Listing Summary

Summary of Position:

This is telecommunications work in monitoring City services radios, answering incoming telephone calls, and dispatching emergency services personnel and equipment.  Work involves the operation of radios, telephones, alarm board, computer terminals, printers, and recording equipment.  Police, fire, emergency medical service, and animal control calls are received 24 hours every day from the public. 

The position dispatches personnel, vehicles, and equipment to the scene of an emergency based on the location and nature of the call.  The position also monitors radios for status of City employees and calls.  State and national information networks are maintained and records for all calls are established.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties are normal for this position.  The omission of a specific statement from the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.  Other duties may be required and assigned.  

• Complete GPTSTC Basic Communications Officer Training Course.
• Answers incoming emergency and non-emergency voice and telecommunication device for deaf (TDD) calls: determines nature of call, correct signal or code, simultaneously enters information into the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system and at times may have to simultaneously dispatch the call.
• Dispatches Officer to emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Determines whether callers require medical assistance and contacts the proper agency for EMS/Fire dispatch.
• Forwards information to the appropriate emergency response units or agencies.
• Complete and maintain GCIC/NCIC certification.
• Utilizes computer to enter, send and retrieve information from the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) such as driver’s license, weapon registration, vehicle tag, article information, etc. for law enforcement personnel.
• Enters warrants, vehicles, articles and missing persons.
• Validates warrants.
• Processes bonds.
• Attends the lobby window and assists the public with general request for assistance and information.
• Exercises discretion in the performance of the work and regularly uses independent judgment.
• Monitors the video recording equipment used to monitor the different areas of the police department.
• Performs general office duties including but not limited to filing, copying, typing, and distributing reports, mail, and other documents.
• Maintains current knowledge of City/county main thoroughfares, access routes, and construction in progress.
• Performs assigned work as necessary.

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Ensures that all necessary warrants, articles, vehicles, guns and persons are entered and removed properly from the GCIC/NCIC and in-house computer systems; responsible for ensuring that all appropriate paperwork and logs are correct and complete.
• Maintains the video recording (DVD) system and ensures the proper operation of the system, changing the DVD as necessary.
• Notifies the appropriate personnel of any major problems or issues that may arise within the Communications division by using the proper chain of command.
• Skilled in the use of a computer, and oral and written communications.
• Ability to plan, organize, analyze and make decisions; to maintain complex records and to prepare reports utilizing these records; to plan, establish, and coordinate priorities.
• Some knowledge of or the ability to learn public safety rules, regulations, terminology and methods of operation.
• Some knowledge of or ability to learn police dispatch procedures.
• Some knowledge of or ability to learn telephone and radio operating requirements and techniques.
• Some knowledge of or ability to learn the street system and geography of the City and the location of important buildings and areas.
• Some knowledge or the ability to learn computer software systems.
• Ability to speak in a clear, well-modulated voice which his easily understood over the telephone and radio and in person.
• Ability to make quick and sound decisions and clearly and effectively communicate orally in crisis situations.
• Ability to deal courteously and diplomatically with the public.
• Ability to type proficiently and accurately.
• Ability to produce legible handwritten material.
• Ability to perform several tasks simultaneously.
• Must be able to work effectively with the Mayor, City Council and professional staff members in City government.
• Must be able to function effectively in a work environment in which the employee is exposed to significant public scrutiny and be able to adequately and effectively address public questions and concerns as well as interact with members of the community.
• Must have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.  
• Must be certified as a terminal operator within 6 months of employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license.

Mental and Physical Requirements:

• Ability to exert moderate, though not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).
• Ability to communicate orally and to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, taste, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals.        
• Performance of essential functions may require exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, smoke, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, fire, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, toxic agents, explosives, water hazards, disease, pathogenic substances, or rude/irate customers.
• In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, or other applicable law, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the City.

Other Requirements:

• Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
• Must be able to work various shifts which include working on weekends and holidays.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment background investigation, to include but not limited to, a physical examination with drug screening and an oral interview.

At-Will Employment:

This classification specification does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

Employment with the City of Doraville is at-will in accordance with Georgia law.

Equal Opportunity:

The City of Doraville is an Equal Opportunity Employer.