of computer-aided dispatch program and/or manually.
• Makes oral and written reports.
• Handles confrontations constructively.
• Speaks English rapidly, clearly, and concisely.
• Maintains control of conversations under stressful situations.
• Maintains accurate records.
• Exercises judgment and initiative in dispatching emergency calls and other requests.
• Dispatches and handles emergency calls on a continuous basis under time constraints.
• Establishes and maintains satisfactory working relationships.
• Reads multiple computer screens for extended periods.
• Hears and comprehends all audible transmissions under loud and adverse or chaotic conditions.
• Typing accurately while performing multiple tasks.
• Operates office equipment necessary in the performance of this job.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville’s competencies.

Requirements

• Ability to read, write, and speak English clearly.
• Pass a pre-employment skills test.
• A high school graduate or above is preferred.
• Work overtime with little or no notice, shift work, weekends, holidays, evenings, and nights.
• Hours of operation are 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Probation period for this class is twelve (12) months.
• Successfully complete on-the-job dispatching training program during the probationary period.
• Be able to type accurately while performing multiple tasks in order to complete the probationary period.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment skills test.
• Must be able to pass a polygraph, background investigation including criminal, psychological, and medical evaluation, and drug screening prior to hire.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality, discretion, and be sensitive to critical incidents; no distracted dispatching is permitted at any time in 911 Communications Center.
• Perform safety-sensitive functions and be subject to pre-employment, random and other drug/alcohol testing programs as set forth in the City of Jacksonville’s Drug Free Workplace Policy (0401).
• Licenses/Certifications/Registrations: Florida/National Crime Information Certification (FCIC/NCIC) must be attained and re-certified every two years. St of FL Public Safety Tele-communicator must be secured within 6 months & must be maintained.

Qualifications

• Requires the ability to read, write, and speak English clearly.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment skills test.
• A high school graduate or above is preferred.
• Work overtime with little or no notice, shift work, weekends, holidays, evenings, and nights.
• Hours of operation are 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Probation period for this class is twelve (12) months.
• Successfully complete on-the-job dispatching training program during the probationary period.
• Be able to type accurately while performing multiple tasks in order to complete the probationary period.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment skills test.
• Must be able to pass a polygraph, background investigation including criminal, psychological, and medical evaluation, and drug screening prior to hire.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality, discretion, and be sensitive to critical incidents; no distracted dispatching is permitted at any time in 911 Communications Center.
• Perform safety-sensitive functions and be subject to pre-employment, random and other drug/alcohol testing programs as set forth in the City of Jacksonville’s Drug Free Workplace Policy (0401).
• Licenses/Certifications/Registrations: Florida/National Crime Information Certification (FCIC/NCIC) must be attained and re-certified every two years. St of FL Public Safety Tele-communicator must be secured within 6 months & must be maintained.

Skills

• Techniques and procedures used in operating emergency communications equipment.
• Customer service standards and best practices.
• Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Standard Orders and Unit Procedures.
• The City of Jacksonville’s geography.
• FCIC/NCIC system and guidelines.
• Operating emergency communications radio equipment.
• Empathetic listening techniques.
• Hearing and comprehending all audible transmissions under loud and adverse or chaotic conditions.
• Comprehending information or data and making quick decisions in accordance with policy and procedures.
• Remaining calm under pressure and stressful working conditions during heavy workload and emergency-related calls.
• Speaking English rapidly, clearly, and concisely.
• Maintaining control of conversations under stressful situations.
• Reading and applying maps and GPS systems.
• Following instructions quickly.
• Operating a two-way radio console and/or a multi-line telephone system while wearing a headset during entire work shift.
• Comprehending data quickly and making decisions quickly in accordance with procedures.
• Comprehending data quickly and making decisions quickly in accordance with procedures.
• Listening and comprehending all audible transmissions in adverse conditions using current equipment.

Benefits

Open to candidates who meet the qualifications and requirements outlined in the job description.

Pay

Min USD $58,500.00/Yr. Max USD $58,500.00/Yr.

Schedule

Shift work covering 24 hours per day, seven days per week operation.