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9-1-1 Employment

Interested in a career in public safety?

Chilton County E9-1-1 is accepting resumes for the position of Public Safety Telecommunicator.

How to Apply: Interested applicants should review the remainder of this page and then read the Candidate Orientation page for further directions.

Basic Job Description

The Public Safety Telecommunicator's primary responsibility is to provide emergency and non-emergency communications response to individuals and entities requesting law enforcement, fire and/or emergency medical services. Through professional information gathering, the incumbent determines the nature of the call, whether a response is necessary and what type of assistance or information is needed. Incumbent is responsible for dispatching law enforcement and fire/EMS incidents. For calls requiring law enforcement/fire/EMS response, the incumbent dispatches the appropriate agency to the scene, maintaining proper logs and paperwork (computer and/or manual) of all units dispatched. The incumbent is additionally responsible for retrieving and accurately relaying to requesting field units, information contained in the local, state and national computer systems, and for entering and maintaining law enforcement data in the appropriate computer systems. The incumbent will have the skills necessary to dispatch both law enforcement and fire/EMS, as well as, call taker positions as directed. EEO

Essential Job Functions:

  • Ability to work varying shifts.
  • Answers 9-1-1 voice and TTY telephones calls requesting emergency services. Questions callers to determine the nature and location of the problem; extracts and records essential information and, when appropriate, provides emergency pre-arrival instructions as dictated by predetermined emergency dispatch protocols. Calls back disconnects to determine nature and location of the problem and enters information as appropriate.
  • Dispatches, via a radio console or other electronic means, emergency and other calls requiring law enforcement and or fire and/or EMS response according to priority and availability of field units. Maintains strict radio discipline at all times. Complies with FCC regulations and agency policies/procedures in the transmission of all radio traffic.
  • Monitors dispatched units' activities, receives and transmits to field units updated information as it's received.
  • Enters incident data into computer aided dispatch system and maintains various automated and manual logs, records and files related to call taking activities.
  • Accurately relays to requesting law enforcement field units, information contained in the local, state, and national computer systems (e.g. information regarding motor vehicles, driver's licenses, wants and warrants, etc.). Enters and maintains law enforcement data in the system(s) as appropriate.
  • Answers administrative telephone lines, provides routine non-technical information upon request, and refers all other inquiries to the proper person or department.
  • Must be able to type 35 words per minute (WPM).

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Oral and Written Communications: Must have the ability to actively listen to others for an understanding of their needs and situations; ability to speak English with sufficient clarity to be understood on the telephone, radio or in person. Must be able to communicate information professionally and precisely to the proper recipient. Must be able to read and understand written correspondence, memoranda and directives. Must have the ability to report events and information in writing legibly and accurately, using proper English grammar and structure.

Judgment: Must have the ability to act in a decisive manner, using good judgment. Must have the ability to maintain objectivity in the decision making process; the ability to effectively prioritize situations and information and make appropriate decisions based on information provided. Must have ability to learn and apply new information; the ability to handle a variety of rapidly flowing Information at once; the ability to remember numerous details.

Interpersonal Relationships: Must be consistent in dealing with people. Must have the ability to detach from callers' emotions, yet project an image of empathy (i.e., avoid personal involvement). Must have the ability to maintain appropriate and constructive behavior and attitude in response to difficult or adverse situations. Must have the ability and willingness to accept criticism and/or discipline; the ability and willingness to accept responsibility for actions. Must have the ability to work cooperatively with supervisors and establish cohesive, effective relationships with peers (i.e., team worker abilities). Must be able to work all shifts of a 24-hour day period and be available for emergency call-in overtime.

Professionalism: Must have the ability to act in a mature, dependable fashion; ability and willingness to maintain dependable work habits such as reporting to work on time, with little prompting and intervention. Must represent the organization to other agencies and citizens with a courteous, helpful, accurate and business-like attitude in all telephone and personal contact. Must have the willingness and ability to respect private, confidential information; the ability and willingness to support and carry out directives.

Quality of Work: Must be able to provide high quality, accurate work. Must be able to perform multiple tasks simultaneously; be able to do several things at one time and remain focused under stress (i.e. multi-tasking abilities). Must have the ability to adjust to new or unique situations, and the ability and willingness to show initiative in completing work assignments.

Physical Abilities: Must have the ability to hear and understand sound sources coming through a communications headset and/or radio and/or standard telephone receiver, including the ability to hear and understand other outside sound sources while wearing a communications headset (i.e. the ability to hear sound sources not coming through the headset; ability to hear through both ears). Must have the ability to speak and write English clearly. Must have the ability to read and discern visual images on a variety of media, including the ability to read and understand maps, and the ability to distinguish between colors on a color-coded computer screen. Must have the ability to type accurately on a computer keyboard while dispatching responders and notifying other responders as necessary. Must have the ability to records names and numbers accurately (i.e., not transpose numbers and/or letters).

Technical Knowledge: Must acquire and maintain a working knowledge of public safety communications equipment, practices and procedures including but not limited to:

  • Knowledge of functions and operation of computer aided dispatch (CAD) system and manual call recording/dispatch system.
  • Knowledge of functions and operation of telephone console, radio console, and other standard communications equipment.
  • Knowledge of FCC rules and regulations applicable to radio broadcasts.
  • Knowledge of proper use of ANI/ALI displays/information.
  • Knowledge of basic telephone and radio techniques/procedures for handling incoming emergency calls and dispatching response units.
  • Knowledge of basic law enforcement /fire/EMS complaint/dispatch terminology.
  • Knowledge of proper use of emergency pre-arrival protocol systems.
  • Knowledge of proper use of local, state and national computer systems and functions.
  • Knowledge of legal liability issues common to emergency call taking, public safety dispatching and record keeping.
  • Knowledge of the geographical area served (e.g., familiarity with street names/layout, landmarks, numbering schemes, rivers, lakes, freeways, etc.).
  • Knowledge of proper preparation of required reports logs and forms.
  • Knowledge of agency policies, procedures and standards of expected performance.
  • Knowledge of available resource materials and their use in performing job duties (e.g., manuals, directories, maps, etc).

Statements included in this description are intended to reflect, in general, the duties and responsibilities of this position and are not to be interpreted as being all inclusive. The employee may be assigned other duties that are not specifically included.

Equal Employment Opportunity

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at the CHILTON COUNTY 9-1-1 DISTRICT will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. The CHILTON COUNTY 9-1-1 DISTRICT does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Whenever possible, the CHILTON COUNTY 9-1-1 DISTRICT may use discretion to promote highly qualified current employees to fill an available position rather than hire from the outside.

The CHILTON COUNTY 9-1-1 DISTRICT will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

Read this next - Candidate Orientation page