Dispatcher

** Essential Functions of the Job:**

• Receives routine and emergency telephone calls and personal requests for assistance on multiple lines concerning accidents, crimes, fires, emergency medical service, or general information; obtains needed information concerning nature of problem; identifies the location of callers to choose and dispatch the proper law enforcement officer; transfers other emergency and non-emergency calls to proper agency.
• Monitors activities of officers on patrol and makes and/or maintains radio contact to ensure safety.
• Performs customer service work for the Town assisting visitors with information, procedures, obtaining accident reports and other needs.
• Operates a variety of electronic equipment to maintain contact with police personnel and other law enforcement units; dispatches staff based on location of caller to answer requests for assistance and emergency incidents; obtains detailed and specific information from callers; receives and transmits information and messages about the situation as it develops.
• Operates a computer terminal connected with the Division of Criminal Information (DCI) and the National Crime Information Center to send and receive messages and research information regarding criminal history, driver's history, vehicle identification, and crimes.
• Maintains an in-house computer database, communications logs and reports including the nature of calls, actions taken and the times involved
• Monitors facility's critical operations systems (i.e., generator, alarm system, etc.) and notifies appropriate authority in the event of malfunctions.
• Provides information to the public over the telephone and in person concerning a variety of town services; provide copies of accident and other appropriate reports to the public.
• May be assigned special projects and assist specialized department teams.
• May maintain case files, type police reports and make copies of accident and related reports for the public.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• General knowledge of the operation of a public safety communications system and related Federal Communications Commission regulations.
• General knowledge of radio procedures.
• General knowledge of police forms, terminology and records.
• General knowledge of the geographic layout of the town, and the location of streets, important buildings, and other landmarks.
• Thorough knowledge of departmental programs, policies and procedures.
• Working knowledge of office and data entry equipment, office technology, applicable software packages and the application of technology to dispatch and records.
• Knowledge of grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.
• Considerable skills in customer service and public contact.
• Ability to perform a considerable volume of detailed work.
• Ability to maintain files;
• Ability to type accurately and at a reasonable rate of speed.
• Ability to accurately receive and clearly transmit radio communications.
• Ability to assess people and situations, to apply sound judgment, to remain calm under stressful conditions and to elicit sufficient and essential information for dispatching and assisting field personnel.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with departmental staff and the public.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Physical Requirements and Education:

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, reaching, lifting, fingering, grasping, repetitive motions, talking and hearing.
• Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally; and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate computer equipment, and to maintain and review manual written records.

Desirable Education and Experience:

Graduation from high school including or supplemented by courses in typing and some experience in general clerical work with some basic computer knowledge; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid DCI certificate issued by the State of North Carolina or the ability to obtain within three months of appointment to this classification.

Applicant must pass all of the disqualifiers listed below to be considered for employment:

Automatic Disqualifiers for Non-Sworn Police Department Personnel:

1. Conviction of a felony;
2. Involvement in any felonious/violent criminal activity for which formal charges have not been brought;
3. Any criminal activity that has occurred within three (3) years of application;
4. Any use of heroin, Methamphetamine, Morphine, Opium, LSD, PCP, or other dangerous drugs;
5. Any use of “club drugs” such as GHB, MDMA (ecstasy), or any other illegal hallucinogen drug not listed here within seven (7) years;
6. Any use of cocaine or any derivative of it within seven (7) years;
7. Any use of marijuana, including legal marijuana derivatives, bi-products or concentrates, within 12 months of application. ***Please note that while some states have decriminalized marijuana, it is still federally illegal and candidates applying for a position within the Matthews Police Department must not have used it within 12 months of application;
8. Being involuntarily terminated from a previous law enforcement agency whether sworn or civilian.

• Age: 18
• Education: High School Dimploma or GED
• Experience: None Required