Emergency Communications Specialist II

This position is considered a Safety-Sensitive position. Applicants who pass the interview process will be subject to drug and alcohol testing.

The purpose of this position is to be a Public Safety Telecommunicator who performs 911 emergency and non-emergency call-taker functions and dispatches police, fire, and medical personnel appropriately in conjunction with other Emergency Communications Personnel. Calmly deals with emergency situations and dispassionately and logically communicates with the public, some of whom are under extreme distress.   

Essential Functions:  

• Must be able to communicate with others in spoken and written English to ensure the safe and efficient operations of the business.
• Answers 911 emergency and non-emergency telephone calls to assist citizens and visitors with emergency and non-emergency situations; gathers information from the caller. Accurately determines type, location, and extent of emergency situations.   
• Assist with handling unusual and irregular calls, and code all calls for services appropriately.   
• Assists callers in accordance with operational policies, procedures, and protocols.  
• Accurately enters information received into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system by summarizing the caller’s situation.    
• Operates the CAD system to dispatch police and fire resources in accordance with operational policies, procedures, and protocols.  
• Utilizes various methods of communication, including telephone, radio, telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD), and computer, and can read, hear, and quickly comprehend the information received.    
• Monitors public safety radio frequencies and logs radio traffic while police or fire personnel are on duty.   
• Performs data entry and verification through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for outstanding warrants, criminal histories, vehicle registrations, license status, and stolen items; places calls to other counties to check warrant status.  
• Determines appropriate level of response by field personnel and relays information to an emergency scene and to field units as needed.    
• Read maps and give appropriate directions to the location of the incident as needed.  
• Logs units in and out of service for accurate shift records.  
• Notifies other city departments and public utilities concerning emergencies.   
• Enters and/or assists in the communication of Amber, Silver, and Blue alerts.  
• Attend training sessions as required.  
• Provides information and assistance to members of the public.  
• Make appropriate contact with other departments, agencies, businesses, etc. for needed assistance and/or response.  
• Assists other Emergency Communications Personnel as needed.    
• Enters and/or assists in the communication of reverse 911 emergency alerts and notifications.  
• May serve as an emergency communications representative of the department to any agency for Police and Fire communications coordination.  
• May serve on a Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT) or as a tactical dispatcher in an incident communications center.  
• Performs other work as assigned.  

Physical Demands:  

• Performs work that involves walking or standing some of the time.   
• Involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis and sustained keyboard operations.   
• This position also entails constant mental demands.   

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:  

• Requires a High School diploma or GED equivalent.    
• Must be at least 18 years of age.   
• Must have one (1) year of experience as a Public Safety Telecommunicator working in a Public Safety Answering Point.
• Preferred no less than forty-five (45) hours of public safety communications coursework that meet the minimum course of study requirements as set forth by the Tennessee Rules of Department of Commerce and Insurance Emergency Communications Board, Chapter 0780-6-2, Dispatcher Training Regulations.
• Preferred N.C.I.C. (National Crime Information Center) or T.I.E.S. (Tennessee Information Enforcement System) valid certification.
• Preferred Emergency Medical Dispatch and CPR valid certifications.  
• Preferred to have been employed as a Public Safety Telecommunicator within the last year.

Additional Requirements:  

• Must submit to and pass an audiogram upon offer of employment.  
• Must pass a physical examination by a licensed physician selected by the City of Murfreesboro upon offer of employment.  
• Submit to and receive a passing score on a Telecommunicator pre-employment exam/testing.  
• Ability to work different assigned shifts and different days off.    
• Shifts and days off are subject to change based on staffing needs and must be available to work rotating and odd work schedules. Shifts and days off are subject to change each month based on ECS2 training rotation needs.
• Attain Emergency Communications Specialist II training and certification requirements within nine (9) months of employment/promotion; failure to attain stated Emergency Communications Specialist II training and certification requirements within nine (9) months of employment/promotion could result in termination or demotion to ECS1.  
• Must possess eyesight adequate to read TDD and various computer printouts accurately.  
• Must have fingerprints on file with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.   

Special Certifications and Licenses: