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City of Fairfax, VA

Dispatcher III

City of Fairfax, VA, Virginia Beach, VA, United States


Salary: $56,029.00 - $89,490.00 Annually

Location : VA 22030, VA

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 24-84

Department: Police Administration

Division: Police Administration

Opening Date: 08/19/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

Description

Applications are now being accepted for Dispatcher III in the City of Fairfax Police Department from applicants who are currently Virginia Certified Dispatchers with eight (8) or more years of police dispatching experience. Highly Qualified candidate(s) are subject to an oral interview, conditional job offer, background investigation, physical and psychological examinations. The police department reserves the right to request a polygraph. A final interview with the Chief of Police may be scheduled.

As an equal opportunity employer and in order to respond to the needs of a diverse community, minorities, women and those who are proficient in speaking a second language are encouraged to submit applications.

Assigned to the Administration Services Division of the Police Department. Work involves primary responsibility for dispatching police units on an assigned shift. Work entails the receipt and transmission of radio and telephone messages, the dispatching of emergency vehicles, and related record keeping tasks. Initially, work is performed under close supervision; however, after an initial training period, employees are expected to work independently. Work is reviewed by observation and examination of records for conformance with written directives and quality of communication services provided. The Dispatcher III will hold the primary responsibility for performing or maintaining one of the specialized positions or functions within the ECC; or have previously held one of those positions and maintain proficiency in that area as to be able to step in to fulfill those duties if required. The Dispatcher III may also be responsible for training and ensuring the proficiency of a Dispatcher I or II in performing one of the specialized positions or functions within the ECC. The Dispatcher III will maintain their status as a trainer, to be able to train new employees as a Dispatcher I. The Dispatcher III will be required to perform additional duties as required.

Examples Of Duties

Monitor, receive calls, and broadcast on police radio; receive requests for police and other emergency services by telephone or radio; determine nature of required assistance, location, and other pertinent information; answer street units and dispatch incoming calls; acknowledge civil defense and radio tests; monitor public works department radio after normal working hours; receive Fire Marshal's calls; listen to telephone monitors.

Assist citizens on walk-in basis with concerns and questions.

Supply information and assistance to other City departments.

Keep log of the daily activities of officers such as vehicle stops, time out of service, court duties, transports and units marking out on calls and back in service.

The Dispatcher III will also hold the primary responsibility for performing or maintaining one of the specialized positions or functions within the ECC; or have previously held one of those positions and maintained proficiency in that area as to be able to step in to fulfill those duties if required. The Dispatcher III may also be responsible for training and ensuring the proficiency of a Dispatcher I or II in performing one of the specialized positions or functions within the ECC. The Dispatcher III will maintain their status as a trainer, to be able to train new employees as a Dispatcher I. These specialized positions or functions within the ECC include performing a wide variety of other tasks such as maintaining vehicle tow-in records, sending letters to owners of towed vehicles not claimed, maintaining business card information, VCIN coordination, and maintaining warrant control as well as other activities that may be assigned. Dispatcher III's must be prepared to assume specialized functions or perform additional duties as directed and maintain certifications, attend training that may be required.

Answers telephone calls regarding emergency and non-emergency situations.

Enters information into the CAD system summarizing the caller's issues.

Responds to a call or emergency situation by phone to try to resolve the problem before physical help can arrive.

Contacts and dispatches Police Department.

Ensures proper disposal of information in compliance with rules and regulations.

Conducts warrant control and enters tickets.

Assists in training new dispatchers.

Run criminal histories on subjects for court files.

Enters information into National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system.

Monitors public safety radio frequencies while police are on duty.

Runs information for officers as needed through NCIC such as outstanding warrants, criminal histories; places calls to other counties to check warrant status.

Contacts tow companies to tow vehicles from traffic accidents or disabled vehicles.

Calls out emergency personnel for various tasks such as water main breaks or traffic light malfunctions.

Performs related work as assigned.

The duties listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Qualifications

Requires High School graduation or GED equivalent supplemented by specialized courses/training equivalent to completion of one year of college in emergency services, dispatch, or closely related field.

Requires eight (8) year's police dispatch experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Skill in operation of a computer.

Ability to operate radio, telephone, and computer equipment quickly and accurately.

Ability to speak clearly and concisely and to use good diction.

Ability to think and act quickly, calmly, and accurately in emergency situations.

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others.

Ability to prioritize requests for service.

Ability to learn the geography of the City in a minimal amount of time.

Must be an U.S. citizen or eligible for employment.

Must submit to psychological screening test.

Must submit to a background investigation which may include a polygraph test.

Special Certifications and Licenses:

Requires Level A certification NCIC/VCIN.

Supplemental Information

Rotating shift work, including nights, weekends and holidays. Will consider applicants willing to work part-time.