Emergency Communications Specialist

Under close supervision of the Emergency Communications District (ECD) training and supervisory personnel acquires the skills, training, and certifications necessary to answer multiple phone lines, communicate effectively with persons requesting emergency and non-emergency police, fire, or EMS assistance, clearly relay information to first response personnel or to transfer information to dispatchers and to perform administrative support tasks as required. This position requires weekend and shift work.

Attends and successfully completes Emergency Communications training programs with the objective of effectively operating automated call and dispatch control center workstation to receive emergency and non-emergency calls according to established protocols.

Develops working knowledge of applicable State of Tennessee statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies, and procedures, as well as ECD rules, policies, and procedures.

Develops working knowledge of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) rules and regulations related to the access and dissemination of information.

Develops working knowledge of geography and locations of streets, roads, addresses, public buildings, subdivisions, and other locations within and throughout Jefferson County.

Answers telephone lines; assesses incoming 911 emergency and non-emergency calls; enters call data into computer for dispatch, or transfers/connects calls to appropriate department, extension, service, or agency.

Maintains effective communications with caller to obtain/verify pertinent information and to comfort them until assistance arrives; initiates welfare checks on abandoned 911 calls.

Communicates effectively and coherently over law enforcement, fire, rescue, and EMS radio channels; maintains police, fire, EMS, rescue, and other responding units’ activities status at all times to ensure the safety of personnel involved including those working accidents, fires, hazardous incidents, and breaks.

Enters/retrieve a variety of data into/from NCIC, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), and related computer systems.

Monitors multiple radio frequencies and responds to requests for services or records; monitors alarm systems at specific locations.

Performs a variety of administrative duties and activities related to emergency communications, such as; assorted logs detailing activity including wrecker service, warrants, CAD system, dispatching, message, NCIC entries/retrievals of information, facsimiles, and teletypes.

Conducts computer background checks on criminals; handles inquiries on driver’s licenses, vehicle tags, stolen articles and property, guns, wanted and missing persons, and warrants and summons; provides various information from computer databases as requested by law enforcement officers.

Performs administrative/clerical support tasks including but not limited to locating and/or cross-referencing telephone numbers and addresses, researching and contacting business/residence key-holders as necessary, changing computer paper and shredding confidential material, and performing other duties as required.

Takes and relays messages to local agencies; places calls for officers and supervisors; page out on-call personnel; disseminates information to various agencies.

Candidates must possess a High School diploma or GED.

Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment screening test to assure compatibility with and an aptitude for this position. Successful candidates must also be able to pass a criminal records background investigation.

During the probationary and training period, the candidate must attain NCIC/TIES Basic certification as well as certifications for telecommunications and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) within the prescribed training period; must maintain valid certifications thereafter during the period of employment.

In addition, you must meet the requirements as stated in § 7-86-205. Requirements for public safety dispatchers – (d) Except as provided in subsection (f), in addition to the requirements of subsection (c), any such person shall:

Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

Be a…