Emergency Communication Operator

Description To provide a single point of contact for twenty four hour voice/radio communications for Grand Forks County and cities therein; to include Grand Forks Police Department, Grand Forks Fire Department, University of North Dakota Police Department, Altru Ambulance, Grand Forks County Sheriff’s office, and all rural fire, rescue, and EMS as well as providing emergency and 911 services to citizens for immediate and direct access to fire, police, and medical services; to monitor, operate and test a variety of communications equipment.
Examples of Duties Essential Functions: 1.
Receive 911 calls from within Grand Forks county, 911 cell phone calls, 911 transfer calls from other Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP), and emergency calls from administrative lines; coordinate all emergency responders such as firefighters, medical response teams, and law enforcement officers 2.
Utilize a countywide, centrally controlled radio/telephone paging system 3 3.
Utilize the National Law Enforcement Teletype System following state and federal Standard Operating Procedures.
4.
Ensure the safety of law enforcement and parole and probation officers by acknowledging, recording, and monitoring officer status during the officer’s duty tour.
5.
Retrieve and transmit information as needed by law enforcement officers.
6.
Maintain and update FBI records; record entries and inquiries with the National Crime Information Center.
7.
Disseminate severe weather watches and warnings to law enforcement, emergency responders, and the general public.
8.
Answer and acknowledge all warnings, alerts, and tests from the National Warning System.
9.
Receive, record, and disseminate any reports of bomb threats, weapons of mass destruction, and hazardous materials spills; coordinate with Emergency Management, other appropriate local and state agencies and entities, and appropriate federal agencies.
10.
Provide input to the PSAP Standard Operating Procedures Manual; maintain appropriate records systems Typical Qualifications Knowledge: Basic communications equipment, procedures and techniques; Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations; Operations, services and activities of a municipal and regional emergency communication and dispatch center; Use and operate the full array of Public Safety communications equipment independently; Modern and complex principles and practices of radio communications and emergency dispatch; Use and operate the full array of public safety communications equipment independently; Interpret and explain City policies and procedures; Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
Skills: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including City officials and the general public; Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities; Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities; Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties.
Requires extensive written and verbal communication skills needed to motivate, convince, and/or change behavior or attitude of contacts.
Abilities: Learn modern and complex principles and practices of radio communications and emergency dispatch; Learn the operations, services and activities of a municipal and regional emergency communication and dispatch center; Ability to perform multiple tasks under highly stressful situations; Hear and understand multiple simultaneous conversations in a noisy environment; Correctly identify different color monitors, alarm panels, and radio consoles; Ability to type a speed necessary for successful job performance.
Requires judgment in selecting appropriate guidelines.
Interpretation of guidelines is required as tasks may vary when repeated.
Supplemental Information Experience: One year of work experience as a public safety/911 dispatcher as a Communications Operator at the Grand Forks Public Safety Answering Point.
Training: Requires a high school diploma or GED supplemented by college level course work in radio communications or a related field.
License or Certificate Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid emergency medical dispatch certificate within one year of employment.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid NCIC certificate within one year of employment.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid APSCO 40 hour course certificate.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, CPR certification.