DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  Work involves full participation in the performance of emergency services dispatching duties, as well as responsibility for overseeing the activities of emergency services dispatching staff. Duties include dispatching of emergency services, as well as providing leadership and supervision to dispatchers during the assigned shift, and related clerical functions. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Services or other high level emergency services administrator, and direct supervision of the Dispatch Center Supervisor. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:          (Illustrative only)

• Dispatches fire, EMS and police units to incidents within Putnam County;
• Maintains contact with units in the field to aid in the proper handling of calls
• Emergency Medical Dispatch calls as needed;
• Provides supervision of dispatchers during assigned shifts;
• Assists in the training of new, prospective and current dispatchers;
• Assists the Dispatch Center Supervisor regarding schedule;
• Oversees Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement program by reviewing dispatch calls (phone, radio, CAD entries) and providing feedback to applicable dispatcher;
• Ensures that the Dispatch Center complies with all rules and regulations regarding 911 dispatch;
• Reviews and checks 911 phone equipment, servers, CAD software & radio equipment daily;
• Maintains contact with Department of IT/GIS to ensure mapping is up to date;
• Provides ANI/ALI discrepancies to 911 coordinator for immediate correction;
• Provides Dispatcher Center Supervisor with daily equipment status;
• Acts a liaison between the dispatch center and the public, police, fire and EMS agencies;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Thorough knowledge of the operation of computer, radio and telephone equipment and emergency services terminology; thorough knowledge of the geography of the County; thorough knowledge of the various emergency services mutual aid plans in force in Putnam County; ability to control telephone communications with distraught, confused callers through calm, carefully directed interrogation to obtain all pertinent information regarding the request for service; ability to transmit messages orally with good diction and a clear speaking voice; ability to quickly and accurately enter orally transmitted data utilizing a computer keyboard; ability to use good judgment, tact and courtesy in talking with the public and in responding to requests for fire, rescue, emergency medical, law enforcement or disaster preparedness services; ability to follow oral and written instructions which pertain to job assignment and methods of performance; ability to use various office and clerical equipment; ability to perform routine clerical tasks such as making written entries on simple records such as logs or lists, filing written records; ability to write legibly, prepare reports and maintain records.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Associates degree or higher in Criminal Justice, Emergency Medical Services Management, Fire Protection Technology or closely related field and one (1) year experience as a dispatcher in an emergency services organization; or
2. Graduation from a high school or possession of a comparable diploma and two (2) years of experience as a dispatcher in an emergency services organization; or
3. An equivalent combination of experience as described in a) and b) above.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Within six (6) months of appointment, successful completion of

1. APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator 40-hour Dispatch Training Program;
2. Powerphone Emergency Medical Dispatch, Emergency Fire Dispatch, Law Enforcement Dispatch Training Program.
3. Within twelve (12) months of appointment, successful completion of Emergency Services Dispatch Training Evaluation Program (ESDTEP) as outlined by, 21 CRR-NY 5201.2.
4. Access to reliable transportation.

PLEASE NOTE:  Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: A state and/or national fingerprint supported background investigation is required before an appointment is made. The applicant will be responsible to pay the Division of Criminal Justice Services fee for this search.

01/04; 10/05; 5/06; 1/17; 6/24

Competitive Class