Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Class Title:	Dispatch Specialist Trainee
Class Code:	93716
Salary:	$18.23 - $26.98 Hourly $1,458.31 - $2,158.73 Biweekly $3,159.67 - $4,677.25 Monthly $37,916.00 - $56,127.00 Annually

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Description Benefits
To perform a variety of complex duties involved in the receipt of emergency 9-1-1 and non-emergency police calls for the area served by LVMPD; to quickly and accurately process calls that involve life or death situations; to relay information between 9-1-1 callers and police officers; to dispatch officers and track officer activity in order to secure the safety of the officer and the facts of the situation; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS Dispatch Specialist Trainee This is the trainee level class in the Dispatch Specialist series. This class is distinguished from the Dispatch Specialist I or II as it is only designed for the first year of employment and initial training period of the class series. The focus of this class is the successful completion of the Communications Academy and the Communications Training and Evaluation Program. The majority of training during time in this class will be the call taking functions, although employees will also be exposed to dispatching functions. Since this class is used as a training class, employees will be closely monitored and will receive regular training evaluations. Employees must successfully complete probation and be released to work independently on the phones before being progressed to Dispatch Specialist I. Dispatch Specialist I This the apprentice level class in the Dispatch Specialist series. Employees will still be in training while in this class; however, the focus will be the successful completion of the Dispatch Training Program. This class is distinguished from the Dispatch Specialist II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series. Dispatch Specialist I positions may respond to the same types of calls and dispatch functions as Dispatch Specialists II; however, they receive direct instruction and supervision from trainers and higher level staff. Since this class is typically also used as a training class, employees will be closely monitored and will receive regular training evaluations. Employees must successfully complete one year as a Dispatch Specialist I, complete the Dispatch Training Program, and be released to work independently on the radio before being progressed to Dispatch Specialist II. Dispatch Specialist II This is the full journey level class within the Dispatch Specialist series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Dispatch Specialist I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned including responding to more complex dispatching functions. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class series are staffed at the II Level and are filled by progression from the I level. Employees are expected to progress to the II level upon successful completion of the one year training period as a Dispatch Specialist I. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Dispatch Specialist Trainee Receives immediate direction from the Academy staff and floor trainers, and immediate supervision from the Communications Supervisor, Communications Shift Manager, or higher level staff. Dispatch Specialist I Receives immediate direction from the Academy staff and floor trainers, and immediate supervision from the Communications Supervisor, Communications Shift Manager, or higher level staff. Dispatch Specialist II Receives general supervision from the Communications Supervisor, Communications Shift Manager, or higher level staff.
Minimum Qualifications:
Experience and Training/Education Requirements Dispatch Specialist Trainee Experience: Must possess a valid typing certificate, dated within 1 year, demonstrating a minimum typing speed of 45 net wpm (after errors). One year of general office experience is desirable. Training/Education: Possession of a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED). Successful completion of law enforcement emergency response training is desirable. Dispatch Specialist I Experience: Successful completion of probation as a Dispatch Specialist Trainee, including being released to work independently on the phones. Dispatch Specialist II Experience: Successful completion of one year as a Dispatch Specialist I, including completion of the Dispatch Training Program, including being released to work independently on the radio.
Essential and Marginal Functions:
*Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Essential Functions - Call Taking: Receive emergency and non-emergency service calls from the public requesting law enforcement or other support services; determine nature, location, and priority of incident; recall citizens as necessary Quickly and accurately process calls that, at times, involve life or death situations Display blank incident format on CAD terminal to ensure 9-1-1 displays of address and phone numbers; enter incident reports into the computer system or appropriately refer citizen; input addresses, locations, citizen information, and other pertinent information; update or cancel events as needed; document errors Transfer calls to appropriate agencies, including the language bank as needed; answer calls from other agencies as needed; request fire, medical, tow, or community service agency services as needed; relay information pertaining to roadway conditions to the relevant agencies Log on and off phone equipment or CAD system as appropriate; override CAD codes to change event status as needed; log units on and off system Record officer information on suspects; confirm warrants and previous arrests, update information as needed; advise effected personnel of information updates; run checks of guns, or related items for wants and registrations Verify and relay information between officers, citizens and others as needed via telephone and mobile computer terminals Maintain a variety of automated and manual logs, records and files related to dispatching activities; log important information that does not warrant creating an event into the Ready Reference Briefing Log Attend briefings and meetings to obtain information on daily activities and pertinent information; notify Communications Supervisor of unusual situations; read and follow daily break, lunch, and rotation schedules Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work; print messages from the computer screen as needed Utilize computer systems currently used in the LVMPD Communications Bureau; utilize various phone and computer equipment Monitor camera positions and control building access Read, update, and remain current on pertinent Department and Communications Bureau policies, procedures, rules, and regulations Work as part of a team to ensure public safety by handling the work of the Communications Bureau efficiently and timely Exemplify the Department values, both on and off duty Essential Functions - Dispatching In addition to performing the essential functions of Call Taking: Dispatch emergency and backup units as necessary; maintain compliance with established procedures for operating a computer aided dispatch system; obtain and relay estimated arrival times for units and other agencies; read and relay geographical directions for citizens, units and other agencies Maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of law enforcement units, including conducting roll call as needed; verify and relay information between various units of the LVMPD, citizens, and others as appropriate; initiate, broadcast, and cancel code reds as needed; broadcast pertinent information pertaining to officer safety and to aid in the apprehension of suspects Receive the officers’ direct line to dispatch; place phone calls for officers as requested; make a variety of emergency and non-emergency call outs Brief the relief dispatcher and/or Communications Supervisor of any unusual situations or information that applies to the channel; become familiar with channel activity prior to relieving the channel. Marginal Functions: Provide training to new employees as needed; monitor performance and provide instruction; prepare training evaluations and assign weekly goals Complete manual mode cards for service when the CAD system fails Perform related duties and responsibilities as required Knowledge of: Radio-telephone operations and procedures. Basic civil and criminal law Community service agencies and responsibilities Applicable codes and call signs Procedures used in operating Computer Aided Dispatch and 9-1-1 systems for a large agency Policies and procedures of receiving and processing emergency calls Computer systems currently used in the LVMPD Communications Bureau, including SCOPE, NCIC, NCJIS, NLETS and related equipment and software Geographic features and directional information General law enforcement codes, practices and methods City and County geography Call screening techniques. Phone etiquette Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment Ability to: Learn knowledge required to perform functions of the position Comprehend, read, write, and speak English, including proper spelling Work under pressure, exercise good judgment and make sound and timely decisions in emergency and non-emergency situations Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens Type accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance Understand and follow oral and written instructions Work various shifts as assigned Orally communicate clearly and concisely during emergency and non-emergency situations Communicate clearly and concisely in writing during emergency and non-emergency situations Accurately recall, identify, and categorize information Ensure accuracy of information by proofing work to detect errors Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work Maintain confidentiality Work as part of a team Exemplify the Department values and demonstrate professionalism, compassion and empathy Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following:-Sitting for extended periods of time at a fixed position until scheduled break or lunch times -Utilizing a computer keyboard and mouse making repetitive movements -Operating assigned equipment Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:-Making observations sufficient to handle multiple tasks -Communicating with others -Reading and writing -Reading computer screens with varying colors and font sizes -Operating assigned equipment -Listening on a headset -Listening to multiple conversations at one time In addition to the qualifications listed for Call Taking: Knowledge of: CAD operations and procedures, including CAD transmission codes Pertinent rules, regulations, policies and procedures related to the dispatch function City and County streets within the area served, including correct spelling of these Standard radio broadcasting and dispatch procedures and rules Ability to*: Work independently Familiarize Department personnel and citizens of the community of the functions of dispatch Listen to multiple conversations at one time Perform multiple tasks at one time Demonstrate critical reasoning skills under tight time constraints
Working Conditions:
Environmental Conditions: 24-hour, 7-day per week work environment, including working holidays; work with computers in varying light and noise conditions.