911 Emergency Communications Dispatcher I (05-2023)

Description

The Coral Springs, Parkland, and Coconut Creek Emergency Communications Center (ECC) answers all emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire, and emergency medical services. In addition to the call-taking function, the Emergency Communications Center serves as the dispatch center for the Cities of Coral Springs and Coconut Creek for Police, Fire and EMS and the City of Parkland for Fire and EMS services only. In this role, the Emergency Communications Center is responsible for the safety of police officers and firefighter/paramedics, acting as their link to the resources they need, keeping track of their status and location, and coordinating the assignment of officers to new incidents.

Inside the ECC, staff are on the job 24 hours a day protecting the residents of Coral Springs, Parkland, and Coconut Creek as the lifeline between the public and our first responders. The Coral Springs ECC became a CALEA Accredited Communications Center in 2007. We continue to be CALEA Accredited and have earned accreditation with excellence for the years 2013, 2016, and most recently in 2020. We are currently in the process for reaccreditation with CALEA for the year 2024.

Our staff is committed to the City of Coral Springs' mission statement: To be the premier city in which to live, work and raise a family.

For more information on our City and Emergency Communications Center, please visit the following site:

City of Coral Springs Police Department website: https://www.coralsprings.org/Government/Departments/Police/911-Emergency-Communications-Dispatcher

Examples of Duties

The current starting salary for a 911 Emergency Communications Dispatcher I is $57,348.04 with a lifetime top-out of $85,224.64. This range is periodically assessed for potential adjustment/increase. Candidates with experience in a police and/or fire communications center may be eligible to be hired above the established starting salary.

Newly hired 911 Emergency Communications Dispatchers will start at the level of Dispatcher I. Upon full completion of training (to include Call Taking, Two Channel, FD and PD Radios) employees will be moved to Dispatcher II. The current salary range for this classification is $65,124.80 with a lifetime top-out of $96,781.65. This range is periodically assessed for potential adjustments/increase.

Under general supervision, the purpose of the position is to perform responsible, specialized work in the receiving, prioritizing and dispatching of emergency and non-emergency telephone calls through the police/fire communications system. Employee is responsible for aiding emergency callers to establish composure in order to obtain essential information to document and dispatch the appropriate emergency personnel. Position facilitates the appropriate response for each call placed for service, while maintaining heavy radio traffic for incoming calls for service by units in the field. The employee works within the scope of established laws, rules, and regulations of the work, however, is expected to exercise considerable judgment and initiative in performing work under the established policies and procedures.

The Communications Unit works 24 hours, 365 days a year including holidays. Applicants are expected to be available to work shifts that may include weekends, late night and/or holidays as well as mandatory overtime.

• Alerts other agencies (hospitals, air rescue, etc.) as needed regarding the status of emergency transport. Enters information from callers into a Computer-Assisted Dispatch system (CAD) or prepares complaint cards.
• Research status of guns, vehicles, parts, boats and other items to determine if stolen. Notify the appropriate agency of the results of research.
• Calls for tow trucks and taxis; request specialty unit and outside agency back up as needed.
• All additional duties as assigned.
• Dispatches police and fire vehicles/personnel to emergency and non-emergency requests for assistance based on zone assignment and availability. Determines appropriate apparatus needed to be dispatched for each call. Multi-task between phone, radio and dispatch Tracks and logs available and unavailable units in the field.
• Communicates and assists each caller equally without regard to age, race, sex or dialect; identifies emergency or potential crisis situations and adjusts dialogue or activities accordingly; attempts to calm frantic or fearful callers.
• Receives telephone calls through the police/fire communications system; assumes control of the conversation; ascertains the nature of the call; prioritizes emergency and non-emergency situations and needs; routes information to appropriate police, fire and rescue units. Provide essential emergency instructions to callers prior to the arrival of police or fire units.
• Utilizes the records retrieval system to file paperwork, retrieves information as necessary, and organize emergency records.
• Notifies appropriate authorities of missing children information, accident reports involving children; notifies hospitals and emergency medical staff of incoming patient information.
• Monitors radio frequencies, and maintains open contact with officers to provide administrative support as needed. Enters critical information into the Florida Crime Information Center/National Crime Information Center (FCIC/NCIC) systems for the dissemination of information on vehicle registration, wanted persons, warrants, endangered runaways, probation/parole, early inmate release, violent offenders, sexual offenders, predators, terrorists, protection or restraining order.
• Operates a multi-line call system to receive 911 emergency and non-emergency calls, and operates basic office equipment.

Typical Qualifications

• AED, CPR, and TDD Certifications preferred.
• This position requires cognitive clarity and exceptional communication skills. To be considered for employment you MUST NOT have smoked or ingested any illegal drugs within 24 months of application. Drug use within 24 months of application serves as an automatic disqualifier. Drug use is verified as part of the Lie Detector portion of the application process.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and significant ability to work under stress.
• One (1) year of previous work experience.

Supplemental Information

EXAMINATION PROCESS:
The following includes all steps required to process for the position. Continuing on with each step of the process is contingent upon successfully completing the previous step. Candidates can be dismissed at any point throughout the consideration process.

Communication regarding scheduling and updates will be posted to your governmentjobs.com account and/or emailed, please check your account regularly.

If you have any questions regarding the status of your application or about the hiring process, please contact HR Partner, Alyssa Steckler, at [email protected] or 954-346-1320.

The duration of the hiring process typically takes between 4 and 6 weeks, however, may be up to 90 days depending on the department's hiring needs.

• CritiCall Test- Dispatcher Pre-Employment Testing
• Communications Shadowing
• Application review
• Psychological Evaluation
• Computerized Voice Stress Analysis Examination and Fingerprints
• Post-Offer Medical Examination and Drug Test
• Interview with Deputy Chief of Police
• Extensive Background Investigation
• Formal Interview
• Apply via our online application
• Completion of 15 month probationary period*

• The Public Safety Telecommunicator probationary period is 15 months. Public Safety Telecommunicators must have completed the department training program and be working independently 12 months from their date of hire to remain employed. Months 12 through 15 are designed for new, fully trained Public Safety Telecommunicators to demonstrate proficiency prior to release from probation.

For A pplicants From Outside of the South Florida Area
It is a significant time and financial investment for someone not currently residing in the South Florida area to process for this position. The bullets below indicate the number of visits you will need to make to the South Florida area in order to complete the hiring process.

• Background Investigation/Conditional Offer of Employment – Takes 2 to 4 Weeks – Do not need to be present
• Final Offer of Employment
• CVSA/Lie Detector Test (Half Day)
• Final Visit – Half a Day
  • Pre-Employment Medical Exam and Drug Screen – One Day
• Psychological Exam (Full Day)
• Second Visit – 3 Successive Days, Minimum
  • Panel Interview (Half Day)
  • CVSA/Lie Detector Test (Half Day)
  • Psychological Exam (Full Day)
• Criticall Test
• Pre-Employment Medical Exam and Drug Screen – One Day
• First Visit – One Day
  • Criticall Test
• Panel Interview (Half Day)

Progressing in the process is not guaranteed and you may be released from the process at ANY of the steps above. Additionally completing all steps in the process does not guarantee employment.

The City of Coral Springs is firmly committed to offering an equitable, drug-free work environment. We do not discriminate in any employment-related decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability or other similar factors that are not job-related. This commitment is practiced in all aspects of our personnel policies, programs, practices, recruitment, examination, appointment, training, promotion, retention and other related activities. When requested, the City of Coral Springs will make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Unit at [email protected] if special assistance is needed.