DESCRIPTION

Now is the time to advance your Dispatch career by joining our team of dedicated professionals in the most beautiful communities in Northern Nevada, Douglas County. Come and help us to build a community we are all proud to call home.

**The County offers a signing bonus of $500.00 to a new hire employee upon successful evaluation at the employee's 6-month anniversary.**

A Lateral Emergency Communications Specialist must possess the following:

One (1) full year of public safety dispatch experience with a public safety agency within the last three (3) years AND have obtained one or more of the following certifications from the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (EFD, EPD, EMD), or equivalent certifications. If you do not possess this required experience we invite you to apply for our apprentice Emergency Communications Specialist position by clicking on the following link: Link to Posting

Visit Community video tour: Link to the page
About Douglas County: About Douglas County (Download PDF reader)

COMPENSATION &BENEFITS:
0-3% Merit upon successful completion of the probationary period and 0-3% annual merit increases thereafter based upon evaluation score.
Benefits include:

• Health Insurance: County provides medical, dental and vision coverage for employees and dependents with co-payment by employee dependent and/or family status.
• Vacation: Accrued at the rate of 4.6154 hours per pay period, or 120 hours per year (increase with years of service).
• Sick Leave: Earned at the rate of 3.3846 hours per pay period, or 88 hours per year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Administrative Leave: per status
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employee Retirement System (PERS), 29.75% employer-paid.
• Deferred Compensation: the County has a voluntary deferred compensation program.
• Douglas County is a drug, alcohol and smoke-free workplace.
• No Nevada state income tax.
• Stable, friendly/family environment. Fosters internal talent with training/educational programs and encourages career advancement.

** Please Note: This recruitment will remain open until recruitment needs are satisfied. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. H iring may occur early in the recruiting process. **

This position works Rotating shifts every four months and staff can bid for shifts in November for the upcoming year. Shift hours are below:
Day Shift 0645 am – 3:15 pm
Swing Shift 2:45 pm – 11:15 pm
Graveyard 10:45 pm – 07:15 am
Responsible for responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services; identifies and dispatches appropriate public safety units; complies with County policies and procedures to ensure the safety of all public safety responders and the public.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides public safety dispatch services for emergency and non-emergency purposes for various agencies such as Douglas County Sheriff's Office, East Fork Fire Protection District, Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District, Washoe Tribal Police, and Alpine County's Sheriff, Fire and Medical services; takes emergency and non-emergency calls for animal control and general improvement districts and other utilities; keeps track of a wide variety of public safety responders, resources, personnel, incidents and trends.
• Receives, screens, and takes appropriate action on all emergency service calls to include 911 calls from the public requesting law enforcement, fire and EMS; determines nature and location of emergency, determines priority, dispatches emergency responders/units as necessary in accordance with established department policies and procedures; relays pertinent information to law enforcement and emergency services officers in a concise, organized and understandable manner.
• Enters emergency assistance call information into the computer-aided dispatch (CAD); determines location of call; inputs information into the NCJIS and NCIC systems; enters data for reports and records, processes forms and record files; queries system databases as requested; maintains records and files in accordance with established standards.
• Provides information, instructions and assistance to the public within scope of authority; provides detailed call information to first responders as needed; maintains status and awareness of unit locations; monitors message traffic and relays information as required.
• Receives and relays information regarding incidents and other activities to appropriate agencies and staff.
• Notifies key County staff on critical incidents; follows all Department policies and procedures to assure that first responder and public safety is the top priority; contacts other law enforcement and emergency services agencies for additional information and resources as needed.
• Performs inquiries and criminal history checks for law enforcement staff through NCIC and NCJIS systems; collects statistical data for reports; updates and ensures the accuracy of database.
• Receives and processes non-emergency calls; interviews callers and gathers information, prioritizes calls for service, and determines appropriate staff to respond; dispatches emergency responders if appropriate; transfers calls as appropriate.
• Deals with sensitive information in a discrete and professional manner ensuring confidentiality; maintains a positive customer service attitude at all times with the public, user agencies, co-workers and supervisors.
• Assists in the development and training of staff; attends in-service sessions as required.
• Participates in the Quality Assurance Program as required by reviewing medical and fire calls for service compliance to IAED and Douglas County standards; provides leadership, training and updates to team members as required.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and Experience:
High School diploma/GED; one (1) full year of public safety dispatch experience with a public safety agency within the last three (3) years and one (1) year of customer service experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience AND satisfactory completion of Basic ECS Training Program within 12 months of hire.

Pursuant to NRS 284.4066 and Douglas County Policy 100.14, position in this job classification has been identified as affecting public safety. Persons offered employment in this position must submit to a pre-employment questionnaire.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:

• Radio-telephone operations and procedures.
• Procedures used in operating Computer Aided Dispatch and 9-1-1 systems.
• Policies and procedures of receiving and processing emergency calls.
• Computer systems/software currently used in the Communications Department.
• Geographic features and directional information.
• General law enforcement codes, practices and methods.
• Call screening techniques and phone etiquette.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including records management.
• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.

Skill in:

• Working under pressure, exercising good judgment and making sound and timely decisions in emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Understanding and following oral and written instructions.
• Communicating clearly and concisely in writing during emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Recalling, identifying, and categorizing information.
• Performing the full range of public safety dispatching and 9-1-1 duties.
• Effectively listening to, communicating with, and eliciting information from upset, emotional and irate individuals.
• Dealing successfully with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:
Position requires obtaining the certificates, licenses, and registrations within six (6) months – one (1) year of employment (training is provided by the department).

• International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (EFD, EPD, EMD)
• APCO CTO
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
• Tactical Dispatcher
• National Incident Management System (NIMS)
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
• Nevada Criminal Justice System (NCJIS)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment; stamina to sit for extended periods of time; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in over the telephone and radio systems.

Work is performed in a high call volume emergency dispatch environment, where there is limited opportunity for physical movement and the dispatcher must remain alert and responsive while observing computer display screen for uninterrupted periods of time; may be subject to extended work periods without relief, periods of high call volume, and stressful situations in a fluid and dynamic environment.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background/screening.
• Douglas County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.

This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.