PUBLIC SAFETY INFORMATION SPECIALIST (LATERAL - EXPERIENCE REQUIRED)

Public Safety Dispatcher

The City of Buckeye is seeking a Public Safety Dispatcher. This is a lateral position, and you must have a minimum of one year experience as a public safety dispatcher in a law enforcement agency to be considered.

The general purpose of this position is to ensure the timely delivery of Public Safety Services by effectively coordinating all appropriate Public Safety responders and accurately disseminating information gathered through the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in collaboration with the Real Time Information Center (RTIC).

Primary duties and responsibilities include :

• Answering incoming emergency and non-emergency calls; interviewing callers and gathering details; prioritizing calls for service and determining appropriate personnel to respond; dispatching emergency responders; relaying pertinent information to law enforcement and emergency services officers concisely; providing information and assistance to the public within the scope of authority.
• Providing detailed call information to officers as needed; maintaining status and awareness of Police patrol unit locations; monitoring message traffic and relaying information to officers.
• Entering emergency assistance calls into the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) incident logs; inputting information into the ACJIS & NCIC computer system; maintaining records and files.
• Contacting other law enforcement agencies for additional information and resources as needed, and relaying pertinent information regarding incidents.
• Notifying key City of Buckeye personnel on critical incidents; following all Department policies and procedures to assure that officer and public safety is the top priority.
• Entering and verifying warrant information and confirming warrants for other agencies.
• Performing inquiries and criminal history checks for officers through ACJIS & NCIC; sending inquiries to other agencies for warrant confirmations or general information.
• Entering data for records and reports; processing forms and record files; querying system databases as requested. Knowledge of equipment utilized in law enforcement communications including radio, computer and dispatch equipment.
• Performing other duties as assigned or required.
• Demonstrating speed, fluidity, and accuracy in concurrently operating multiple technologies under stressful and time pressure conditions.
• Typing brief, concise and accurate written statements.
• Appropriately employing the department's Records Management System suite of applications, Computer Aided Dispatch software, Evidence.com evidence management software, and other task specific software packages.
• Maintaining confidentiality and security of highly sensitive information and other records.
• Ability to act independently.
• Demonstrating strong attention to detail in locating addresses, nearby video assets and associated call related data during a call for service.
• Simultaneously listening to public safety radio transmissions, monitoring calls for service on Computer Aided Dispatch screens, and viewing selected public-private video assets.
• Observing, detecting, and appropriately reporting to dispatchers and responding officers elements of crime that are observed through video streams. Recognizing suspicious behaviors and circumstances appearing on video feeds, and recording date, time and camera location, or digitally record those activities when appropriate under policy.
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing, facts and circumstances of importance during and immediately following a police response to crime, often during dynamic and stressful conditions.
• Notifying officers of locations of crimes in progress.
• Conducting open source and restricted queries using specialized criminal justice intelligence-based databases. Providing intelligence sharing and investigative assistance to patrol, investigation, and other public safety personnel in real time.
• Operating desktop, laptop, network, and secure system computers; public safety radios and telephones; access, navigate and record when permissible under policy, disparate video systems accessible through RTIC platform; operate other equipment as assigned.
• Performing key functions requiring technical expertise and attention to detail such as entry, query, and retrieval of investigative data; location of source documents and reports from a variety of computer networks to include police department, city, state, county, and federal computer systems, as well as investigative, intelligence and open-source applications.
• Applying criminal justice and legal protocols, following all related agency policies, and exercising technical expertise in the capture, preparation, and storage of data and video work product.
• Creating and managing spreadsheets and other analytical tools as needed.
• Maintaining clarity of thought and performance of duty during stressful situations.
• Interacting with co-workers and the public with tact, diplomacy, and effectiveness.
• Participating in on-going training to remain current in work methods, procedures, and related laws.
• Accepts direction from supervisor(s) and carries out assigned tasks.

Education and experience : High School diploma or GED equivalent. One (1) year experience as a public safety dispatcher in a law enforcement agency and one (1) year of clerical and computer experience.

Necessary knowledge, skills and abilities : Knowledge of city policies and procedures; equipment utilized in law enforcement communications including radio, computer and dispatch equipment; law enforcement patrol procedures; local geographical area, road systems, and the locations of landmarks; police and fire departments' standard dispatch policies and procedures; basic principles of record keeping and records management; real time information center technology; video management software; access control software; drone as first responder programs. Skill in handling multiple tasks simultaneously, under pressure, and in emergency and stressful situations; obtaining information from hostile or emotional citizens; communicating clearly and concisely and relaying details accurately; remembering names, numbers and locations, and reading maps quickly and accurately; working under pressure of deadlines, and establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with employees, officials, other agencies and the general public; public relations and customer service; following and effectively communicating verbal and written instructions; multi-information analysis.

12-Month Goals : Successfully complete Telecommunications Operator Training and show proficiency in call taking and dispatching duties. Complete APCO PST 1 course. Obtain Level A Terminal Operator Certification.

Special requirements : Must obtain Terminal Operator Certification Level A within six months of hire if not possessed at time of hire / placement. Must be able to type a minimum of 35 words per minute. Working nights, weekends and holidays is required. Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of the information handled, successful completion of a polygraph and comprehensive background investigation is required.

Physical Demands / Work Environment : Work is performed in a fast paced, high volume call center environment.

Reports To : Public Safety Dispatcher Supervisor

Supervision Exercised : Public Safety Answering Point Supervisor

FLSA Status : Non-exempt

Equal Employment Opportunity : It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.