City of Tucson

A Public Safety Communication Specialist II- Trainee (Dispatcher) learns to perform the full scope of duties of a City of Tucson PSC Specialist II through a structured on-the-job training program. This position will learn to monitor radio activity and dispatch calls for service to either Police or Fire/EMS specialties. This classification will also learn to assess emergency 911 and Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) communication requests for service for both Police and Fire/EMS specialties under the guidance of experienced Communications Staff.   

This classification is a civilian trainee that works in the Public Safety Communications Centers. Training is provided in-house and may take up to one (1) year, additional training may be required to reach full performance. Employees in this class may progress by noncompetitive promotion to the classification of Public Safety Communication Specialist II after successful completion of training and satisfactory performance. 

Answers, evaluates, and prioritizes incoming and outgoing telephone calls including but not limited to emergency 911, administrative, hot lines, Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD), hospital, City departments, partner agencies, and general public inquiries.  

Answers multi-line telephone for emergency assistance; asks questions to determine caller's need and location; verifies and obtains event information; provides instructions pre-arrival of law enforcement, Fire, and/or EMS services.  

Identifies and dispatches closest, most appropriate, response units using multiple data sources. Documents critical event information and communicate with public safety units via Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Supports field operations via trunked radio communications.  

Performs interactive law enforcement, fire, and medical communication duties with members of the public and users of the 911 system   Interacts with 911 centers/PSAPs in the region to facilitate and coordinate public safety emergency response for public safety services; transfers calls based on jurisdiction.  

Receives, coordinates, and disseminates critical information from and to multiple sources/resources based on published protocols and defined standards.

Additional Fire and EMS Radio Dispatch Duties include:   Resource selection, routing and radio announcement related to dispatch of emergency responders.  Supports Fire and EMS units and facilitate hospital communication using telephone and/or radio.  

Additional Police Dispatch Duties Include:   Oversees public safety units. location and activity through various computer visual displays. Provides vigilant safety and welfare support to include the dissemination of criminal justice information  

Coordinates response between patrol officers, detectives, Air Support, SWAT, Hostage, Service Dog, and Crime Scene units, as well as units from outside agencies.  

Utilizes comprehensive knowledge of local geography   Researches analytical data to supplement response related information and on-scene awareness. 

Marginal:

Maintains confidentiality; enters data; performs clerical duties; completes projects and training; reviews and recommends updates to policy.  

Performs work in rotating shifts including weekdays, weekends, holidays, days, evenings, nights often in a non-traditional work week schedule.

This class performs related duties as assigned. The duties listed above are intended only as general illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. Job descriptions are subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.  

Minimum Education Level & Type:  HS Diploma or GED

Minimum Experience Qualifications: At least 1 year Answering telephone calls in a high call volume setting in a timely manner and assessing their level of importance

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Occupational Group Code: 34

Occupational Group Description: Police

EEO Job Category Code: F

EEO Job Category Description: Office and Clerical

Organizational Level: First Level Employee

NCCI: 8810

Bargaining Unit: CWA

The following information pertains to driving requirements for this classification with the City of Tucson. Under "Driving Level" None, Secondary or Primary, refers to the driving responsibility as it relates to the essential functions of the classification. License Type, is just that, the type of Arizona Driving License required for the classification. If the position requires a Commercial Drivers License (CDL), the endorsements will be listed under "Endorsements." Under Safety Sensitive a "Yes" means employees with this classification are subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. License Type A,B,C,D,or M may require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage. Exceptions to classification driving requirement's may exist based on position.

Driving Level: Non-Driving

License Type: None

CDL Endorsements: None

Safety Sensitive: Yes