Job Description

Public Safety Telecommunicator

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The South Walton Fire District (SWFD) is actively hiring for the position of Public Safety Telecommunicator. This is a non-exempt, at-will position that plays a vital role in the day-to-day operations of our Communications Division. Telecommunicators are the critical first link in emergency response, handling both emergency and non-emergency calls with professionalism and precision.

This position works under the direction of the Director of Communications or their designee and receives supervision and performance evaluation from the Communications Lieutenant(s) or Director based on effectiveness, efficiency, and adherence to established protocols.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Operate multi-line telephone systems, alerting and text-to-911 systems, and TDD for the hearing impaired
Transmit and receive communications on a complex 800 MHz trunked radio network
Determine call priority and accurately input data into the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system
Provide pre-arrival instructions and emergency dispatching for medical, fire, and beach safety incidents
Interpret and analyze caller information to anticipate needs and coordinate an appropriate response
Dispatch and coordinate multiple public safety resources and personnel
Monitor radio consoles and computer systems during active incidents
Use maps, computer systems, phones, and reference materials to manage emergency information quickly and accurately
Access and update various databases and information systems to verify or input critical data
Make strategic decisions when selecting emergency apparatus to support life safety and property conservation

The South Walton Fire District (SWFD) is a professional fire/rescue agency located in Walton
County, Florida. SWFD maintains 5 fire stations, a communications center and provides beach
safety services for the South Walton Beaches. SWFD is responsible for Fire Protection,
Emergency Medical Services Transport, Lifeguards, Hazard Mitigation, Public Fire/Life Safety
Education and Prevention as well as 911 Communication Services for an area of 84 square
miles. South Walton is an area that runs from the Okaloosa/Walton County line on the west, to
the Walton/Bay County line on the east and from Choctawhatchee Bay (Intracoastal Waterway)
north to the Gulf of Mexico on the south. Included in this area are 26 miles of beaches and 26
miles of inland waterways. The population of South Walton ranges from 40,000 to over 150,000
during the tourist season.

If you are interested in this opportunity, complete the application, attach certifications and return
to SWFD at 911 North County Highway 393, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459-5371. Completed
applications/resumes/certifications may also be emailed to career@swfd.org.

This position is responsible for operational work in the day-to-day operations of the
Communications Division. This position functions as a Public Safety Telecommunicator for
emergency and non-emergency responses for the South Walton Fire District. General
supervision is received from the Communications Lieutenant(s) or Communications Director or
designee, who reviews work and evaluates performance based on efficiency, effectiveness and
adherence to established procedures.

Major Duties:

• Operates a multi-line telephone console system, alerting system, text-to-911 system,
  and TDD system for the deaf and hearing-impaired.
• Transmits and receives transmissions on a complex 800 MHz trunked radio system.
• Determines and assigns the call's priority level and enters the data into a computer aided dispatch system for radio dispatch purposes.
• Performs emergency medical/fire/beach safety dispatch and crisis intervention services.
• Asks vital questions and provides pre-arrival instructions for emergency calls.
• Monitors and operates a radio console and computer equipment.
• Asks questions to interpret, analyze and anticipate the caller's situation to resolve
  problems, provide information, dispatch emergency services, or refer callers to other
  agencies.
• Dispatches and coordinates the responses of public safety agencies.
• Uses computers, telephones, radio, maps and printed resource materials to process
  emergency information accurately and quickly.
• Accesses various computer information systems and databases to retrieve, verify and
  enter data.
• Requires strategic selection of emergency fire and/or rescue apparatus to accomplish
  the goals of saving lives and property
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Required Skills:

• The ability to develop and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with
  fellow employees, representatives from other departments and supervisors.
• Knowledge of District policies, guidelines, protocols and related ordinances
• The ability to follow directions, protocols, and procedures.
• The ability to speak clearly and succinctly during stressful situations and speak with
  upset people in such a way as to determine the nature of the problem for appropriate
  call transfer and pre-arrival procedures.
• The ability to use logic and reasoning to reach conclusions and approaches to
  problems.
• The ability to use judgment and decision-making skills to evaluate situations, establish
  priorities and resolve matters.
• The ability to think quickly.
• The ability to remain calm in stressful situations; the capacity to work with advanced
  telecommunications equipment.
• The ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• The ability to write clearly and spell correctly.
• The ability to establish priorities and pass on information as needed.
• The ability to remain on duty for extended periods when staffing or other emergencies
  exist.
• The ability to report for duty in extreme weather and road conditions.
• The ability to perform multiple physical functions often simultaneously (listen, speak,
  record, type, and transfer calls)

Physical Demands:

• Reaching, extensive sitting, speaking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
• Exerting up to 15 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force
  frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the
  human body.
• Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and
  standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Must successfully pass the Fire District's drug screen, background check and reference
  check requirement as a condition of employment

Work Environment:

• General office environment.
• Position subject to high stress situations with varying hours of operations, extended
  hours of operations to include night shift work.
• Work shifts are performed in 12-hour shifts, day or night

Minimum Qualifications for Telecommunicator I:

• High School diploma or GED, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
  sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed
  above
• Valid unrestricted Florida Driver's License
• Must be able to work rotating shifts, days, nights, holidays and weekends.
• Must possess above average data entry and typing skills.
• Must be a non-smoking/non-tobacco using person while on duty as long as an employee with SWFD.

• Must have or obtain within 12 months of employment:
• International Academy of Emergency Dispatch
  o Emergency Fire Dispatch certification
  o Emergency Medical Dispatch certification
• Priority Dispatch
  o Self-Paced ProQA Training Fire
  o Self-Paced ProQA Training Medical
• Federal Bureau of Investigations
  o Fingerprinting
  o Criminal Justice Information Services Training
• FEMA National Incident Management System certifications
  o IS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System
  o IS-200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
  o IS-700 Introduction to the National Incident Management System
  o IS-800 Introduction to the National Response Framework
• Florida Department of Health
  o 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator
  o Nationally accepted CPR certification

Certified Applicants With Experience:
Applicants may be considered for advanced placement as a Telecommunicator II or III
based upon their certifications and experience.
SWFD orientation and probationary period still applies

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South Walton Fire District

Job Tags

Work at office, Shift work, Rotating shift, Weekend work,

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