Job Information
CITY & BOROUGH OF SITKA Public Safety Dispatcher (Trainee Opportunities Available) in Sitka, Alaska
Thank you for considering employment with the City and Borough of Sitka. The following information is provided to give potential applicants awareness regarding the job.
If a range of pay is advertised, starting pay dependent on experience and qualifications aligned with job requirements.
Primary Purpose of Job and Essential Duties/Responsibilities
Sign-on bonus is available depending on qualifications and experience, subject to certain provisions.
Dispatcher Trainee opportunities with pay starting at $26.23 per hour (eligible for $28.05 per hour when Dispatcher Minimum Qualifications, outlined below, are met).
Dispatcher pay starting at $28.05 per hour (must meet Minimum Qualifications outlined below).
Due to the nature of this position, including the access to sensitive information, applicants are required to submit a detailed personal history questionnaire and undergo a thorough background check. This process will take several weeks to complete and applicants may experience a longer pre-hiring process than they are familiar with.
Primary Purpose of Job
The primary purpose of this position is to receive emergency telephone calls and dispatch appropriate equipment and personnel to provide emergency assistance to the citizens in the areas of Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Rescue, and Public Works.
Under the daily direction of the Dispatch and Records Supervisor and the direct supervision by the Lieutenant (Operations), the employee works independently on assigned duties and responsibilities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Answers incoming phone calls regarding both emergency and non-emergency situations and documents the call information in order to properly dispatch appropriate personnel and equipment Prioritizes requests for service on the basis of nature of call and availability of field units Analyzes geographical locations in order to dispatch the nearest available and most appropriate personnel Maintains accurate and current awareness of the status and location of all personnel and equipment Assigns case numbers and verifies completeness of information on documents for accuracy Monitors building security via video monitors; monitors the main lobby area of the Police Station, officer booking area, prisoner receiving area, and holding cells Operates FCC approved radio equipment in order to properly and timely dispatch non-emergency and emergency personnel and equipment Monitors and answers several radio frequencies for local services and other frequencies for adjacent jurisdictions Operates computer terminals to enter, query, modify, or delete data from the APSIN, NCIC and CAD computer systems and transmits such data based on security standards Checks computerized records and papers for completeness and compliance with established standards and procedures Receives from other agencies sorts, disseminates, logs, processes and files a variety of documents, reports, and other records alphabetically, numerically, or by other established classification Distributes reports to other divisions such as the District Attorneys Office, probation office and courts Responds to a variety of routine and non-routine inquiries by telephone or in person requiring a working knowledge of departmental policies and applicable laws Provides after-hours informational assistance to the general public Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other CBS departments and employees, state and federal officials, and the public Performs all other duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:
Dispatcher Trainee Professional office procedures and practices Office filing systems and procedures
Dispatcher SPD computerize dispatching and data systems such as Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Report Management (RMS) complies with Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) regulations Court filings procedures
Skills: Operating a personal computer and Microsoft software such as Word, Excel, and Outlook and any specialized software for public safety operation Performing computer entry duties with speed, efficiency, and accuracy Reading, writing, and mathematics, such as would have been obtained at a high school level Multi-tasking efficiently and effectively
Ability to: Recognize and maintain confidential information Work under extremely stressful situations which result from responding to emergency situations, including the responsibility for remaining calm and carrying out all duties with the recognition of the threat to life and property Work within a command structure requiring strict adherence to the following of orders Dealing with a variety of people calmly and professionally in a customer service situation, including times when the situation may be stressful Make decisions, sometimes quickly, as to the best course of action for responding to emergency situations Communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language Understand and follow oral and written policies, procedures and instructions Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructions Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines Quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge
Minimum Qualifications and Other Job Requirements/Expectations
Minimum Qualifications
Dispatcher Traineeis considered a training, entry-level position High School diploma or a GED; some college credits, preferred; and Some work experience dealing with other in a customer service, office setting, retail, or related area, preferred; or Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work
Dispatcher Completion of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials basic dispatcher course; and Completion of SPD Dispatch Training Program, emergency medical dispatcher certification, and Field Training Evaluation Program; and Twelve months as a Sitka Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee; or Prior dispatching experience for another public safety agency, in Alaska preferred