Easter Seals Jobs

Communications Trainee

Job Summary

Under supervision of the Dispatch Manager or his/her designee, learns through practice and study, and performs a variety of duties involved in the operation of the Emergency Services Systems and various communication devices to receive, route, relay, and dispatch calls for emergency and non-emergency police, fire, emergency medical, emergency management, and other services.

Distinguishing Characterisitcs

This is a trainee level and closely supervised position in the Communications series. The incumbent is expected to learn the full range of duties and procedures of the communications function, meet the necessary education and/or certifications for the Communications Specialist I classification, and be reclassified to Communications Specialist I within 12 months of successful employment.

Essential Functions

The duties listed below are examples of the work typically performed by an employee in this position. Performance of these functions is the reason the job exists. An employee may not be assigned all duties listed and may be assigned duties which are not listed below.

1. Answers and administers emergency 911 and non-emergency phone calls; retrieves, processes, and disseminates information while following standard operating procedures; maintains specialized safety bulletins; and tracks and reports status of officers, staff, emergency personnel, and apparatus.
2. Determines and acts accordingly for emergency, non-emergency, and general communications; using Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) retrieves, processes, and manages information including, but not limited to, mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, personal criminal and other background information, contact information, incident information, specialized safety bulletins, and status of officers/fire staff/emergency personnel and apparatus.
3. Appropriately interprets and applies federal, state, and local regulations, policies, and procedures governing dispatch operations; maintains a high level of mental fortitude at all times including during emergency situations.
4. Multi-tasks and prioritizes in a timely manner; oftentimes performs all duties of the job under extremely stressful conditions, including during multiple emergency incidents occurring simultaneously, oftentimes with multiple frequencies and emergency 911 calls, internal and external participants, and other activities occurring simultaneously.
5. Maintains strong and current familiarity with major roads, streets, areas, neighborhoods, prominent landforms and uses, and public facilities within county boundaries; maintains general and current familiarity with regions abutting the county; maintains a strong and current working knowledge of general automatic and mutual aid services and areas.
6. As directed, assists all aspects of communications on a countywide basis, inclusive of the Communications and Information Technology (IT) Departments and their functions, mountaintop and other repeaters, frequency allocations and licensing, APCO requirements, and all other communications within the county.
7. Assists in training activities and participates in educational opportunities related to communications as well as emergency management as applicable to the communications function; engages in continuous education, training, re-certification, and other professional development related to the position.
8. Make decisions which are consistent with the mission, goals, and objectives, and unique attributes of the department; exhibits strong and sustained desire to learn about each community in Storey County and their specific needs.
9. Represents the county and the department in the court of law if necessary.
10. Demonstrates positive attitude and progressive actions through the display of professionalism, courtesy, tact, punctuality, attendance, and discretion in all interactions with coworkers, supervisors, and the public; use commo sense discretion with no supervision; remain safe, socially moral, lawful, affective, adaptive, and efficient.
11. Maintains all required certifications and licenses; attends and participates in professional group sessions; stays abreast of new trends and innovations related to the field.
12. Responds to call-out in emergencies other than normal working hours. For example, responds to and actively participates in all-hazard Incident Command Systems (ICS); provides assistance in the integration of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organization ICS structure; assists in coordinating responses among various jurisdictions and functional agencies, both public and private; and assists in establishing common processes for planning and managing resources in the ICS; assists departments on their emergency management and ICS plans.

Qualifications

Knowledge of

• Federal, state, and local codes, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to the Communications Center and its functions.
• Terms and acronyms commonly used in the assigned position; operating characteristics of the NCIS and CJIS systems and other software programs to understand and perform a variety of research.
• Operating characteristics of a variety of communications equipment and tools used in the area of emergency dispatch including TDD, radio scanner, intercom system, multi-channel radio system, Dictaphone recorder, and 911 system.
• EMD and fire district standards, policies and procedures mandated by the Storey County Fire Protection District.
• Streets, roads, businesses, neighborhoods, remote areas, boundaries, districts, geography, and zones that represent the geographical area of responsibility.
• Practices and procedures of dispatching law enforcement, fire, and EMS calls for service.
• Incident Command System.
• Multi-jurisdictional mutual aid agreements.
• Hazardous materials incident according to DOT guidelines.
• Resources and agencies available for referral.
• Principles of confidential file management and record keeping.
• Current practices, literature, and research methods in the field of communications and emergency management; fundamental principles and practices of local emergency management; training may be provided during employment.
• Applicable laws, codes, and regulations; legal, ethical, and professional rules of conduct for public-sector employees.
• Correct English usage including grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Ability to

Read and interpret street and geographical maps, aerial imagery, and GIS images.

Receive, prioritize, and transmit a large volume of radio, telephone, and teletype transmissions properly, rapidly, efficiently, and effectively.

Use and understand DOT North American Emergency Response Guidebook.

Prepare clear and concise technical reports and correspondence; communicate findings clearly orally and in writing.

Perform full CPR (maintain a valid certification)

Use initiative and independent judgement within general policy guidelines.

Deal courteously and communicate effectively with coworkers, the public, and others in a variety of different emotional states, from a variety of different backgrounds, and with different educational backgrounds and mental capacities; respond to and make decisions under stress of customers and others that may be confrontational and upset.

Work varied days, hours, and shifts, including weekends and holidays, as needed.

Effectively use basic modern office equipment including, but not limited to, telephones, fax machines, and