Nampa - Dispatcher

POSITION SUMMARY:

General Statement of Duties

Receives incoming emergency calls and dispatches appropriate emergency personnel as required; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Distinguishing Features of the class

The principal function of an employee in this class is to relay information from public emergency callers to proper resources that can provide assistance when necessary. The work is performed under the supervision and direction of the Emergency Services Dispatcher Supervisor, but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with the assigned supervisor, other City employees, and the general public. The principal duties of this class are performed in an emergency telecommunications environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Receives calls from public for emergency services, including gathering accurate information needed to assist callers, dispatching appropriate units to designated area, maintaining communication with callers, providing medical directions as necessary, and determining if additional backup is needed.
• Monitors primary and secondary radio channels, including maintaining contact with staff on patrol, providing assistance by contacting other agencies when necessary, receiving in-progress calls, and advising staff on any information pertaining to prior contacts or warrants.
• Conserves the knowledge of location and availability of all field units, including maintaining a log of radio traffic, noting abnormal occurrences, and responding to requests for additional assistance.
• Maintains, updates, and applies accurate records by utilizing related information databases, including determining motor vehicle ownership, obtaining driver's license status, determining record of stolen property, checking reports of missing or runaway persons, and entering pawn tickets and warrants correctly.
• Answers and routes non-emergency calls when necessary.
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Assumes responsibility for other duties as required or assigned. 

ESSENTIAL RELATIONSHIP EXPECTATIONS:

• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Is punctual and timely in meeting requirements of performance, including attendance standards and work deadlines.
• Communicates information and states concerns in a clear and professional manner.
• Respects the opinion of others and demonstrates a reasonable relationship with employees, supervisors and others.
• Accepts and performs in a timely and effective manner changes in work assignments and/or how work is performed.  

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Commitment to Safety - Understands, encourages and carries out the principles of integrated safety management; complies with or oversees the compliance with safety policies and procedures; completes all required training; takes personal responsibility for safety.
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Decision Making - Ability to make critical decisions while following company procedures.
• Initiative - Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal.
• Judgment - The ability to formulate a sound decision using the available information.
• Motivation - Ability to inspire oneself and others to reach a goal and/or perform to the best of their ability.
• Reliability - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.
• Strategic Thinking/Planning - Ability to develop a vision for the future and create a culture in which the long-range goals can be achieved. Understands and processes complex information and exercises sound judgment, considering the situation, the issues, the key players, and the levels of authority involved. Proposes courses of action that further the objectives, priorities, and vision of the organization.
• Working Under Pressure - Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.

SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Ability to efficiently perform required duties under stressful and fast paced conditions.
• Ability to think, act, and speak clearly, quickly, and calmly in emergency situations.
• Ability to prioritize calls according to level of need and importance.
• Ability to effectively communicate with persons in various states of mind.
• Ability to answer a multi-line telephones, including 911 lines and radio traffic simultaneously.
• Ability to type 40 wpm or more, after errors, with no less than 92% accuracy.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or verbal instructions.
• Ability to and prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE:

• Substantial knowledge of City geography and jurisdictional boundaries.
• Substantial knowledge of radio signals, codes, and equipment.
• Some knowledge of criminal and civil law.
• Ability to operate personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks and the ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.

EDUCATION:

• High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED): Required

TESTING PROCEDURES:

Scored oral interview:

• A panel of interviewers will ask questions to gain insight into your qualifications and ability to perform as an Emergency Services Dispatcher. We are interested in your prior education or experience, your reasons for seeking a position as an Emergency Services Dispatcher, and why you feel you would be a good member of our team.
• An eligibility list will be created based on your oral interview scores. Points will be awarded to eligible veterans in accordance with Federal and State laws, those details are outlined below.
• It is the successful candidate's responsibility to notify Nampa City Human Resources of any change of address and/or telephone number during the term of the eligibility list.
• Names may remain on the eligibility list for one year, or until deemed otherwise by the Police Chief and/or Human Resource Director.
• Application and position information may be found online at: www.policeapp.com Applicant must submit an online application; resumes will not be taken in lieu of the application. 

**Please note: Prior to appointment, candidate(s) will be required to pass a stringent background check to include an oral board evaluation, extensive FBI & criminal background check, polygraph examination, extensive psychological examination and evaluation, medical physical examination, driving record check, and drug/alcohol screening which is paid for by the City of Nampa.

Special Conditions:

The City of Nampa has a Drug/Alcohol Free Workplace Policy. Any offer of employment is contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug test, background check and driving check (if applicable to position).

Note regarding Veterans Status:

Candidates who qualify for veteran's preference, and who pass the administered exams of the entry-level testing process, are given veteran's preference points which are added to their overall test score. You must submit a long-form DD-214 at the Oral Board Interview, which indicates the nature of your discharge in order to receive veteran's preference.

The City of Nampa is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.