Telecommunicator

Salary : $39,722.00 - $48,660.00 Annually
Location : Paducah, KY
Job Type: Full-time Regular
Job Number: 00270-20
Department: E-911
Opening Date: 11/03/2023
Closing Date: 12/3/2023 11:00 PM Central
Description
A Telecommunicator works under the general supervision of the Communications Shift Supervisor and is responsible for answering 9-1-1 telephone lines, dispatching public safety personnel and equipment, and recording and relaying sensitive information that may involve life and death situations. As an employee of the 911 Communications Services Division, the Telecommunicator shall obey all policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the 911 Communications Services Division. Positions in this job class are subject to working evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime. This job class is treated as FLSA Non-exempt.
Illustrative Duties

• Receives emergency and non-emergency calls including enhanced 9-1-1, TDD, text, and administrative and private line telephone calls.
• Communicates effectively with citizens and the personnel of the agencies with which we interact.
• Answers and evaluates incoming calls for police, fire, or emergency medical services.
• Collects pertinent details and determines the priority of the call, sometimes within a few seconds of the conversation, and decides whether units should be dispatched.
• Hears and comprehends radio communication, even in adverse conditions including but not limited to the outside noise at the scene where the unit is, background noise at the dispatch location, radio interference from outside sources, and field personnel not speaking clearly or loud enough.
• Accurately recalls details and procedures and applies them instantly in emergency situations.
• Dispatches calls to appropriate police and/or fire units via radio and coordinates responding backup units if necessary.
• Monitors radio frequencies and LINK/NCIC computers for significant activities.
• Using a computer or written log, documents the nature of each call received, which unit(s) responded, the action taken, and the disposition of the call.
• Asks vital questions and directs callers with pre-arrival instructions to involved parties of police, fire, and medical emergencies.
• Assess callers to interpret, analyze and anticipate situations to resolve problems, provide information, dispatch emergency services, or refer callers to other agencies.
• Responds to non-emergency inquiries from the public by providing such information as phone numbers and local department information appropriate to their need, general information regarding traffic tickets, incidents, and accident reports, and the responsible officer.
• Provides various notifications to public safety agencies, businesses, and citizens, such as providing information on accident victims, arrested persons, alarm activations, etc.
• Verifies, enters, updates, and/or deletes the following kinds of information into the LINK/NCIC systems: missing persons or runaways; stolen, recovered, and/or abandoned vehicles.
• Assists police officers in retrieving information from the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and LINK/NCIC systems; e.g., a subject's personal information, description, present/last known address, vehicle, any prior incidents or contacts with police officers, and criminal history.
• Retrieves and disseminates a variety of information to police, fire, and EMS personnel; such as warrants, stolen vehicles, complaint information, officer activity, fire activity, alarms, key holders, cross street information, etc.
• Accurately and effectively makes LINK/NCIC entries.
• Provides notifications, as needed, to utilities or other agencies; such as Paducah Power, FAA, EPA, railroads, etc.
• May testify in court as required regarding decisions made and actions taken.
• Participate in training less experienced dispatchers in the proper operation of technical systems and performing other job tasks.
• Activate monthly warning siren tests as directed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Experience equivalent to one year of customer service or office support work, including public contact, computer literacy, and data entry.

Special Qualifications

• Must satisfactorily pass all assigned skills assessments, including CritiCall or similar skills testing platform.
• Must successfully pass an oral board assessment.
• Must satisfy the Kentucky Telecommunicator Professional Standards requirements, including successful completion of:
  1. Police Department Background investigation
  2. Polygraph examination
  3. Psychological examination
  4. Drug screen.
• Must successfully complete a one (1) year probationary period.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must have 20/20 corrected vision; must be able to hear speech from both ears in the normal range of 30 DB at 500 to 2000 Hz range.
• Must be able to speak and communicate clearly over telephones and radio.
• Must be capable of activating radio and phone systems utilizing buttons and switches.
• Must be able to type a minimum of 30 words per minute.
• Must be able to input data via the keyboard.
• The ability to maintain confidentiality is a must.
• Must be able to work days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be able to work overtime to maintain proper staffing levels.
• Must be able to function individually and as a team member.
• Must have the ability to handle multiple tasks at one time and remain calm in a sometimes stressful environment.

Training

• Successful completion of an intense minimum in-house training program within the one (1) year probationary period.
• Must successfully complete the 4-week Telecommunicator Academy at the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training located on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY within 12 months of hire.
• Complete eight hours of mandated continuing education training each year of employment to maintain Kentucky Telecommunicator Certification throughout employment.

The City offers a very competitive benefit package. Most benefits, including health insurance, are effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Highlights of these benefits are outlined below.
Medical Benefits
The City allots each full-time employee $8,724 per year or $727.00 per month (effective 01/01/2015) to help pay for the cost of participation in the City's self-funded insurance plan. If a full-time employee chooses to waive coverage under the City of Paducah's plan, they can still receive $500.00 per year or $41.66 per month in a Health Reimbursement Account or a Flexible Spending Account upon submission of proof of coverage through some other group health insurance plan. The City offers a choice between the Investor high deductible health plan, or the Elite plan which provides co-pays for prescription medications through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Dental Benefits
The City offers dental benefits through Delta Dental. Coverage is voluntary.
Vision Benefits
The City offers vision benefits through Anthem Blue View. Coverage is voluntary.
Wellness
In addition to the City's Health Allocation Benefit, full-time employees participating in the City's insurance can earn additional dollars to fund the purchase of their health, dental, and/or vision insurance by participation in the City's Wellness Plan. Employees who are tobacco-free can earn up to $2,250 per year. Tobacco-free employees with a qualifying spouse can earn up to $3,250 per year. Money left over after covering insurance premiums can be deposited into health spending accounts as required by plan guidelines.
Spending Accounts
Under the City's Section 125 cafeteria plan, full-time employees participating in the City's health insurance plan may elect to contribute additional dollars to a health spending account. With the Investor Plan, employees may select either an FSA or an HSA. With the Elite Plan, employees can participate in an FSA. Employee's may also wish to establish a Child and Dependent Care FSA to manage the cost of child care.
Supplemental Benefits
Currently the City uses AFLAC to administer voluntary supplemental benefits. The offerings include a cancer policy, short-term disability, accident, hospitalization, and group term life insurance.
Life Insurance
A full-time employee receives a life insurance benefit at no cost, effective upon date of hire. Terms of coverage vary based on position.
Retirement
The City of Paducah participates in the Kentucky Retirement System's defined benefit pension program. Employees' required contributions, employer's matching portion, required service components, and benefits vary based upon position and participation date.
Deferred Compensation
Employees may elect to contribute additional dollars towards individual retirement accounts through ICMA, Nationwide, or Kentucky DCP. Details for participation are available through the Human Resources Division of the Finance Department.
Education Assistance
The City provides financial assistance to eligible employees who satisfactorily complete qualified courses towards a post-secondary education. Applications to participate in the City's Educational Assistance program are submitted through the individual department directors. Terms and conditions may vary based upon course of study, allowable amounts, and reimbursement cap.
Vacation
Full-time employees begin accruing vacation time from their date of hire. Employees may accumulate up to a maximum of 50 days of vacation. Vacation time may be taken after six months of employment. Vacation accrual rates may differ for employees who are members of a bargaining unit.
Holidays
The City recognizes the following holidays:
New Year's Eve
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
The Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
One Personal/Birthday Holiday (taken at the time of your chosing) *Fire Dept designated day to use this holiday is July 1st*
Sick Time
In the event of a qualifying illness, the City offers a generous sick leave plan. Full-time City employees begin accruing sick time from the date of hire. The accrual of sick time depends upon one of two options chosen by the employee at the time of hire.
Option A* - eligible employees may accrue sick time up to a maximum of 242 days
Option B - eligible employees may accrue sick time up to a maximum of 150 days.
Unused sick time can benefit the employee at the time of their retirement with the City. Option A offers retirement credit for unused sick time, while Option B offers a cash incentive.
* According to KRS changes, employees with an original participation date 01/01/2014 or later will no longer have this option.
Employee Assistance Program
Because the City of Paducah recognizes its employees are one of its most valuable resources, the City offers a confidential Employee Assistance Program for employees needing help with:
Depression
Grief and Loss
Relationship Problems
Alcohol and Drug Related Problems
Financial Pressures
Family Problems
Parenting Concerns
Stress
Anxiety
This list constitutes a brief summary of offered benefits. Benefits will be covered in greater detail upon employment.