Public Safety Dispatcher

About the Department

The Public Safety Dispatcher is an entry-level position in the Communications division of the City of Kenai Police Department.  Under general supervision, the Dispatcher coordinates public safety (Police, Fire, and EMS) response to protect life and property through prompt, courteous, and efficient call processing and dispatching.  The Dispatcher transmits, receives, and relays information to and from an array of local, state, and federal government entities.   This position also performs a variety of general clerical and data entry duties. The position includes daily contact with the public and government agencies, often in emergency situations that require the employee to influence and direct conversations, often in stressful circumstances.  The employee must be self-disciplined and exercise discretion when handling sensitive information.  Kenai Police Department communications personnel are held to a high level of professional skill and technical ability.  Personnel are trained to maintain situational awareness in a stressful, multi-tasked environment.

Position Duties

1. Provides first responder assistance in medical emergencies in accordance with the National Academy of Emergency Dispatch guidelines. Receives, classifies, and prioritizes all incoming calls to the dispatch center, including 9-1-1 calls, emergency and non-emergency calls received from citizens; operates a variety of public safety communications equipment including, 9-1-1 emergency telephone equipment, computer-aided dispatch systems, and multi-channel radio system.
2. Evaluates response necessary as dictated by a given request for service; determines nature, location, and priority of calls; operates computer-aided dispatch system to create calls for service within response criteria guidelines; assign and dispatch personnel in accordance with policies and procedures; transfers calls to other appropriate agencies in accordance with established procedures; obtains and dispatches other support services as necessary.
3. Provides accurate deployment tracking of department personnel and equipment to maintain continuous situational awareness.
4. Operates computer terminals to enter, modify, and retrieve data; use multiple computer programs and quickly navigate between computer and communications programs and applications.  
5. Monitors City-wide and airport alarm systems.
6. Prepares and maintains numerous reports, logs, alpha and numerical files, report forms, statistical data, and general correspondence using correct English spelling, punctuation, and grammar; prepares documents for routing, including data entry into multiple databases for other state agencies.
7. Provides a variety of general clerical assistance; greets the public in person; responds to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provides information within the area of assignment; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner; corrects citations as necessary; maintains strict confidentiality of all calls, conversations, and written materials. 
8. Reads and comprehends legal and non-legal documents such as driving records, criminal histories, citations, domestic violence paperwork, no-code death advisements, and warrants.
9. Communicates and coordinates with others in a stressful environment; maintains composure in difficult situations; endures occasional verbal and mental abuse from persons who may be under stress as a result of emergencies or interaction with law enforcement personnel.
10. Works effectively with co-workers, the public, and others by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner, often in stressful situations; establishes and maintains effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
11. Attends Department and other training programs.
12. Obtains and maintains security clearance standards as set by the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN).
13. Assists with training new dispatchers as required.
14. Performs assigned duties with speed and accuracy.
15. Performs job duties with minimal or no supervision.
16. Maintains the physical ability to perform essential job functions.
17. Maintains regular, reliable and predictable attendance at work.
18. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
2. Must have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent. 
3. The applicant (or employee after hire) must pass a drug screening test and criminal background check, as well as other background investigations.  The successful applicant should not have any criminal history that would bar the applicant from obtaining access to Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) under state and federal laws and regulations.
4. The workweek is comprised of varied shifts depending upon the needs of the Department.  Work schedules provide coverage twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, including City holidays and shift extensions; the employee may be asked to respond to emergency call-outs when available. 
5. Must possess any combination of training and experience that provide the applicant with the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential job functions. 

Other Qualifications

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Strong oral communication skills, work experience in dealing with people involved in stressful situations, and/or demonstrated ability to work under pressure and in highly stressful situations are highly desirable.

WORKING ENVIRONMENTThe employee must be able to work during the day or night for long shifts and often alone in a building.  The work is performed inside, usually around computers and other electronic equipment.  Inside work is usually in buildings, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated.   The work environment exposes the employee to potentially dangerous situations, and to sit in a confined area on occasion behind protective glass.  Personal protective equipment is provided and must be used in accordance with best practices, federal and state laws, and City/Department policies and operating procedures. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  This position requires a level of physical ability including vision, hearing, speaking, flexibility, and ability to maneuver between computer and electronic equipment in a confined area. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers dexterously (e.g., operate computers, radios, telephones, and other equipment and tools); is regularly required to work inside and in confined spaces; is required to perform general duties that may include, but not be limited to, walking, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying, and crouching; is required to exert in excess of forty (40) pounds of force occasionally; is required to work in stressful environments and make quick decisions under stress. The employee will regularly be required to sit for extended periods of time and work for long periods without breaks.   The employee will be required to work long shifts.  Specific vision requirements include close, distance, and peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.  The employee must be able to hear and to talk and communicate verbally in-person as well as on a radio and telephone.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATIONThe City of Kenai is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law. 

*Upon initial appointment to a position, the employee will receive the minimum compensation for the position except in cases when unusually difficulty in filling the vacancy is experienced or when the appointee is exceptionally qualified. When an employee is exceptionally qualified, the City Manager may approve compensation at a level above the minimum but not more than the maximum range. Exceptional qualifications are in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications and include, but are not limited to two (2) years of experience as a public safety dispatcher.