Communications Officer

CROOK COUNTY 911 OVERVIEW

Crook County 911, a department within the City of Prineville, processes all 911 calls and dispatch services for Crook County, Oregon including City of Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff's Office, Crook County Fire and Rescue, Crook County Search and Rescue, Crook County Jail, Crook County Parole and Probation, Crook County Juvenile Department, Rager Emergency Services, after hours City of Prineville Utilities, US Forest Service, and BLM. We also work closely with Oregon State Police, Airlink, LifeFlight and other surrounding agencies and other state and federal entities.

VISION STATEMENT

To serve and support the public safety needs of the citizens of Crook County and our public safety partners in the most efficient and responsive manner possible.
MISSION STATEMENT

We Contribute to the safety of our citizens and our public safety partners by following industry best standards, policies and procedures, and by exceeding the standers set for our profession.
CORE VALUES
Integrity. Professionalism. Services. Growth. Development.
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POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED*
NATURE OF WORK
Provide call answering and public safety dispatch services throughout Crook County. Answer emergency and non-emergency telephone calls and requests for public safety services; determine the nature of the call and deploy the appropriate personnel and equipment; operate computer-aided dispatch system and various mission-critical communications equipment. Coordinate inter-agency and multi-agency public safety responses, ensure responder safety, and respond to needs of community members to safeguard life and property, and to promote community livability. Adhere to Telecommunicator Code of Ethics, maintain proficiency in established policies, procedures, telecommunication equipment and geography of area served.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/REVIEW OF WORK:
Works under the general supervision of the Communication Supervisor and/or Communication Director.The duties listed are intended only as Illustrative examples of the various types of work that may be performed by individuals in this classification. Any of the following duties may be performed. These examples are not necessarily performed by all incumbents and do not include all specific essential functions and responsibilities the incumbent may be expected to perform.
Answers emergency and non-emergency phone calls via multi-line telephones, assesses needs of caller and dispatches police, fire and/or medical response teams and equipment. Processes calls to determine the incident location, nature of the incident, severity (priority), and other information pertinent to the appropriate and safe response to the situation.

Manages callers; calms and controls callers, communicates with special needs callers, and communicates with callers from diverse demographic backgrounds while providing professional, excellent service as required by policies and procedures.

Provides instructions to callers to help guard their safety as well as others at the scene. Remains on the phone with callers as situations require.

Gives emergency instructions to the caller while responding units are in transit, including emergency medical pre-arrival instructions to the caller to render medical aid to the sick and injured until the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Dispatches the appropriate police, fire, EMS and Emergency Management Agency using radio tone paging, Mobile Data Terminal (MDT), CAD messaging, VHF or 700 MHz radio system, telephone, or other telecommunications devices and software as needed.

Appropriately transfers or routes calls for service in outside jurisdictions to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), places outbound calls as needed.

Comply with regulations and requirements for the use of any data systems accessible through local, state, regional, federal or international networks ;( e.g. RMS, DMV and criminal justice information systems, LEDS, NCIC, Interpol, CPIC, etc.)

Enters accurate and orderly information into computer systems to generate calls for service; listens and talks to callers while typing information into the Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD), or recording information on a manual call card. Ensures public safety responders have accurate and updated call for service information.

Processes multiple phone calls, tracks/talks to responders over multiple radio frequencies, updates CAD, tracks /changes field unit status in CAD, runs data base checks, maintains awareness of field situations and what is transpiring in the communications center, assists co-workers when needed and processing requests from field units.

Maintains working knowledge of geography of 9-1-1 service area; utilizes various electronic or paper maps, determines appropriate emergency response type, jurisdiction, and closest appropriate public safety apparatus (units) to deploy to various situations.

Maintains knowledge of various mutual aid and automatic aid agreements between 9-1-1 User Agencies and deploys public safety resources as required.

Maintains "situational awareness," thinks ahead and anticipates needs for resources and/or information to ensure effective, efficient, and timely assistance to public safety responders and the community.

Correctly performs various computer operations to access sensitive and restricted law enforcement information systems; run local, state and national records checks on persons, vehicles and other property as requested by responding units: correctly disseminate the information.

Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties.

Obtains and maintains all required certifications for the position. Abides by the Oregon Telecommunicator Code of Ethics. Completes assigned Continuing Dispatch Education to fulfill agency requirements and state annual training thresholds.

Works overtime without advance notice and/or responds back to the work place during emergencies and/or to ensure adequate staffing in the 9-1-1 Center to provide efficient, effective service to the public and agencies served.

Arrives to work, meetings, and other work-related functions on time and maintains regular job attendance.

Conforms to all safety rules and performs work in a safe manner.

Maintains effective work relationships.

Adheres to all City and Department policies.

Performs other duties as necessary.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High School Diploma or equivalent
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Ability to keyboard accurately by touch at 42 wpm. Ability to learn to use required computer systems, software, and various communications equipment necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in a timely manner. Efficiently utilize computers in the performance of the essential functions of the position.

Ability to troubleshoot and resolve simple computer and equipment issues.

Ability to use text-telephones (TTY-TDD) to communicate with speech or hearing impaired callers.

Ability to operate radios systems, appropriately use Agency terminology, codes and signals, plain speech/language techniques and phonetic alphabet, and to clearly enunciate.

Ability to learn the geographic area, community, agency resources, standard operating procedures, and mutual aid agreements.

Ability to accurately read maps and use various GIS/mapping software to determine appropriate public safety responses and to assist public safety responders locate calls for service.

Excellent listening skills and the ability to communicate clearly and elicit needed information form emotionally stressed and otherwise challenging callers; ability to adapt and communicate effectively with diverse public.

Ability to change quickly between essential tasks: process all telephone calls and accurately type pertinent call for service information into CAD while talking to/reassuring caller simultaneously dispatching and communicating with public safety responders by radio, communicating with/help co-workers and being aware of what other activities are occurring in the 9-1-1 communications Center.

Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, all 9-1-1 Users Agency members and the public.

Ability to function as an effective member of a close working team.

Ability to remain calm in emergency situations and relay that composure to callers and field personnel.

Ability to process, assess, and react to large amounts of information quickly; and to concentrate during periods of high stress.

Ability to make accurate, logical decisions during various emergency and non-emergency situation.

Ability to manage stress, both individual stress and the stress of others in crisis.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and judgement in dealing with sensitive or confidential information.

Ability to comprehend the telecommunicator role in Incident Command Systems (ICS), National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) including but not limited to required training, Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan (TICP) and state or local emergency operations plans.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Ability to obtain and maintain all required state certifications and licenses by the end of the probation period including:

Certification as Department of Public Safety and Training (DPSST) Basic Telecommunicator.
Certifications as DPSST-Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD).
LEDS Update/Inquiry level certification
CPR and First Aid certification
Ability to pass a Department of Public Safety and Training (DPSST) medical examination that includes vision and hearing tests and a psychological examination.

Ability to successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation including criminal history check and obtain an Oregon State Police Criminal Justice Information Systems clearance.

Possess and maintain an Oregon Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.

US citizen or be able to obtain citizenship within 12 months after date of appointment.

Must be at least 19 years of age.

Demonstrable commitment to sustainability.

Ability to work rotating shift work and/or compressed work schedule, including nights, weekends and holidays.

Ability to work mandatory overtime with no notice and/or respond to the workplace from home when emergency situations warrant.

The individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others in the workplace.
This is a non-supervisory position. Lead work/coordination of the work of others is not a typical function assigned to this position. Incumbents in this position may provide training and orientation to newly assigned personnel.
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