Job Details

Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher

The Town of Seekonk is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher in the Public Safety Communications Department. This is an entry-level position responsible for receiving emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatching police, fire, and EMS personnel, and providing critical communication support to public safety operations.

Emergency Telecommunications Dispatchers play a vital role in community safety by ensuring timely and accurate communication between the public and emergency responders.

Compensation This position is posted as an entry-level position in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. However, pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement with the Union, applicants who have prior full-time emergency dispatching experience may be eligible for enhanced compensation and benefits once training is completed. Specifically:

• Candidates with 5 or more years of prior emergency dispatching experience may be placed at a higher step within the dispatcher pay scale, depending on years of experience.
• Experienced hires will be eligible to receive ten (10) vacation days upon successful completion of the training period.
• Vacation accrual thereafter will follow the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive and prioritize emergency and non-emergency calls for service
• Dispatch police, fire, and EMS units using radio and computer-aided dispatch systems
• Maintain accurate call and incident records
• Monitor multiple radio channels and coordinate emergency response
• Provide callers with instructions and information during emergency situations
• Work effectively in a fast-paced, high-stress environment requiring multitasking and attention to detail

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Ability to pass required background checks and pre-employment screenings
• Strong communication, multitasking, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts
• Ability to obtain required certifications during the training period

Why Apply This is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to begin a career in public safety communications, while also providing experienced dispatchers the opportunity to receive recognition for their prior service and experience.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Full job description below.

Job Title: Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher

Department: Public Safety Communications

Supervisor: Communications Director

Status: Union

Salary: Step 0 $26.01 per hour*

Union: New England Police Benevolent Association, Inc. Local 126

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Hours/Week: 40

*The salary is based on a nine (9) step table. Step 0 is $26.01 per hour and Step 9 is $35.97 per hour.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher (ETD) is essential in providing public safety communications for fire, police, EMS, and utility services responding to emergency situations to assist citizens in need. The ETD receives, reviews and transmits emergency and law enforcement related communications by operating a multi-band sophisticated radio broadcast system, teleprocessing system, cellular emergency 911 telephone network and a worldwide police telecommunications system under the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission to disseminate information on crimes and emergencies.

SUMMARY: The following description is a general summary of responsibilities with some specific duties. It is not a total delineation of all duties nor does it limit the responsibilities to those stipulated. This position functions as a part of the overall public safety team to ensure effective and efficient public safety operations.

The Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher monitors radio frequencies, sets priorities among incoming events and dispatches police, fire, or medical personnel to necessary locations using both radios and computers. They keep accurate status of exact location of equipment and personnel by maintaining radio contact. Answer complaints and transmits broadcast orders to coordinate the dispatching of law enforcement, medical and fire emergency personnel. All Emergency Telecommunications Dispatchers also serve as 911 Telecommunicators as needed.

The positions requires the individual to think quickly, calmly, and clearly in emergency situations and apply judgement, discretion, and initiative in accomplishing work. The Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher uses initiative in carrying out repetitive assignments independently with specific instruction. The position entails the performance of complex tasks of varying degrees of difficulty. The normal work week for Emergency Telecommunications Dispatchers will consist of four (4) eight (8) hour days on duty and two (2) days off.

JOB ENVIRONMENT: The Communications Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and requires minimum staffing levels. All Emergency Telecommunications Dispatchers work a rotating schedule of days, nights and overnights which includes weekends and holidays. In addition, because of the nature of the position within public safety, there are instances where forced shift overtime is mandatory to meet a minimum staffing level, fill a sick call or due to high peak work periods. Long periods of minimal activity followed by sustained periods of intense activity or multiple events at once. Frequently required to perform repetitive tasks while maintaining flexibility to appropriately adjust to the needs of each situation. Extensive use of computers, keyboards, radios, office equipment, and similar specialized technical and electronic equipment commonly found in communication centers. Work is conducted in the Communications Center and involves sitting for extended periods of time, some walking, and standing. May be subject to extended work periods without relief.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Receive emergency and law enforcement related communications from the public via various communication devices, including emergency cellular 911 and enhanced 911 network; provides assistance as needed.
• Greet and assist members of the general public coming into the Towns Public Safety Complex.
• Operate multiline telephone system.
• Operate, monitor and utilization of approximately 100 camera CCTV system.
• Monitor and maintain situational awareness of persons in Police custody via CCTV system.
• Provides information via communications systems to coordinate the activities of law enforcement personnel who are engaged in major law enforcement actions such as high-speed chases, surveillance, searches, restraining orders, search warrants, etc.
• Utilizes numerous federal, state, municipal law enforcement and emergency communications systems for the purpose of receiving, evaluating and forwarding information to other federal, state, and municipal law enforcement and emergency agencies.
• Quickly and accurately obtain detailed and incident specific information from callers.
• Receive, prioritize and appropriately respond to routine business and emergency calls for service.
• Provide detailed documentation of Police/Fire/EMS response to incidents.
• Responds to request from other agencies relative to missing or wanted individuals, criminal histories, stolen property, sensitive intelligence, stolen property, etc.
• Dispense information to police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics in a clear tone of voice.
• Give medical instructions over the phone to callers while responders are on the way.
• Ability to study a map and give directions accordingly.
• Responds to requests for information via telephone, from other agencies, the news media and the general public to provide both law enforcement-oriented, emergency, and general information.
• Receive and transmit radio communications from Police/Fire/EMS personnel.
• Prioritize and appropriately dispatch Police/Fire/EMS units to simultaneous emergencies.
• Effectively manage and coordinate mutual aid responses to emergency incidents from multiple agencies.
• Simultaneously monitor and maintain situational awareness of multiple public safety radio systems.
• Monitor and maintain Fire Alarm system receiving equipment.
• Coordinate multiagency responses to large scale emergency incidents.
• Receive and transmit alarms of fire, either by fire alarm transmitters or telephone.
• Operate the Zetron system connected with all commercial fire alarm systems within the Town.
• Determines the availability of mutual aid.
• Must be able to work up to 16 consecutive hours.
• Must be able to work all shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
• Maintain confidentiality of National Criminal Justice Information System (NCJIS).
• Sees that all dispatching is performed in