Public Safety Telecommunicator - Recruit

Hiring Pay Range: $25.86 to $32.32 (Full Pay Range: $25.86 to $38.79)

About the role

The City of Prescott, Arizona is seeking dynamic, highly motivated, career-oriented individuals to fill challenging positions in the Regional Public Safety Communications Center. Operated by the City of Prescott, the Prescott Regional Communications Center (PRCC) serves the majority of law enforcement and fire agencies within the region, including the City of Prescott Police and Fire Departments, Town of Prescott Valley Police Department, Yavapai Community College District, Yavapai-Prescott Tribal Police, Central Arizona Fire & Medical Authority (CAFMA), Groom Creek Fire District, Walker Fire Association, and Priority Ambulance Yavapai.

Responsibilities

• Answers non-emergency and emergency (911) calls.
• Obtains, interprets, processes and relays accurate information via department protocols utilizing Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems for both Police and Fire disciplines.
• Calms, negotiates, and communicates with callers; provides lifesaving medical instructions.
• Dispatches officers to various emergency sites for various agencies following various protocols.
• Enters warrants, lost/stolen property, vehicle repo, and missing person's information into ACJIS NCIC database.
• Maintains and files records.
• Provides emergency instructions as needed.
• Tracks public work orders and property watches.
• Updates business names and addresses into CAD portion of system.
• Runs criminal histories, vehicle registrations, driver's licenses, and warrants as requested by Police Officers.
• Attends meetings and training sessions.
• Trains new dispatchers and call takers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Possess any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Possess a valid Arizona driver's license.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Pass a pre-employment drug test, polygraph, and psychological test.
• Pass an extensive background check.
• Complete all required training within first 12 months of hire.
• Type at least 40 words per minute.
• Hold (or obtain) CPR, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), and ACJIS certifications within required time frames; and recertify and retest as required.

Skills

• Knowledge of Regional Communications Center administrative and operational policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable department, partner agency, federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of NG911.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of the Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) and ACIC/NCIC.
• Knowledge of applicable police and ambulance dispatch procedures and public safety agency rules, regulations, and methods of operation.
• Knowledge of the code and plain-talk systems used by law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical agencies.
• Knowledge of the operation of dispatch consoles, 911, two-way radio, TDD, computer, and records systems.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of emergency dispatching, including emergency medical dispatching (EMD).
• Knowledge of the streets, highways, common-place names, and geography of the region.
• Skill in reading maps, using computer keyboards, typing, and maintaining electronic files and records.
• Skill in negotiating and de-escalating techniques.
• Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing, to both individuals and groups.
• Ability to remain calm during emergencies.
• Ability to simultaneously interact with leadership from varying agencies.
• Ability to assess situations and act in accordance with the level of urgency.
• Ability to type and maintain 40-words per minute (wpm).

Benefits

• A diverse range of complimentary mental health and wellness services is available, including an Employee Assistance Program, a free subscription to Calm, and health coaching.
• Paid time off up to 25 days in first year of employment.
• 10 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday per year.
• Free employee-only coverage for medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, and life insurance.
• Pension and long-term disability through Arizona State Retirement System.
• Supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation plans and additional life insurance.

Schedule

Work conditions are demanding with irregular and unpredictable hours, and with noisy distractions from simultaneous events while working on multiple computer systems and monitors. Requires sitting for extended periods of time with limited or no breaks. Work is performed dealing with crisis situations that require making major decisions involving people, resources, and property.