Communications Officer

Dispatcher

Under the direct supervision the Communications Officer, the dispatcher will relay information from emergency callers to the proper resources (police, fire, and emergency medical responders). Dispatchers answer business, emergency, enhanced 9-1-1 and cellular 9-1-1 telephone lines along with Smart 9-1-1 and text 9-1-1. They are responsible for monitoring and dispatching 34 police, fire, EMS agencies within St. Clair County. Communications Officers collect, store, retrieve and disseminate information vital to emergency service operations.

Essential duties and responsibilities include :

• Receive all incoming calls from the public requesting police, fire, and / or emergency medical assistance.
• Disseminates emergency information to First Responders in a calm, collective manner.
• Gather, classify and supplement pertinent information obtained from the caller and enter it into the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system.
• Determine which response agency is responsible for responding to the call for assistance and dispatches the appropriate units(s).
• Gives emergency medical instructions, as outlined in protocol, while forwarding information to dispatcher for appropriate services.
• Must be able to process incoming calls and accurately type simultaneously on the computer to relay all pertinent information to dispatch.
• Provide emergency assistance to callers until responding emergency units arrive and assume control of the situation.
• Operate a CAD console equipped with multiple computer terminals, including mapping and aerial photography.
• Monitor and control a large number of public safety resources throughout St. Clair County.
• Query and enter information (e.g. stolen articles, wanted persons, missing persons, criminal history checks, etc.) through Michigan's Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) data files.
• Mitigate multiple situations simultaneously.
• Conserve the knowledge of location and availability of all field units.
• Monitors the emergency radio frequencies of public agencies including a civil defense.
• Transmits information to police vehicles concerning wanted persons, stolen vehicles, hazardous street conditions and other important information.
• Controls operation of roadblock and major emergency plans and maintains files.
• Maintains control of all calls received and transmissions made on radio and telephones.
• Maintains street locations, emergency phone numbers, patrol schedules and other pertinent records.
• Instructs new personnel on the use of communication equipment
• Train new Dispatchers and assist Dispatch Supervisors in evaluating the progress and / or performance of employees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervision received : Work is performed under the general direction of the Central Dispatch Director and Deputy Director. Supervisory responsibilities : N / A.

Experience, skills, education :

Essential abilities for all St. Clair County job classifications include :

Conditions of employment :

Physical requirements and working conditions :