911 Dispatcher

Full Job Description:

A 9-1-1 dispatcher must respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance and information. They must provide dispatch and communication support services for police, fire, emergency, and related services.

They must be organized, adept at multi-tasking, level-headed, and trustworthy. Their work within emergency response services often places them in the middle of life or death situations, so requirements and training for these positions are often stringent, rigorous and unwavering.

Essential job functions within a 911 dispatcher’s job description will likely detail the daily duties associated with the position, which may include the following:

Required Knowledge:

911 dispatchers must generally have knowledge in:

• Knowledge of rules, regulations, and procedures
• Safety procedures, such as CPR and first aid
• Excellent customer service
• Transmitting, broadcasting, and switching systems, and computerized databases, as well as the operations and procedures for such databases
• Basic dispatch codes
• Standard abbreviations and industry terminology commonly used by emergency medical services and law enforcement agencies
• Jurisdictional boundaries, as well as thoroughfares, landmarks, public buildings and waterways within the jurisdiction 

Required Skills:

The required skills for 911 dispatchers is the ability to:

• Develop and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with fellow employees, representatives from other departments, and supervisors
• Use logic and reasoning to reach conclusions and approaches to problems
• Use judgement and decision-making skills to evaluate situations, establish priorities, and resolve matters
• Think quickly
• Work under stressful situations
• Actively listen and communicate effectively through clear speech and hearing
• To follow instructions
• Write clearly and spell correctly
• Establish priorities and pass on information as needed 

Minimum Job Requirements:

• At least 1 year of 9-1-1 dispatching
• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Citizen of United States
• Must be able to work days, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Must have LEADS certification
• 90-days probationary period required

Questions pertaining to the dispatcher position can be sent to:

Astrong@calumetparkvillage.org