Public Safety Dispatcher/911 (2 Positions)

Salary: $23.20 - $31.22 HourlyLocation : Grand Island, NEJob Type: Full TimeJob Number: 1035-0824Department: Emergency ManagementOpening Date: 08/16/2024Closing Date: ContinuousDescription Perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in receiving incoming calls for public safety emergency assistance and the dispatching of necessary units; receive non-emergency after-hour calls for the City and County departments; and monitor teletype communications. Essential FunctionsDisplay honest, trustworthy, and ethical behavior when dealing with internal and external customers. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.Regular attendance that is punctual and dependable is required.Receive emergency and non-emergency calls from the public requesting police, sheriff, fire, ambulance or other public safety services; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priority and dispatch emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures; use a variety of telecommunications equipment to dispatch, page or otherwise communicate with emergency personnel from various agencies as necessary.Maintain contact with subjects requesting medical assistance; provide instructions until responding unit arrives at scene.Maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of field units; maintain daily log of calls and units dispatched.Enter, update and retrieve information from teletype networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information; type and transmit broadcasts to state agencies.Receive information regarding hazardous weather watches and warnings; dispatch information to appropriate personnel in a four county area; activate indoor and outdoor warning systems during adverse weather.Answer City and County switchboard and direct calls appropriately; answer non-emergency public service calls for assistance; answer maintenance service emergencies during evenings, on weekends and holidays; dispatch appropriate on-call City or County staff.Monitor security, fire, flood, generator and miscellaneous alarms for various agencies and businesses.Perform data entry and routine clerical work; perform filing, typing and minor machine maintenance; test and inspect equipment as required; notify supervisor in case of equipment malfunction or failure.Coordinate activities with those of other public safety agencies and provide information or assistance as necessary.Perform related duties as assigned. QualificationsKnowledge of:Basic Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations governing operation of radio telephone transmitting and receiving systems.Standard radio broadcasting and dispatch procedures and rules.Policies and procedures used in receiving, processing and dispatching emergency calls.Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation and grammar.Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.Ability to:Learn the geographic features and streets within the area served.Operate radio or telecommunications receiving and transmitting equipment.Follow standard radio broadcasting procedures and rules.Learn department procedures and policies pertaining to the dispatching of City and County emergency equipment and personnel and those of other user agencies.Work under pressure, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.Hearing that will allow individual to perform all essential job tasks.Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.Learn to operate computerized crime center network to receive and dispatch information.Demonstrate manual dexterity sufficient to operate computer terminal and other common office equipment.Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.Work various shifts as assigned, including weekends and holidays.Understand and follow oral and written instructions.Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Supplemental InformationAny combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:Experience:Customer service, dispatching or call center experience is preferred. Training:Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.License or Certification: Possession of, or ability to obtain, certification in the operation of the National Crime Information Computer within twelve (12) months of hire. Possession of, or ability to obtain, certification as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher within twelve (12) months of hire. Possession of, or ability to obtain, certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within twelve (12) months of hire. Completion of 40 hour Basic Telecommunicator Course within 12 months of hire.Working Hours:Must be able to work in a 24/7 work environment including working over the night shift. Position works five days per week which include weekends and holidays.Residency:Must reside within a 45 mile radius of the City of Grand Island. Residency is required within six (6) months of date of hire.Exam:An exam will be administered to finalists. Finalists will be notified of the testing details. Salary:Position will start at the entry level of the City's salary table. Consideration may be given if experience exceeds entry level qualifications. Other:Bilingual in Spanish is preferred but not required.Candidates are subject to a background check. Rates Effective January 1, 2025 and aresubject to change.This is a general guide for the purpose of informing all new employees of benefits. Coverage for all benefits, with the exception of the retirement savings plan, is effective the first of the month following one full calendar month of full time employment. Payroll deduction will begin in the month prior to the effective date of coverage. The retirement savings plan is effective on the first day of employment.HEALTH INSURANCE: Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage provided to the employee and dependents. There are two options: a Qualified High Deductible Plan with an HSA, or a Traditional PPO plan. If your spouse is eligible for coverage on their employer's group health plan, spousal coverage with the City is not available.The semi-monthly premiums for the High Deductible Plan: ($3300/$5800 deductible) Employee only $ 30.35 Employee 2/4 premium $ 86.77 Employee and Family $177.02The semi-monthly premiums for the Traditional PPO Plan: ($1000/$2000 deductible) Employee only $123.24 Employee 2/4 $231.68 Employee and Family $360.60DENTAL INSURANCE: Delta Dental coverage provided to employee and dependents. The employee is responsible for a portion of the premium. $4.65 for Single, $8.78 for Emp. 2/4 or $14.09 for Family semi-monthly. VISION INSURANCE: EyeMed Vision coverage is available to employees and dependents. The employee is responsible for the full premium. Employee only - $7.09; Employee/Spouse - $13.88; Employee/Children - $14.61; Family - $21.48. All rates are monthly payroll deductions. LIFE INSURANCE: Securian/Ochs Life Insurance coverage provided for employee ($50,000), spouse ($10,000), and dependents ($5,000 each), with premiums paid by the City. Supplemental life insurance available for employee and dependents through payroll deduction. RETIREMENT PLAN: Mandatory Ameritas Retirement Plan - 6% of gross earnings matched by the City of Grand Island. Effective on date of employment. Four year vesting schedule. Voluntary after-tax contributions up to 10% - not matched by City. DEFERRED COMP: Five optional Deferred Compensation Plans which allow pre-tax contributions up to $23,000 per year. LONG-TERM DISABILITY: CIGNA - LTD provided for employee. Pays a portion (60%, maximum of $8500 per month) of employee's salary should he/she becomes disabled. CAFETERIA/125 PLAN: Optional participation by the employee. Can be used for medical expenses, non-employer sponsored premiums and/or dependent daycare. VEBA PLAN (HRA): MidAmerica. Post-employment plan to be used for post-employment medical expenses. Contributions made by the City. PAID VACATION: Upon completion of the 6-month introductory period an employee is eligible to take 40 hours of vacation time. The employee will accrue an additional 40 hours in the first 6 months following the introductory period. (80 hours in year 2 - 4; 115 hours in years 5 - 9; 136 hours in years 10 - 14; 160 hours in years 15 - 19; 178 hours in years 20 - 24; and 200 hours in year 25 and thereafter.) PAID HOLIDAYS: Nine holidays and two personal leave days. If hired after April 1st, personal leave will be available October 1st. MEDICAL LEAVE: Accrual of 8 hours per month which is cumulative to a maximum of 1,339 hours.01 The information provided to these Supplemental Questions will be used in combination with the employment application to determine whether candidates' meet the qualification requirements and/or the final score. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in the application being rejected or receiving a lower score. Please do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questions. When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected or my receiving a lower examination score. I also understand that I may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions. However, I may attach a resume to the application to provide additional information. I acknowledge I have read and understand the above information. 02 Do you possess a high school diploma or equivalent? Yes No 03 Describe your experience keyboarding. Please indicate the number of words per minute. 04 What computer programs are you proficient using? 05 Interpersonal skills are important skills to possess when interacting with the public. Describe your ability to appropriately assess to the needs, feelings, and capabilities of others; and adjust approaches to suit different people and situations. 06 Detail your work experience in relationship to emergency response plan and explain one example of an incident/crisis you participated in. ( When, where and results) 07 Describe your professional experience communicating over the telephone. 08 Describe your personal disaster preparedness. 09 In demanding times, this position requires you to work long hours with infrequent breaks. Are you able to work within these circumstances? Yes No 10 The position has a residency requirement within six months of hire. If hired for the position, I understand I will be required to meet the residency requirements. I understand the requirement. 11 This position requires a fingerprint background check with the National Crime Information Computer (NCIC). I agree to submit to a full set of fingerprints to the City of Grand Island as an applicant for the Public Safety Dispatcher/911 position if I am selected for the position. I hereby authorize the City of Grand Island to forward my fingerprints to the Nebraska State Patrol for identification and to confirm information I have provided to the City of Grand Island in my job application. Do you understand these requirements? Yes No 12 Bilingual is preferred, but not required. Are you bilingual? If so, what language(s)? 13 This position requires you to work various shifts that cover all hours of the day and all days of the week including holidays. If there is any reason that you are unable to work any particular hours of the day, or days of the week, please explain any restrictions you may have. 14 Candidates offered employment will be subject to a pre-employment/post-offer physical and drug screen. Do you understand the requirement? I understand the requirement. I do not understand the requirement. Required Question