Telecommunicator

Job Description

Do you want to make a difference? Does taking 911 calls spark an interest in you? If so, the Burlington Police Department is seeking a full-time Telecommunicator.

About Us: The Burlington Communications Center is a 24-hour a day, 7-days-a-week center. The center functions as a vital link between the City of Burlington's and the City of Graham's police and fire departments and those who need emergency and non-emergency assistance.

What you will do: Performs routine telecommunications work in receiving and processing emergency and non-emergency calls for the police and fire department. You will be responsible for receiving and prioritizing 911 and non-emergency telephone calls from the public, dispatching appropriate public safety officials, and maintaining open lines of communication with public safety during emergency situations.

Policing with a Purpose:

• Preserving the Sanctity of ALL Life

• Nurture and Protect Democracy

• Ensure Procedural Justice and Fundamental Fairness

• Spirit of Service

• Protect the Community from Harm

• Treat all individuals with Dignity and Respect-the ethical foundation of policing

Examples of Duties

• Receives incoming calls from the public; evaluates requests for service and makes decisions on which public agency provides the required assistance to the situation; prioritizes the call according to severity

• Receives after-hours calls for animal control, utilities, street maintenance, and traffic signal malfunctions

• Operates the TTY service for the Telecommunication Device for the Deaf tests calls on weekly basis to ensure systems are operating as required

• Dispatches police or fire officials to emergencies; communicates with police or fire officers during situations; sends additional units to situation based on officer's requests or updated information

• Monitors self-initiated activities of police officers and provides them with information obtained by operation the NCIC system on retained suspects

• Maintains records of authorizations, warrants, and other information required for DCI/NCIC entries; logs all activities of the DCI terminal

• Uses NC AWARE Program to check for outstanding warrants; communicates results to officers in the field

• Work involves public contact, which requires tact, firmness, and decisiveness & is performed in accordance with department policy and state and federal law

• Closes telecommunications calls for service and identifies fire or police units back in service

• Updates criminal history logs

• Performs related duties as required

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• General knowledge of current telecommunications practices and procedures

• General knowledge of the practices and procedures used in the police and fire departments

• General knowledge of city geography and street locations

• General knowledge of the operation and use of computer aided dispatching equipment

• General knowledge of various support manuals and resources such as call books, HAZMAT manual, tactical dispatch manual, and other standard operating procedural manuals

• Demonstrated ability to operate a computer terminal, telephones, radios, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) consoles

• Demonstrated ability to read maps quickly, scan warrant files, and review recorded tapes

• Proficient in the use of Language Line interpreting services, to connect 911 callers with Interpreters quickly and efficiently

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalency

• At least 6 months of work experience in a dispatch function or extensive public contact role.

• NC DCI Certification

Special Requirement

• Emergency service Telecommunicator certification through NC Sheriff's Association (To be obtained within first 12 months)

Preferred

• Prior experience in a law enforcement or fire/EMS environment.

• Current certification as an emergency service Telecommunicator by APCO.

Supplemental Information

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Work in this class is described as being sedentary and seldom requires much physical exertion to complete tasks.

• Work typically involves the ability to physically perform the basic life operational functions of grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.

• Employee works rotating shifts which can cause fatigue from switching internal biorhythm clocks.

• Employee regularly operates a variety of machinery and equipment, including telephones, computers, calculators, copiers, facsimile machines, etc.

• Work necessitates visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned in preparing and analyzing figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal viewing and extensive reading.

• Working conditions include inside environmental conditions.

Inclement Weather Classification: Essential