EOC 911 Dispatcher

St. James Parish Government is hiring for the position of 911 Dispatcher in the Emergency Preparedness Department .

JOB FUNCTION: The position of Dispatcher is responsible foranswering all emergency calls and dispatching appropriate authorities asneeded. This position requires strict confidentiality as well as timeliness andefficiency. Through direct guidance and supervision from the Assistant Directorof Emergency Preparedness of St. James Parish Government, the Dispatcher willbe responsible for monitoring a variety of public safety telecommunicationssystems and equipment. The parish Dispatchers work within the same location as thesheriffs office Dispatchers. Individuals in this class are able to completethe majority of their work with a minimum amount of supervision. Normally worksa rotating 12-hour shift, which includes an on-call rotation. This position issafety sensitive and is classified as essential during declared emergencies ornatural disasters. This position is non-exempt from the payment of overtime asdefined by the Fair Labor Standards Act.

ESSENTIAL DUTIESAND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Handle thereception and transmission of telephone and radio emergency calls, complaintsand inquiries from the public

Evaluateinformation to determine jurisdiction and other pertinent data anddisseminating necessary information to the appropriate agencies in a prompt andefficient manner

Monitor variouspublic safety telecommunication systems and equipment

Operate a varietyof equipment including, but not limited to, enhanced 911 telephone systems,telephone device for the deaf (T.D.D.), audio recording and playback equipment,radio transmitters and receivers, radio consoles, data communication terminals,and computer aided dispatch systems

Record the natureand source of all incoming and outgoing radio and telephone messages

Study and maintainfamiliarity with highways, roads, streets, parish municipal numbering system,landmarks, major buildings and geography of all St. James Parish andsurrounding areas

Attend trainings,conferences, hearings, and other meetings related to this position as requiredby the Director, Assistant Director or Communications Supervisor

Perform any otherwork-related duties as assigned by the Director, Assistant Director or CommunicationsSupervisor

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able toperform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below arerepresentative of knowledge, skills and/or ability required. St. James Parishis an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations will be made toenable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: High school graduation or its equivalent. Must possess a validLouisiana drivers license (Class E) and have an acceptable driving record. Musthave reliable transportation. Must haveworking knowledge of a personal computer and all other standard officeequipment/machinery.

LANGUAGESKILLS: Must have the ability to read a variety of correspondences, reports,ordinances, proclamations, resolutions, forms, manual, etc. Ability toeffectively present information and respond to questions from outside entitieswith poise, voice control, and confidence.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units ofmeasurement using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability tocompute rate, ratio, and percentages and also interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructionsfurnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to deal withproblems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS: Possess avalid Louisiana drivers license (class E), have a form of reliabletransportation, and have an acceptable driving record.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must be proficient in the use of a personal computer with experience using the Microsoft Office programs, especially Microsoft Word and Excel. Also will be required to work in various software packages
• Ability to perform assignments with minimal supervision and maintain efficiency and timeliness
• Must be willing to work overtime on occasion
• Must be willing to attend occasional meetings and seminars outside of the office that may require an overnight stay when necessary
• Position requires a high degree of confidentiality due to the privileged and confidential nature of the information processed; Ability to maintain professionalism under a high-pressured situation

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those thatmust be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions ofthis job. Reasonable accommodations willbe made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentialfunctions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularlyrequired to stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.

Theemployee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds related to typicaloffice functions. Specific vision abilities required by the job include closevision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception andability to adjust focus.

WORKENVIRONMENT : Thework environment characteristics described here are representative of thosethat an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of thejob. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly worksindoors within a dispatch center located inside the Emergency OperationsCenter.

St. James Parish is committed to providing equal employment opportunities. The parish will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis including, but not limited to veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, agree or political affiliations.