Telecommunicator Trainee

COUNTY OF SCHUYLKILL

Telecommunicator Trainee

(Calltaker, Police, Fire/EMS Telecommunicator)

9-1-1 Communications

**GENERAL SUMMARY**:
Under general supervision, respond to emergency and non-emergency calls; update emergency response information to improve response services for _all_ divisions of dispatching; dispatch all police departments located in Schuylkill County, Fire and Ambulance.

**ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
Dispatch Police, both Pottsville and County units, Fire and Ambulance services.

Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls: evaluates emergency status; obtains information from caller and computer to assist emergency personnel; access Help maps, run cards and other resources to determine locations of the nearest help.

Access CLEAN and NCIC systems to obtain and verify information from government databases thru the CAD system and/or SCOPE.

Updates daily record logs of emergency and non-emergency responses and status of activity.

Attends continuing in-service training and education.

During peak activity periods, operates CAD system to dispatch public safety units, i.e. police, fire and ambulance; monitor radio transmissions between field units; maintain situation to ensure accurate emergency response information; monitor public safety unit call systems to determine status of units.

Provides Emergency Medical Dispatch when required per The National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch (NAEMD) program.

Confers with management to gain knowledge of specific work situations requiring employees to better understand changes in policies, procedures, regulations, and technologies.

Other duties as deemed necessary by the Shift Supervisor and/or Management.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

**EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE**: *Indicates developed after employment

Any combination of education and experience, which indicates possession of the skills, knowledge and abilities, listed below. An example or acceptable qualifications for this position is completion of high school degree or equivalent, willingness to complete intensive in-service training and PEMA 9-1-1 Call taker, Police, Fire, EMS and EMA certification requirements.

Knowledge of Schuylkill County geography.

Knowledge of Schuylkill County departments and services rendered.

Knowledge of Schuylkill County Health and Human services agencies.

Knowledge of all radio dispatch principles, practices and procedures used by Schuylkill County 9-1-1. *

Thorough knowledge of Schuylkill County 9-1-1 SOP (Standard Operating Procedures). *

Thorough knowledge of Schuylkill County CAD procedures.

Thorough knowledge of Schuylkill County field services terminology and procedures.

**ABILITIES**:
Ability to respond quickly and prioritize multiple calls and implement various procedures to ensure appropriate follow up.

Ability to recognize and interpret various codes and signals and takes appropriate action.

Ability to demonstrate physical dexterity and repetitive motions to operate foot pedal, computer mouse, keyboard and telephone; sitting and operating a computer keyboard for extended periods of time; and ability to demonstrate hearing acuity to receive caller information and vision acuity to rapidly interpret multiple computer screens, call sheets and other resource materials.

Ability to multi-task between telephone, radio, co-worker conversation(s).

Ability to have good listening skills and good communication skills.

Ability to remain calm when responding to an angry upset or frightened person.

Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records.

Ability to speak plainly and clearly.

Ability to type 20 WPM.

**TRAINING PROCESS**:(26 WEEKS MINIMUM - 40 WEEKS MAXIMUM)

Observation Period is five (5) weeks; completion after passing Orientation Final Exam (50 Question Exam) and Call Taker Entry-Level Exam (100 Question Exam).

Call Taker Training Period is four (4) weeks with a Communications Training Officer (CTO) and/or a Supervisor; three (3) weeks Training Observation Period (TOP) without a CTO and/or a Supervisor; four (4) additional TOP training; completion after passing the Call Taker Final Exam (50 Question Exam), Practical Exam, and Police Dispatcher Entry-Level Exam (100 Questions Exam).

Police Dispatch Training Period is three (3) weeks with a CTO and/or Supervisor; three (3) weeks TOP; and possibly three (3) additional TOP (OPTIONAL per Training Supervisor, Shift Supervisor, CTO); completion after passing Final Exam (50 Question Exam), Practical Exam, and Fire/EMS Entry-Level Exam (100 Question Exam).

Fire/EMS Training Period is three (3) weeks with a CTO and/or Supervisor; three (3) weeks TOP; and possibly thre