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EMERGENCY SERVICES DISPATCHER
Opening Date: February 18, 2021
Salary Range: $21.254 – $27.127/hour
Closing Date: March 14, 2021
Testing Dates: March 22 – 24, 2021
NATURE OF POSITION
Receive incoming calls for ambulance, fire, and law enforcement assistance. Take control of calls and interrogate to obtain all information necessary to dispatch the appropriate units. Dispatch the appropriate units and monitor radio frequencies to maintain the safety of responding field personnel.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
General direction and oversight are provided by an Emergency Services Dispatch Supervisor.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Employees of the City of Walla Walla are expected to model and foster the City’s core values: Customer Focus - Excellence – Stewardship - Communication - Leadership – Integrity
2. Employees of the Police Department are expected to model and foster the Department’s core values: Service – Pride – Integrity and Return with Honor in all endeavors.
3. Receive incoming calls from the public requesting emergency and non-emergency assistance; achieve and maintain control of call and provide proper interrogation to obtain information necessary to determine priority of response.
4. Dispatch appropriate units or provide appropriate information as required, while simultaneously maintaining radio contact with and the status of field unit.
5. Maintain computer aided dispatch (CAD) record log of all calls.
6. Maintain radio contact with units on assignment.
7. Enter information received from radio or telephone into CAD system accurately and quickly.
8. Operate a variety of equipment as necessary to perform vehicle registration, criminal, warrant, and driver's license checks and provides officers with other information as requested.
9. Enter wanted persons, stolen vehicles, and other information into law enforcement information networks.
10. Send, receive, and disperse information by computer, teletype, telephone, or other methods.
11. Prepare, receive, and process a variety of law enforcement records and public safety reports; release requested records in conformance with department policies and procedures.
12. Provide Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) first aid and CPR instructions by phone according to established procedures.
13. Perform typing and other general clerical functions as required.
14. Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
15. Serve as first point of contact for dissemination of public information from diverse agencies including Public Works, Schools, Social Services, Hospitals, Emergency Management, etc.
16. Develop and maintain a basic working knowledge of general state laws and local ordinances as they pertain to questions from the general public.
17. May serve as a presenter for Public Education tasks.
18. May serve as a trainer for other Dispatch personnel.
OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Demonstrate punctual, regular, and reliable attendance which is essential for successful job performance.
2. Present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; assure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.
3. Execute assignments, projects, and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes; work independently and effectively with little direction.
4. Demonstrate good judgment and employ critical thinking to execute duties, identify issues, seek solutions, and recommend improvements in support of departmental goals.
5. Provide assistance to staff and higher-level management; participate in resolving operational or interpersonal concerns; participate in training, meetings, and on committees as assigned.
6. Respect the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Computer operation and use of application programs.
• Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), telephone first aid and CPR techniques.
• Type at 40 words per minute.
• Hear and understand radio transmissions.
• Communicate effectively in writing.
• Speak clearly and concisely and communicate effectively orally with persons in a variety of emotional states.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Learn radio broadcast procedures and rules.
• Learn to read and interpret maps and determine locations of incidents.
• Learn to operate and use all mechanical/electronic equipment used to support the dispatch function.
• Learn ambulance, fire, and law enforcement terminology.
• Work cooperatively with others and exercise good judgment while under extreme stress in emergency situations.
• Ability to work in a 24/7 work environment, including holidays.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment; computer operation and use of application programs.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Sitting for extended periods of time; wearing headsets; using repetitive hand and body movements; hearing and speaking sufficiently to accurately exchange and relay information, at times under extreme stress.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Confined, high stress office environment with considerable distractions, involving 24 hours per day shift work.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
High school diploma, GED or equivalent, and two years general clerical experience, including computer data entry and retrieval or two years’ experience in a profession involving direct customer service and multi-tasking
in a high energy environment, or two years’ experience in emergency services. An Associate degree in a liberal arts field may substitute for required years of experience. Applicants must be able to type 40 w.p.m. and be computer literate. First Aid, CPR and ACCESS certifications within 6 months of appointment; a background investigation must verify no prior criminal conviction or activity; incumbents must obtain an Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certificate within one year of appointment. Must successfully complete State Telecommunicator training within one year.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bilingual in Spanish.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE:
To be considered for this position, a completed City application, resume and $15.00 testing fee must be returned to the Human Resources office by March 14, 2021. You can pay by check, money order, or you have the option of contacting the Finance Department at (509) 527-4423 and paying with a credit/debit card. Applications may be found on the Human Resources page of the City of Walla Walla website: www.wallawallawa.gov.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will participate in a testing process consisting of a written exam, typing test, and an oral interview. A score of 70% is required to pass the written exam, and candidates must be able to type 40 wpm to pass the typing test. The testing is scheduled for March 22 through March 24 as follows:
March 22, 2021: A written test will be administered starting at 8:30 a.m. Anyone passing the written test with a minimum score of 70% is eligible to participate in the typing test, beginning at 2:00 p.m. A list of candidates who pass the written and are eligible to continue in the testing process will be posted on the front door of the Police Department by 1:00 p.m. After the typing test, the top fifteen candidates will be called by 6:00 p.m. to schedule their oral interview. Should a tie occur for 15th place, those candidates will also be scheduled for an oral interview.
March 23 & 24, 2021: Oral Panel Interviews will begin at 8:00 a.m.
Veteran’s Preference points will be given to eligible candidates. Veteran’s Preference points are added to the final score following completion of all portions of the exam.
The incumbent will serve a twelve-month trial service period. Completed application packages must be submitted via USPS, email or fax to:
CITY OF WALLA WALLA-HR
15 N. Third Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Email to hr@wallawallawa.gov or faxed to (509) 524-7935.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: The City of Walla Walla will provide reasonable accommodation to disabled applicants if requested. Please notify the Human Resources office at least 5 days prior to the need.
NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER / AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT EMPLOYER
THE CITY OF WALLA WALLA DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RELIGION, AGE OR DISABILITY IN EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES.
MINORITIES AND WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
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