Digital Communications Dispatcher Trainee

About Position

Perform trainee duties receiving and directing emergency and non-emergency calls and utilizing emergency communications equipment to dispatch emergency response personnel to provide timely response to requests for assistance. Trainees must obtain their First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), FCIC/NCIC, and valid State of Florida 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator certifications during the probationary period.

Duties & Responsibilities

Note: Depending on assigned responsibilities, employees may perform some or all of the duties below.

Note: Incumbents function in a trainee capacity to gain proficiency in the duties listed below and become eligible for promotion to Digital Communications Dispatcher upon successful completion of the trainee program.

• Receive 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls, quickly and calmly assess the situation, enter information into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system for agency dispatch, and/ or redirect them to specific or alternate emergency responding agencies or departments.
• Connect conference calls involving two or more parties to render timely emergency assistance.
• Dispatch emergency response personnel using digital and/or analog voice communications equipment, and/or an emergency computer dispatch system.
• Create reports to identify incorrect location information received through the Automatic Location Information system in order to initiate corrective actions.
• Pinpoint the location of emergency/non-emergency calls initiated from landlines or cellular phones using a Global Positioning System (GPS) and initiate emergency callbacks to obtain additional information or to follow-up on disconnected calls.
• Type memoranda and report, duplicate, or edit emergency call recordings in response to court subpoenas and public records requests; may be required to testify in court in order to provide an accurate account of information received from emergency/non-emergency calls for assistance.
• Maintain records and reports including shift reports and operational logs.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

 Other Characteristics

• Willingness to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Willingness to perform duties at temporary emergency command centers and locations during periods of local, state, and national emergencies.

Required Minimum Education & Experience

• A high school diploma or possession of a GED certificate.

Required Pre-Employment Testing

• A passing score on pre-employment testing.

Additional Job Requirements

• Depending on assignment, employees may be required to possess a valid Florida Driver License at time of employment. Driving history will be thoroughly reviewed and may be grounds for disqualification.
• No visible tattoos on face. Tattoos on hands, neck, or arms must be covered with white, black, or neutral colored covering.
• No illegal drug sale within lifetime.
• No illegal drug use within the past 36 months. No marijuana use within the last 24 months.
• No felony convictions within lifetime.
• No misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statement, or domestic violence within lifetime.
• No dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserve Forces.
• Successful completion of a criminal background investigation including polygraph; reference, employment, and neighborhood checks; medical evaluation; and drug screening.