**UPDATED July 1, 2019**
TITLE: Public Safety Technician – 911 Dispatcher - Southfield Police Department
SALARY: **Pay range $41,011 to $46,158; plus $1.50 per hour for every hour worked as a dispatcher,**
Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement; holidays, vacation, and more. Uniforms provided.
JOB DUTIES:
- Receive and prioritize incoming emergency and non-emergency calls, complaints, and inquiries from the public.
- Evaluate information and dispatch police, fire, and emergency medical assistance.
- Perform crisis intervention with distraught callers when necessary.
- Use good judgment and common sense in making decisions and maintain composure during extremely stressful situations
- Operate communications equipment including computers, radios, and telephones.
- Full time shift work--including days, afternoons, midnights, weekends, and holidays. Mandatory, unscheduled overtime may be required, depending on staffing.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- High school diploma or equivalent and one of the following skill sets:
- One year experience working in an emergency response situation such as law enforcement, fire, security, paramedical (ambulance/hospital or other medical facility) or related field of work, or the military (DD214 required) is desired.
- OR Will consider applicants with 2 years of successful full time experience performing office clerical work involving a combination of computer and heavy customer service duties.
- OR Successful completion of 9-1-1 Dispatch Academy, or comparable training certificate, obtained in the last 3 years, may be considered in lieu of work experience.
- Excellent English communication skills, both oral and written.
- Current expertise or ability to learn to operate Computer Aided Dispatch system and other office equipment.
- Typing ability of 30 w.p.m.; must be able to read and interpret maps.
- Applicants must possess excellent judgment, problem solving skills, and the ability to act and multi-task quickly.
- Must be compassionate and dedicated to serving the community and assisting those in need.
- Valid driver's license and a good driving record.
- Availability for full time shift work as assigned, holidays, weekends, and scheduled and emergency overtime.
Thank you for your interest in the position of Public Safety Technician - Dispatcher. Employees in this category serve as first point of contact and provide crucial support to the safety and welfare of Southfield residents by dispatching police, fire, and emergency medical personnel in response to local 9-1-1 calls.
The position requirements include:
- High school graduate or equivalent;
- One year experience working in an emergency response situation such as law enforcement, fire, security, paramedical (ambulance/hospital or other medical facility) or related field of work, or the military (DD214 required) is desired.
- Will consider applicants with 2 years of successful full time experience performing office clerical work involving a combination of computer and heavy customer service duties.
- Successful completion of 9-1-1 Dispatch Academy, or comparable training certificate, obtained in the last 3 years, may be considered in lieu of work experience.
- Aptitude to analyze and prioritize incoming requests for assistance and effectively make quick, sound decisions, assume necessary call control, and maintain composure in stressful emergency situations;
- Excellent oral and written English communication skills;
- Must multi-task, accurately hear and simultaneously document information; including the ability to read and provide directions from maps.
- Possession of a valid driver’s license and good driving record; no felony convictions
- Sensory/motor skills necessary to operate equipment.
- Ability to work in a confined area and remain seated for long periods of time.
Position duties also include:
- Update personnel in route by accurately relaying updated information.
- Give over-the-phone assistance and instruction before emergency personnel arrive.
- Ability to take direction, work independently and work as part of a group; must maintain confidentiality
- Synchronize situations/personnel with other communication centers when needed
- Availability for full-time shift work, including nights weekends and holidays; availability for mandatory, unscheduled overtime
In that these positions function within Southfield’s Police/Public Safety Civilian Operations Department, successful applicants will satisfactorily complete an extensive testing procedure. This procedure will consist of the following elements:
- Employment Application; minimum qualifications checked.
- Driving record and criminal history check; applicants will be asked to authorize a police investigation into their driving record and criminal history. The City’s driving standards are included in this application package.
- A performance test which measures various skills applicable to the position.
- A computer test to determine typing skills.
- An oral board interview
- An extensive background investigation.
- A physical examination and a psychological examination (post offer).
Only those applicants who successfully complete each examination element will be considered for advancement to the next level in the selection procedure. Applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process based on the nature and extent of their related experience. Please be aware that this is a thorough and, therefore, lengthy process. Expect that most, if not all, of these tests are administered during normal business hours.