Communication Officer

Emergency Management Dispatcher

Klickitat County

$50,897.60 - $62,420.80 Annually

Job Purpose / Function

Receives and prioritizes emergency and non-emergency calls from the public and dispatches appropriate police, fire or emergency units when needed and monitors units in the field. Operates multi-frequency radio equipment, computer terminal and associated data recording equipment to retrieve, enter, receive and / or transmit law enforcement and public safety information.

Essential Job Duties

• Receives and evaluates incoming emergency calls from the public or agencies served and requests medical information, geographic locations or other pertinent information in order to dispatch appropriate police, fire or emergency units or provide agencies with information necessary for such assistance.
• Receives inquiries and provides information and assistance to the public; refers complaints, reports of incidents and other matters as appropriate to patrol deputies or command personnel. Responsible for completing numerous out going calls on own initiative and at the direction of others.
• Assure that thorough and accurate information is taken so that proper action can be taken. Have basic knowledge of criminal and civil law.
• Operates computer, radio, telephone, paging systems, tape recorders and other related communications equipment. Responsible for radio procedures as prescribed by F.C.C.
• Ability within six months to become certified on ACCESS / WACIC computer consoles to make inquiries or entries of relevant law enforcement data such as vehicle registration, identifications, criminal records, warrants, outstanding and stolen property. Capability and speed to retrieve information from terminal when requested by field officers.
• Maintains log of all radio transmissions, phone calls and action taken. Must accurately reflect all business performed while on duty. Ability to spell and compose comprehensive statements.
• Responsible for a complaint form that reflects nature of complaint and all relevant information available which will aid the officer and / or agency in resolving the complaint.
• Monitors the activities and location of police, fire and emergency units in the field and maintains radio contact if necessary. Know the whereabouts of all officers in the field and anticipate potential dangers to those officers; ability to calmly and efficiently pursue the prescribed course of action when the situation dictates.
• Responsible for relaying and receiving critical information to units working for / with the Klickitat County Emergency Management Department (KCSO, Washington State Patrol, Game and Fisheries patrols, etc.). Also, to cooperate and coordinate efforts for other agencies operating on the common radio frequency (Wasco County, Sherman County, Oregon State Patrol, Hood River County, etc.)
• Responsible for assisting walk-in traffic from various social and economical backgrounds at counter by taking complaint information and / or directing persons to proper agencies.
• Performs a variety of clerical duties, including typing forms and reports and filing records.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements / Minimum Qualifications