Under the direct supervision of the Communications Center Administrator, the 911 Telecommunicator is responsible to coordinate incoming 911 communications and other activities to support public safety personnel in the interest of public safety. The position receives 911 emergency and non-emergency calls for service requiring the incumbent to have the ability to remain calm in an atmosphere of changing priorities and periods of high stress. This position also dispatches, monitors, and responds to public safety personnel, operates computer aided dispatch (CAD) and records management system (RMS), operates the State Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) radio system, operates emergency paging software, operates a Mobile Data Computer system, trains new personnel, operates computerized mapping systems, operates internal and external security systems and alarms, and may perform lead worker functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Receives 911, emergency, non-emergency calls for service and text calls to 911. Performs multiple tasks simultaneously within critical time constraints and under pressure of emergency conditions. Responds to requests for service requiring law enforcement, medical, fire, and/or rescue response as per established policies. Refers callers to mental health resources as required. Utilizes interrogation/interview skills to gather and evaluate relevant information from all available sources to establish dispatch priority as per standard operating procedure manual. Provides public service information including weather/road conditions and makes referrals to other public/governmental agencies as appropriate.
• Dispatches appropriate personnel from fire, law enforcement, and ambulance services. Assigns units to calls. Monitors and operates multiple ARMER radio talk groups and conventional radio channels. Receives and processes officer requests for various services. Continually updates responding units regarding status, location, and pertinent information throughout the duration of the incident. Uses various paging formats on the radio console to page emergency responders. Activates evening pager tests for various personnel and agencies in Blue Earth County.
• Operates multiple 9-1-1 computerized mapping systems. Assists responding units to scene, monitors location of law enforcement vehicles, ambulances, and local fire departments. Completes error forms to maintain accuracy and manually query the system.
• Operates Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System. Creates and enters necessary complainant and location information into Incident Crime Report (ICR). Keeps a log of radio traffic/telephone traffic. Enters and removes warrants from local CAD/Records Management System and looks up previous incidents.
• Enters, modifies, cancels, and queries persons, vehicles, guns, etc. through the local, state, and national computer systems. Queries and interprets criminal histories. Queries other agencies, enters, cancels and monitors Keep Our Police Safe (KOPS) alerts. Maintains required state/federal certification.
• Operates and activates Code Red high-speed community notification system and the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) for emergency and non-emergency situations. Sends out pages to various personnel and agencies along with the community when imminent danger or in an emergency that may affect the public's health, safety, or welfare. Activates evening pager tests for various personnel and agencies in Blue Earth County. Utilizes software for internal paging of personnel.
• Operates Computerized Mobile Data Computer. Sends special announcements to responders, sends calls, general voice notifications, pager text and email notifications for service information to responders. Communicates with officers, queries driver's licenses, license plates, etc. and assists troubleshooting computer system problems.
• Trains new personnel. Provides basic orientation of all job tasks. Instructs trainee how to utilize various computer programs and radio equipment. Instructs protocol to handle a broad spectrum of situations. Maintains and updates the training manual.
• Monitors training progress and works with trainees to enable the person to multi-task and prioritize tasks. Ensures supervisory staff is aware of progress.
• Operates internal and external security systems and alarms. Monitors various camera systems and monitors emergency man-down system. Controls door locks, gates, garage doors and monitors duress alarms throughout the Justice Center.
• Interacts positively with internal and external customers. Communicates and interacts effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and customers.
• Performs the physical and mental demands of the position.
• Attends work during regularly scheduled hours. Works a schedule including weekdays, weekends, holidays and subject to call in, and must be available to work any scheduled hours.
• Provide caller with instructions for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) over the phone when needed.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• Performs lead worker functions. Performs duties of supervisor when needed, addresses schedule issues, processes tape requests, train/teach, coach and mentor new hires, facilitates equipment malfunction repairs, processes error report forms and processes time sheets. Fills vacant shifts and updates resource materials.
• Provides Credible Testimony in Court. Attends and testifies in criminal and civil court proceedings. Represents the interests of the county, state, and federal government. Makes a verbal account for observations, actions, and findings while performing official duties.
• Program and maintain telephone system.
• Sit on regional committees for communication systems and programs to make recommendations for policy and procedures to local, regional, and statewide policies.
• Maintains various databases in CAD and RMS systems.
• Performs as ARMER radio system trainers, trained, and certified by a State of MN approved training program.
• Performs other related functions as apparent or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma/GED

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1 year of experience in emergency response, crisis hotline or a service-oriented role interacting with people.
• Emergency 911 dispatching/telecommunicating experience
• Experience with computer aided dispatch system
• MNJIS/NCIC terminal operator certification
• Ability to converse in a second language
• Experience in Microsoft Office
• Post-Secondary Degree/Certificate

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must comply with all federal and state laws and organizational and departmental policies and regulations.
• Must be able to type 30 wpm accurately.
• Must obtain passing score on computerized pre-employment testing software.
• Must satisfactorily complete a psychological evaluation and background check.
• Must be willing to work various shifts including days, nights, evenings, weekends, holidays, and non-traditional shifts that may include any hours.
• Must comply with data practices policies and standards relative to not public data. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data are being accessed, incumbent should take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data are not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished the not public data must be properly stored according to county policy and the Minnesota Statutes.
• Must not have had access to any local, State of Minnesota, or Federal law enforcement databases revoked or suspended currently or in the past.
• Must complete required FEMA online training (ICS 100, 200, and 700) within 12 months of start date.
• Must complete required FEMA online training (ICS 247) within 6 months of start date.
• Must complete MN BCA 2-day Basic Operator Training within 6 months of start date (in-person or virtual)
• Must complete Telephone Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (T-CPR) training/certification prior to being released from training status.
• Must obtain and maintain all requirements for certification as required by the State of Minnesota for 911 Telecommunicators.

Involves a rotating shift, which under normal condition results in a 40-hour work week. Full Time Dispatchers bid for shifts by seniority. During training, new employees will be scheduled time on all shifts and may be assigned to training outside of normal work hours that will be mandatory. Overtime, day, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday hours are required. Hours of work are structured to meet call for service demands and the needs of the public served.