Position Purpose

****** PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU APPLY! *****
  Applicants must be available to work nights, weekends, holidays, AND overtime in a 24/7 operation without exception. Work schedules are set based upon the departments needs and seniority. Please only apply if you are available to work the shifts mentioned above. In addition, an intensive background investigation and drug test will be conducted as part of the hiring process. You must pass the Dallas Police Departments background process and the Civil Service exam to be considered for this position.

********************  First Responder Bonus & Incentive Pay! ********************

$3,000 bonus upon completion of Initial Probation

$150 First Responder incentive pay (monthly) once licensed as a Telecommunicator

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The Police Dispatcher receives and dispatches calls for police service and provides accurate and concise information in support of police field units to promptly respond to 911 calls ensuring the safety of officers.

Essential Functions

• Determines, assigns, and broadcasts all police calls, according to priority, to the nearest available field unit within geographic area of responsibility to respond to police assistance or other emergency requests.
• Maintains communications with Police Department personnel and provides necessary support to field personnel via police radio, telephone, computer and MDTs          
• Maintains constant status of field units and updates dispatch information utilizing the computer aided dispatch systems.
• Notifies and receives police related information from other police divisions or agencies to ensure information is communicated promptly.
• Informs field officers of major incidents, hazardous situations or locations where such information will be beneficial to prevent injuries to officers.
• Handles and operates equipment, computer terminals, printers with incoming dispatch requests; communicates with 45 to 50 field officers throughout shift and engages with other police personnel requests all at the same time to ensure prompt processing of requests and police information.
• Runs warrants and missing person checks on subjects.
• Runs vehicle registration and stolen vehicle checks.
• Sets up quadrants and coordinates with other field units such as K-9, Air1 and SWAT as needed.
• Operates various computer systems and radio console equipment.
• Performs any and all other work as needed or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION:

• High school diploma or GED.

EXPERIENCE:

• Three (3) years of customer service experience in person or over the phone required.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATION:

• Must obtain Telecommunications Operator License from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) within one (1) year of employment.

OTHER REQUIREMENT(S):

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must be available to work varying shifts including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• Must pass an intensive background investigation and drug test.
• No FELONY or Class A MISDEMEANOR convictions.
• No Class B MISDEMEANOR convictions within the last ten (10) years.
• No drug or domestic violence related convictions.
• Cannot currently be on deferred adjudication for any FELONY, Class A or Class B MISDEMEANOR.

PREFERENCE(S): 

• Applicants with a current Telecommunications Operator License issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) preferred.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• MS Office or similar software skills.
• Ability to type thirty-five (35) words per minute.
• Ability to remain calm in a stressful/fast-paced work environment.

EXAM DESCRIPTION:

• Exam covers data entry, memory recall, spelling, reading comprehension, sentence clarity, prioritization, map reading, cross-referencing and call summarization skills.
• Time Limit: N/A
• ***Please note: The CritiCall exam for this position can only be taken two (2) times within a twelve (12) month period.
• PICTURE I.D. REQUIRED

Supplemental Information

1 Knowledge of Dallas Police Department polices, rules, regulations, and guidelines related to the evaluation and dispatching of calls.

2 Knowledge of computer operation and dispatch codes.

3 Knowledge of geographic layout of the City of Dallas.

4 Effective listening skills and ability to speak clearly and distinctly over the radio.

5 Ability to operate a two-way radio.

6 Ability to effectively respond in a stressful or high pressure environment handling emergency and non-emergency communications in a calm manner.

7 Ability to handle several emergency situations at one time.

8 Ability to type 35 words per minute.

9 Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

10 Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.