Under the direct supervision of a Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor, uses radio, computer terminal, or telephone to: receive and record reports of emergency and non-emergency information, complaints, messages, and requests for service, assistance, or coverage; transmit reports and messages to mobile units, persons or departments; and dispatch equipment and personnel to location where service, assistance or coverage is needed. Functions as call-taker and/or radio dispatch operator for fire, police, or emergency medical service, as assigned. Is required to work evenings, nights, holidays, and weekends as assigned; does related work as directed.
Supervision Received: Under the direct supervision of the Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor.
Supervision Exercised: None
Graduation from an accredited high school and a minimum of three (3) years of general work experience which includes using computer technology and interacting with customers and/or co-workers.
SPECIAL MANDATORY REQUIREMENT: Within one year of hire must obtain the following certifications: State of Connecticut Public Safety Telecommunicator, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Enhanced 911, and COLLECT/NCIC. As a condition of continued employment, all listed certifications must be maintained.
Note: As a condition of employment, the employee is responsible for maintaining all required certifications. Any lapse in a required certification shall be immediately reported to the employee’s supervisor.
SCOPE OF EXAMINATION: Qualified applicants must participate in a comprehensive, competitive examination process designed to test for required skills and abilities. See below for exam description.
Attachment to Examination Announcement for
Public Safety Dispatcher I
EXAMINATION DESCRIPTION AND SCHEDULE
The test process for Public Safety Dispatcher consists of a series of assessments. Candidates must pass each and all tests in order to obtain, and maintain, final placement on the Eligible List.
Part I - Computer Test
The keyboard performance tests, are scored on a “pass or fail” basis, and will assess the ability to:
A. Type at a minimum speed of 30 WPM with an error rate no higher than 5%; and
B. Enter alphabetic and numeric data with speed and accuracy.
Candidates must pass Part I of above to move on to Part II.
Part II - Written Test
1. Oral Communication
2. Vocabulary
3. Analytical Ability and Map Reading
4. Ability to perform dispatch work
5. Reading Comprehension
6. Interpreting codes and Information
Part III
1. Oral assessment to evaluate oral communication skills will be conducted during the course of the employment interview.
2. A recorded speech clarity performance test.
Part III will be scored, candidates who fail will be removed from eligibility.
