Emergency Communications Officer

Salary: $21.67 HourlyLocation : Post Falls, IDJob Type: Full-timeJob Number: 12022024ECODepartment: Police DepartmentDivision: CommunicationsOpening Date: 12/02/2024Closing Date: Continuous Class Specifications The principal function of an employee in this class is to answer emergency and non-emergency calls, including calls for other City services using a multi-line telephone and 911 systems. Employees in this class are responsible for fast, efficient and accurate receiving, dispatching and processing of calls and messages from and to police vehicles and personnel on an assigned shift. The work is performed under the supervision of a Emergency Communications Shift Supervisor, with some latitude granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment, frequently under stressful conditions.Examples of Work Duties Essential Duties and Responsibilities Receives, evaluates, and prioritizes requests for emergency and non-emergency service from the public, police agencies, City departments, and other callers;Interviews all emergency callers to determine the nature of the emergency, location of the incident, other related information and the need for dispatching of emergency assistance using a telephone switchboard according to established rules and procedures;Processes the requests received according to procedure; determines as much information as possible from the requestor to enable the most appropriate agency of responsibility and the most appropriate level of response;Dispatches police cruisers, ambulances and other necessary emergency and non-emergency equipment and personnel to aid officers in the field or the general public in emergency and non-emergency situations;Establishes a priority to each request in accordance with established guidelines and enters the request into the Computer Assisted Dispatch (CAD) system for dispatch;Maintains telephone contact with callers in evolving situations until the arrival of personnel who take command of the incident;Determines from phrasing, vocal stress, and level of cooperation the condition of the caller to provide a proper level of response to the request to ensure the safety of the caller and responders;Types information into CAD computer masks and files either as reference material or current information pertaining to calls; accesses multiple CAD files to obtain or insert information;Provides assistance, information, and answers inquiries from the public at the department front desk;Receives and processes reports, citations, logs, court orders, license applications, and related documents;Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City and Department policies, procedures and safety practices.Other Duties and ResponsibilitiesPerforms other related duties as required. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of: Telephone call-handling techniques;Radio transmission procedures to produce effective communication between two parties;Federal (FCC), City, department, and other applicable rules and regulations;City streets and surrounding areas, including geographical layout of operating districts;Police and emergency medical dispatch procedures;Police organization, policies and procedures;Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) operating systems;Operation of a personal computer and job-related software.Ability to: Follow written and oral instructions;Type accurately;Operate radio transmitting equipment in a fast and efficient manner, including under stress;Perform routine clerical work;Follow departmental guidelines and procedures relating to response to emergency situations;Exercise good judgment in the handling and prioritizing of calls within the department;Effectively communicate and make decisions related to dispatching emergency vehicles under stressful work conditions;Listen and retain information communicated in emergency calls;Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public;Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing;Operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties;Operate specialized dispatch communications equipment required to carry out job assignments;Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports;Respond to citizen requests in a courteous and effective manner;Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under stress and the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner;Have the flexibility to work any shift required;Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks. Acceptable Experience and Training High school diploma or GED equivalency; andSome experience and/or training in police dispatch, communications, clerical work or related field; orAny equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work. Overview of Benefits InformationThe City of Post Falls offers a variety of benefits to regularly scheduled employees working in excess of twenty (20) hours per week and as determined by our employee definitions, conferring benefits. For more detail, please contact the Human Resource Offices at (208)457-3309.Benefits Include: Defined Benefit Pension Plan Medical & Dental Benefits Employer Paid Health Reimbursement Account (tax free) 5% increase after 6 months with positive review Optional Flexible Spending Account Optional 401 K Optional 457 Plan (tax deferred) Optional IRA (post tax) Optional Supplemental Benefits: AFLAC VSP Vision Coverage Life Flight Identity Theft & Legal Services Time Off Benefits Paid Time Off 10 paid holidays Other: Employee Assistance Program Health & Wellness Programs On-site workout facilities Do you have student loan debt? This position is Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligible, allowing qualifying employees 100% student loan forgiveness. See https://studentaid.gov/pslf/ for more information.01 The following information is requested for the background investigations to be considered for employment with the Police Department of the City of Post Falls. Provide date of birth, drivers license number and state of issue 02 Do you object to wearing a uniform? Yes No 03 Have you worked shifts in the past? If yes, please specify which shifts (day, swing, night) 04 List any contact or use including experimentation, ingesting, or inhaling of any illegal substance including but not limited to marijuana, cocaine, speed, LSD, Meth, "mushrooms", and hashish, or prescription drug which was not prescribed to you by a licensed physician. List date, drug, and any explanation. An entry in this section does not automatically disqualify you for consideration. However, failure to list any incident that is discovered later in the background investigation may be grounds for disqualification and dismissal. 05 Have you ever been arrested, detained, or issued a citation (excluding traffic infractions) by a law enforcement agency? If yes, please provide the date, charge, agency, and disposition. 06 List any traffic violations relative to which a judgment of guilt was entered. Include date, violation, and judgment. 07 Have you ever used tobacco? If yes, please list most recent time. 08 Please list all past addresses since eighteen (18) years of age. If you do not remember the exact address, please provide City, State, and date of residency. Required Question