Public Safety Dispatcher

Public Safety Dispatcher

The City of Denton is seeking a Public Safety Dispatcher for the Public Safety Communications department. This position reports to the Public Safety Communications Supervisor and is designated as Non-Exempt. Depending on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate, those applicants with more experience will be eligible to hire in at a higher rate that commiserates with their experience. The annualized pay rate is $50,035.75 - $71,296.00.

Applicants will undergo a series of steps to continue in the hiring process, including a preliminary interview form, skills testing, interviews, a personal history statement, a background investigation, a polygraph examination, a psychological evaluation, a health assessment and drug screen.

The Public Safety Dispatcher performs specialized radio and communications work, operating radio, telephone, and related communications equipment to receive and relay information to responders. This position prioritizes and assigns appropriate response for emergency and non-emergency service calls for assigned area of responsibility. Maintains logs and records of all activity as required. Provides support information to police officers, firefighters/paramedics, the general public, and other agencies as required. Responsible for answering emergency calls, non-emergency calls, incoming administrative lines, and giving medical instructions to callers.

Essential Job Functions:

• Answers incoming 911, TTY emergency and non-emergency calls. Prioritizes calls and determines proper routing utilizing established guidelines and operating procedures.
• Assigns calls and report numbers.
• Dispatches animal services officers, police officers, firefighters, and ambulance services to calls for service.
• Evaluates information to determine jurisdiction, equipment, and personnel to be dispatched.
• Confirms warrants for internal and external agencies.
• Monitors multiple radio channels and dispatches appropriate public safety personnel.
• Ensures dispatch of officer requests for back-up or traffic-related assistance, etc.
• Provides pre-arrival instructions for emergency medical calls and relays vital information to hospital emergency rooms when necessary.
• Maintains the accurate status of each officer on patrol, firefighters, EMS, and animal services personnel, including times in and out of service and locations.
• Documents all 800 MHz radio transmissions.
• Runs wanted and/or stolen checks through the National and Texas computer systems for outstanding warrants or other information. Confirms and relays information to originating officers.
• Inputs and monitors teletype information from burglary reports, protective orders, and missing person reports from applicable regional, state, and national databases.
• Sends teletypes, which includes entering, clearing, canceling, along with validating computer entries.
• Obtains a variety of information for officers and/or applicable external police agencies, which may include: driver's license information, criminal histories, property information, and/or other related information.
• Maintains familiarity with major streets, public buildings, industrial plants, and the general geographic layout of the City of Denton, Texas including reading and understanding maps.
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts, days, nights, rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and be available on an on-call basis as needed.

Additional Duties:

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications / Acceptable Equivalency:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Must be able to type at least 45 words per minute corrected.
• OR any combination of related education, experience, certifications, and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job.

Core Competencies:

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to form and maintain effective relationships with coworkers and customers.
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance (evaluate per position).

Conditions of Employment:

• Must have a valid Class "C" Driver's License prior to employment (must obtain Texas Class "C" driver's license within 30 days of hire per state law).
• Must pass a drug test, credit history check, driver's license check, criminal history background check, and social security number verification check.
• Must pass the CritiCall Skills Assessment.
• Must attend and successfully complete in-service training schools.
• Must obtain NCIC Telecommunicator Certification, Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification, TCIC/NCIC Certification and TCOLE Certification within one (1) year of employment.
• Must have no Class A or Class B misdemeanor convictions in the past (10) years.
• Must have no felony convictions.
• Must pass polygraph exam, psychological exam, and credit check.
• Must pass a hearing test.
• Must pass a typing test with 45 words per minute corrected.
• Must meet civilian hiring standards of the Denton Police Department.
• A personal history statement must be submitted with each application (thorough background check).
• Must be able to work 12-hour shifts, rotating shifts, days, nights, weekends, and holidays, and be available on an on-call basis as needed.
• Please note Public Safety Dispatchers and Non-civil service Fire Department employees that are under the age of 36 at the time they are hired will be placed in the Fire Pension Plan.
• Preferences:
• Bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Prior experience as a Telecommunicator in a Law Enforcement Center.
• Physical Requirements: Overall Strength Demands The following describes the overall strength demand of the functions performed by the incumbent during a typical workday.

Location: Denton, TX