Telecommunicator

Description

The City of Bloomington has an exciting job opportunity for Telecommunicators. We invite diverse talent to join our team and help advance our mission focusing on economic vitality, attainable housing, public safety, progress partnerships, inclusion, open government, sustainability, transportation, and quality of place. Come join us and be part of shaping the vibrant future of Bloomington, Indiana.

Telecommunicators process incoming and outgoing emergency and non-emergency calls, 9‑1‑1 texts, and emergency data. They dispatch emergency resources and communicate with Police, Fire and EMS units. They remain calm while providing medical assistance and life‑sustaining instructions that ensure caller safety. Fluctuations in call volume can make the job fast paced and high stress at times.

Primary

• Receives emergency calls; gathers maximum amount of caller information in minimum time; determines appropriate response and dispatches field officers and other emergency personnel accordingly.
• Renders life‑sustaining CPR and other pre‑arrival medical instructions to callers when necessary following requests for ambulances.
• Responds to inquiries and/or requests for service and provides callers with appropriate department or agency information.
• Translates information into a computer‑aided dispatch (CAD) system for proper and timely dissemination and recommendations. Records time of call, emergency personnel dispatched, response time, and final disposition of call, as required.
• All vacant calls are interrogated for TTY‑generated calls and/or called back to ascertain nature of calls.
• Reviews, updates, and maintains Indiana Data and Communication System (IDACS) and National Crime Information Computer (NCIC) information.
• Monitors and receives alarm system activations and dispatches officers, fire departments, or ambulances when necessary. Notifies appropriate representatives of alarms or any malfunctions until cleared.
• Takes all reasonable steps to maintain a safe work environment.

Secondary

• Performs related duties as assigned.

• Minimum knowledge equivalent to a high school education.
• Eighteen months of additional training in an emergency service field, communications, leadership, or secondary education, preferred.
• Experience equivalent to one year of clerical experience that includes typing, answering phones, and taking messages, preferred.
• Must be able to complete training within one year, including but not limited to:

• Completes standards‑approved Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD), and Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD) training courses.
• Demonstrates ability to quickly identify the seriousness of a problem and provide real‑time CPR and life‑sustaining first aid instructions.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and ability to use emergency medical terminology.
• Adheres to national standards and Priority Dispatch ProQA standard protocol.
• Translates information quickly into and through different computer systems.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of area law‑enforcement demands.
• Effectively receives and dispatches calls both spoken and via computer terminals.
• Acquires the following certifications: EMD, EFD, EPD, CPR, IDACS/NCIC.
• Uses all communications radio frequencies.
• Reads and comprehends maps and provides clear and concise directions.
• Appropriately receives, maintains and logs all emergency and non‑emergency related calls.

• Ability to meet all departmental hiring and retention requirements, including passing a thorough background and criminal history checks.

Difficulty of Work:

• Performs duties in an office environment and is frequently exposed to stressful situations associated with requests for emergency assistance. Often continues on duty during a shift with little break time.
• Ability to clearly and calmly respond during stressful situations.
• Work assigned hours, including overtime and work on holidays and weekends. Central Emergency Dispatch is a 24‑7 operation. Telecommunicators work 8‑hour shifts and 12‑hour shifts. Shifts are determined by department needs; some OT is required. Shifts are Days, Mids., and Nights. Hours vary during the…