Public Safety Calltaker
Public Safety Calltaker
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Job Description
Description
Major Duties
- Receives and screens incoming calls from the public and other user agencies; categorizes and prioritizes calls including 911 calls.
- Determines and dispatches the appropriate emergency personnel to incident locations; provides emergency medical instructions to callers prior to the arrival of responders as needed.
- Receives and processes nonemergency calls; forwards to appropriate department; receives and processes afterhours complaints from the public.
- Inquires retrieves and monitors data from ACJIC/NCIC database; ensures compliance with rules and regulations; retrieves information related to outstanding warrants criminal histories driver histories vehicle histories etc.; disseminates information related to criminal histories driver histories terrorist threats felon registration sex offender registration lost or stolen items missing persons etc.
- Maintains contact with emergency personnel in the field; provides information to responding units regarding location directions changes to circumstances etc.; responds to information requests from responding units.
- Provides prearrival instructions to callers in compliance with Emergency Medical Dispatch guidelines.
- Coordinates assistance from other agencies and/or departments as requested including contacting other agencies for response to specific situations.
- Operates telecommunications equipment including radios telephones CAD mapping systems telecommunications devices weather monitoring equipment etc.
- Monitors and utilizes nonemergency radios as needed.
- Monitors security cameras.
- Completes required training and obtains and maintains appropriate certifications.
- Performs related duties.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION
- Knowledge of emergency communications principles and practices.
- Knowledge of ACJIC/NCIC policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of emergency dispatch procedures.
- Knowledge of radio and telecommunications equipment.
- Knowledge of CAD system functions and maintenance.
- Skill in the use of computers and jobrelated software programs.
- Skill in making decisions in high pressure and emergency situations.
- Skill in public relations.
- Skill in interpersonal relations.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The Communications Supervisor assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spotchecks completed work for compliance with procedures accuracy and the nature and propriety of the results.
GUIDELINES
Guidelines include ACJIC/NCIC guidelines state and federal regulations HIPPA regulations general orders APCO policies training guidelines medical controls and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.
COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK
- The work consists of related emergency communications duties. The necessity of responding to unforeseen and emergency situations contributes to the complexity of the work.
- The purpose of this position is to assist in the receiving of emergency and nonemergency calls and in dispatching emergency service personnel as appropriate. Successful performance contributes to the efficient and effective response to emergency and lifethreatening situations.
CONTACTS
- Contacts are typically with department personnel other city personnel representatives of other emergency services agencies hospital and other medical personnel representatives of a variety of external agencies and the general public.
- Contacts are typically to give or exchange information resolve problems provide services and motivate persons.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT
- The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table.
- The work is typically performed in a Communications Center.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
None.
Minimum Qualifications
- Graduation from a standard senior high school or GED equivalent as recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); and
- Must be at least 19 years of age.
- Recent experience as a Public Safety Cadet or Intern with the Dothan Police Department preferred.
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT/PROMOTION/DEMOTION/TRANSFER
The City of Dothans Police Department will administer a polygraph examination to anyone hired/promoted demoted/transferred into the Police Department. The examination will be a question and answer test that covers areas of your background including but not limited to your employment application employment history and involvement in criminal activity such as thefts and domestic violence drug usage and participation in the distribution of illegal and legal prescription medications.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to type a minimum of 30 net words per minute with a minimum of ten (10) errors. A typing test will be administered at the time of application (See City of Dothans Typing Test/Retest Policy).
- Must maintain information confidentiality throughout employment.
- Must obtain and maintain all certifications as required by the Alabama Public Safety Telecommunication Program (Act 22387 Rule 585X5)
- Must obtain and maintain APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator I (PST1)
- Must obtain and maintain American Heart Association Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Must obtain and maintain APCO Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
- Must obtain and maintain National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC) certifications.
- Must obtain and maintain APCO Communications Training Officer (CTO) certification.
- Must obtain and maintain Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) training on Southern Software Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Southern Software Records Management System (RMS) Southern Software Mapping Data System (MDS) Motorola Emergency Communications System ECS1000 Solacom 911 equipment MEVO training and Public Safety Radio Training/Experience in actual radio transmission environment.
- In an emergency and/or standby situation an employee in this position must be able to report to his/her regular workstation in a maximum of 30 minutes from the time of notification. (Sec. 230. (2) / PBA 1/9/95) This requirement must be met within six (6) months of employment/promotion/ demotion/transfer. (See Condition for details.)
- Employees must be able to work any shift or days of the week.
- An applicant for this position is subject to various background investigations up to and including a criminal credit past employment and reference checks.
- Employees are required to submit to Drug and Alcohol testing in accordance with the City of Dothan policy which includes preemployment and random tests for the duration of employment in this position. (PBA 08/13/12).
- Must meet the City of Dothans employment physical standard which includes drug/alcohol testing.
Application / Examination
Qualified applicants will be evaluated based on training and experience as documented on their application. This evaluation will comprise 35% of the final grade. The written exam will comprise the other 65% of the final grade.
Written examination for the position of Public Safety Calltaker and Communication Center tour are scheduled for June 10th 2025. Email notification inviting you to self schedule your slot for the written exam will go out at a later date. You MUST self schedule your slot or you will not be allowed to test.The content areas of the written examination for the position of Public Safety Calltaker include the following:
Oral Communication
Interpreting Codes and Information
Vocabulary
Ability to Perform Dispatching Work
Reading ComprehensionYou will be allowed two (2) hours for completion of the examination. Once the examination begins you will not be allowed to leave the room until you have completed the examination.
NOTE: An applicant on vacation is responsible for attending the examination on the date scheduled. An applicant falling under federally protected leave (i.e. FMLA USERRA) is responsible for notifying the Personnel Department in writing no later than the closing date by emailing
Please advise us at the time of application if you will need assistance and/or accommodation to take this examination by emailing .
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer
Employment Type
Full-Time
