Emergency Dispatcher jobs in Elkhart, IN

POSITION DESCRIPTION

COUNTY OF LAGRANGE, INDIANA

POSITION: Dispatcher

DEPARTMENT: E-911

WORK SCHEDULE: Hours as scheduled

JOB CATEGORY: POLE (Protective Occupations, Law Enforcement)

DATE WRITTEN: January 2009 STATUS: Full-time

DATE REVISED: FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

LaGrange County provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known

disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of

the job, unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Dispatcher for LaGrange County E-911, responsible for monitoring incoming emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatching information to appropriate response units.

DUTIES:

• Receives all emergency-related calls, gathers maximum amount of information in minimum amount of time, determines appropriate response and dispatches Police, Fire,

EMS and/or other local emergency personnel accordingly.

• Receives incoming non-emergency/information-related calls, determines nature of call, responds to inquiries, routes caller to appropriate individual/department, takes message and/or forwards calls to voice mail.
• Enters all emergency and non-emergency dispatch data and shift activities in designated software program as required.
• Receives and transmits computer teletypes pertaining to, but not limited to, criminal histories, drivers’ licenses, vehicle registrations, protective orders, gun permits, runaways, wanted and missing persons, and stolen property and vehicles.
• Verifies, enters and maintains accurate IDAC/NCIC information for the Department and other law enforcement agencies, researching and retrieving information as requested.
• Provides medical instructions as needed and utilizes mapping to provide directions.
• Pages Hospice, Red Cross, County Coroner, Hazmat and/or SWAT as situations demand.

Contacts Public Works, utilities, and wrecker services as needed.

• Gathers weather information and submits to the National Weather Service.
• Gathers information for fish and wildlife calls and dispatches to Conservation Officers.

Contacts Animal Warden for animal bite and vicious animal complaints.

• Maintains order and cleanliness of work area and periodically assists in re-stocking supply room.
• Periodically attends prescribed training programs for certification/re-certification in specialized areas as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain possession of all required certifications, including, but not limited to, First Responder/CPR, IDAC/NCIC, and Emergency

Medical Dispatch certifications.

• Ability to meet all Department hiring requirements, including passage of a criminal history check, a drug test, and a written exam.
• Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of standard practices, procedures, rules and regulations of the Department and ability to take authoritative action as situations demand.
• Complete knowledge of local geography and ability to read maps, use emergency code terminology, and quickly, clearly and calmly respond during stressful situations.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to condense large amounts of information into coherent typed remarks.
• Working knowledge of radio frequencies, codes, procedures and limitations and ability to speak clearly and distinctly, hear and be heard and understood when communicating in person, by radio, or by telephone.
• Practical knowledge of area law enforcement, EMS and fire demands, and ability to effectively perform essential duties of the position without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of self and other individuals in the workplace.
• Working knowledge of current training programs and ability to conduct training for new personnel.
• Ability to type with speed and accuracy and properly operate a variety of standard office equipment, including various computers, printer, E-911 system, two-way radio, computerized telephone system, weather radio, paging system, fax machine, shredder and copier.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, Police, Fire, emergency services, public safety agencies, utilities, Hospice,

Department of Family and Children, wrecker services, and members of the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

• Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information and records according to state requirements.
• Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/difficult persons.
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain and carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to compare and observe similarities and differences between data, people or things.
• Ability to compile, analyze, and evaluate data, make determinations, and present findings in oral or written form.

E-911/dispatcher

• Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, often amidst frequent distractions and interruptions, and under pressure from high volume operations.
• Ability to work irregular and/or extended hours, evenings and weekends as scheduled, and occasionally travel out of town for training, sometimes overnight.
• Ability to occasionally respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.
• Possession of a valid Indiana driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record.

RESPONSIBILITY:

• Incumbent performs a wide variety of communication duties according to established Departmental policies and procedures, with priorities primarily determined by supervisor and service needs of the public. Assignments and objectives are set jointly by incumbent and supervisor with some degree of flexibility in the job. On rare occasions, decisions are made in the absence of specific policies and procedures, and/or guidance from supervisor. Errors in work are primarily detected or prevented through supervisory review and notification from other departments, agencies or the public. Work errors could result in substantial property loss, inconvenience to other agencies or the public, and/or endangerment/loss of life to emergency service workers or members of the public.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

• Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, Police, Fire, emergency services, public safety agencies, utilities, Hospice, Department of Family and Children, wrecker services, and members of the public for purposes of giving and receiving information and rendering service.

• Incumbent reports directly to E-911 Director.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Incumbent performs duties in a communications center, involving sitting/walking at will, close/far vision, color perception, keyboarding, lifting/carrying objects weighing under 25 pounds, hearing sounds/communication, speaking clearly, and handling/grasping/fingering objects. Incumbent is frequently exposed to stressful situations associated with emergency requests for assistance and typically performs duties in a restricted seated position with little or no opportunity for breaks during shift.
• Incumbent works extended and/or irregular hours, evenings and weekends as scheduled and occasionally travels out of town for training, sometimes overnight. Incumbent occasionally responds to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $24.69 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Work Location: In person