6J31
PAY RANGE: 8***
(Bilingual)
(General)
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is training level police emergency radio communications work. Employees in this class work on a rotating shift and are engaged in operating a variety of communications equipment in dispatching, receiving and transmitting information to departmental units, and receiving, screening and processing calls from the general public and police personnel. Employees learn to operate the various types of communications equipment under progressively less supervision as experience is gained and the incumbents approach the full performance level. Accessing and maintaining the security of highly sensitive materials is significant to the work. Work is performed under the close supervision of a uniformed officer.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
1. Employees in the class must perform training level police emergency radio communications on a rotating shift.
2. Employees in the class must be able to pass, prior to appointment, and maintain annual state and national fingerprint-based background check clearance as required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Security Policy.
3. Employees in the class must be able to attain certifications as a Call Taker and an Emergency Dispatcher as issued by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Association (PEMA).
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
Receives instructions and on-the-job training in the proper procedure for performing, and performs the following:
BOTH SPECIALTIES
Answers incoming calls from the general public; determines the nature and urgency of such calls by extracting pertinent information from distressed callers; re-routes and otherwise disposes of calls not requiring emergency police department response; selects proper situation code and enters pertinent information into a computer terminal keyboard; determines nature of pertinent comments to place in text section of terminal input format.
Types codes into terminal keyboard to display incoming call information; selects from available vehicles displayed on terminal screen which to dispatch; relays over a variety of radio bands data to selected vehicles; selects disposition codes to clear jobs.
Receives requests for information from police district units and other agencies such as the status of stolen vehicles and missing persons; utilizes computer terminals and system commands to access various police information networks and databases, including the Philadelphia Crime Information Center (PCIC) database, the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, to retrieve data in response to information requests; ensures the security and confidentiality of the information consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
Performs related work as required.
BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Answers incoming calls from the public in English and a designated non-English foreign language; uses both English and a designated non-English foreign language to obtain pertinent information on calls requiring police action; dispatches police equipment required for each situation.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
BOTH SPECIALTIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
· English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
ABILITY TO:
· successfully complete an in-service training program in the area of specialization leading to qualification as a Police Communications Dispatcher
· Acquire knowledge in the following:
· the local, state and federal laws and rules governing the security and integrity ofcriminal justice information
· the practices, methods and procedures in operating the computer-assisted dispatch system to dispatch police vehicles in response to calls
· the geography of the city
· the techniques of questioning for both emergency and non-emergency calls
· enforcement codes, procedures and practices
· the spelling of city streets and area names
· the location and boundaries of police districts
· the operation of computerized police information network systems
· use a computer terminal to enter and retrieve data
· type information into a computer terminal accurately and at a minimum speed established by the department
· obtain essential information from persons under emergency conditions
· think clearly and act quickly in emergency situations
· speak the English language clearly and distinctly
· understand, speak, read and write in English and a designated non- English foreign language for the bilingual specialty
· maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials
· identify non-emergency calls which must be referred to 311
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 8/15.)
EDUCATION:
BOTH SPECIALTIES
Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and the designated non-English foreign language.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to meet the physical and medical standards approved for this class.
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND/OR CERTIFICATES
Must be able to pass, prior to appointment, and maintain annual state and national fingerprint-based background check as required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Security Policy.
Must be able to attain certifications as a Call Taker and an Emergency Dispatcher as issued by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Association (PEMA).
Class Established 8/62
Spec. Revision: CSC – 7/11 Ad. Board – 9/11
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC – 8/15
Ad. Board – 8/15
Change in pay rate:
CSC – 7/21
Ad. Board – 8/21
Change in pay rate:
CSC – 3/24
Ad. Board – 4/24
CP