The Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Emergency Services Dispatcher Trainee. Meet the qualifications and receive on-the-job training!

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: Work involves monitoring, dispatching, and coordinating a variety of emergency services (fire, rescue and ambulance, law enforcement, child protection services, disaster preparedness, etc.). Duties also include maintaining communications with road patrol officers to dispatch back-up assistance when requested. Incumbents monitor numerous telephone systems, alarm systems and radio frequencies simultaneously in a fast-paced high-stress work environment and must exercise sound independent judgment in prioritizing calls and dispatching appropriate services to emergency situations as quickly as possible. Ability to remain calm and courteous when dealing with upset, potentially angry and abusive, callers is essential, as is maintenance of accurate records of all calls placed and received, in accordance with established procedures. Mandatory work assignments include both day and night shifts. Work is performed under general supervision of higher-level Bureau of Emergency Services staff. Upon the successful completion of the one (1) year training program, the employee is promoted to the full performance position of Emergency Services Dispatcher without further examination. Performs related work as required.

SOME TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Receives calls from the public in need of fire, rescue, emergency medical, law enforcement or other emergency services and dispatches appropriate emergency personnel;
• Queries the caller in a calm, systematic manner to determine the seriousness and nature of the situation, the location, the services needed, and other information necessary to evaluate the situation;
• Exercises sound independent judgment in dispatching services and coordinating the participation of various emergency personnel/equipment to the scene;
• Maintains a continuous log of all telephone and radio calls sent out or received, records all fire and emergency equipment that is in service in the county, and logs equipment that is out of service;
• Operates telephone communications equipment and inputs data into computer aided dispatch systems utilizing a computer terminal keyboard;
• Utilizes computerized databases to access and record data and information;
• Acts as a secondary radio dispatcher for other agencies such as child protection services, medical examinations, investigators; etc.;
• Receives and answers radio calls for various agencies and transfers calls to appropriate personnel;
• Gives instructions to callers and provides emergency medical instructions to callers using standard accepted medical guidelines;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from high school or possession of a comparable diploma

Within twelve (12) months of the date of initial appointment:

• Successful completion of Emergency Services Dispatch Training Evaluation Program (ESDTEP) as outlined by 21 CRR-NY 5201.3.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Successful completion of the Public Safety Dispatcher performance examination with a passing score prior to appointment.

See section 5201.3 Public Safety Telecommunicator Entry Level Training Standards from the Final Adopted PSAP Minimum Standards:

• All candidates shall be subject to a background investigation, including a fingerprint based criminal history search, medical examination to include a hearing test, and a psychological examination/personality assessment, prior to appointment. All such assessments shall be in conformity with New York Executive Law article 15 (Human Rights Law) as outlined by 21 CRR-NY 5201.2.

TRAINEESHIP COMPLETION NOTE: Appointment to this Trainee position leads to appointment in the full title (Emergency Services Dispatcher) without further examination after successful completion of a one (1) year traineeship.

PLEASE NOTE: One (1) year paid full-time status as a Dispatcher in a New York State E-911 Dispatch Center, may satisfy the requirements and allow appointment as an Emergency Services Dispatcher pursuant to Part 5200 of Chapter LX New York Interoperable & Emergency Communication Board.