Job Description

Dispatcher

Perform a variety of dispatching duties for emergency and non-emergency calls from and/or to the public, police department, fire department, EMS, animal control, and city utilities. Dispatch personnel to calls for service and be able to use a variety of communication equipment such as: radio, multi-line telephone system, and computer systems. Provides general clerical and data entry duties, documents and maintains appropriate records and information, files and distributes a variety of documents.

Supervision Received and Exercised: Receives direct supervision from the shift supervisor or Police Captain - Support Services Commander. Exercises no supervision.

Essential Job Functions

• Receive emergency and non-emergency phone calls, dispatch field units to situations.
• Determine nature and location of calls; determine the priority of calls and dispatch available units accordingly.
• Respond to calls in a timely and effective manner; may be required to deal with irate, hysterical, abusive, and/or aggressive callers while maintaining a calm composure.
• Answer the telephone and provide the public with general information as required, work tactfully with the general public and co-workers.
• Communicate regularly with police officers, prosecuting attorney's office, court officials, and other law enforcement-related agencies.
• Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Operate required specialized equipment, including monitoring radio, alarm, and computer traffic; perform proper maintenance of city equipment.
• Ability to appropriately handle high stress situations and perform multiple functions at the same time.
• Utilize TLETS, and TCIC/NCIC systems; perform inquiries on driver's licenses, vehicles, property, warrants, and criminal background checks as requested by authorized personnel.
• Ability to understand and follow instructions, policies, rules, and regulations.
• Provide assistance and information to the general public as necessary.
• Provide clerical support including typing, filing, compiling statistics, as well as maintaining records, reports, and logs; prepare reports and other essential documents.
• As needed, receive payments from the public for fines and issue receipts.
• Order and maintain supplies for assigned department as directed.
• Maintain work area neatly, safely, and organized fashion; organize time and materials and use organization skills and judgment to handle a variety of duties at once; determine duties of the most pressing nature and set priorities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers.
• Perform additional duties as directed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to speak the English language; basic oral and written skills and the ability to communicate proficiently.
• Principles and procedures of filing and record keeping.
• Pertinent Federal, state and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Policies, procedures, and methods used in the operation of a dispatch center and a computer-aided dispatch system.
• Operation of modern office equipment and systems including computers, software, and radio equipment. Knowledge of police procedures and codes, city streets, buildings, and geographic regions.
• Ability to think and act appropriately in emergency situations while using common sense and proper professional training.

Education and Experience

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid Texas driver's license.
• Two years' experience in emergency Computer-Aided Dispatch and/or clerical experience preferred.

• Obtain certification through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement as a Telecommunicator within 1 year from date of employment; maintain Telecommunicator certification for duration of employment.

Benefits

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave. To learn more details, visit our benefits page at City of Athens Benefits Summary.

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