PUBLIC SERVICE DISPATCH AIDE

60310

(Competitive)

(Non-competitive in Villages

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

 

Under general supervision of a Law Enforcement Officer, an employee in this class performs many of the duties of a Public Service Dispatcher. Included in these duties may be the operation of a two-way radio, an Onondaga Law Enforcement Information System (OLEIS) computer, a Data Speed-40 teletype machine and a tele-copyer. What distinguishes this class from a Public Service Dispatcher, is that while employees in this class have the authority to dispatch Law Enforcement, Fire or Ambulance vehicles, they do not normally do so.

In the case of Law Enforcement agencies which are a part of the Mobile Radio District (MRD) System, the normal dispatching is done by Public Service Dispatchers in the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department. If a call comes directly to the agency instead of to the Sheriff's Department, and if it is deemed to be an emergency situation, such as a crime in progress, then an employee in this class will dispatch a law Enforcement vehicle. In addition, if the locality has its own ambulance service, an employee in this class will dispatch ambulances for emergencies occurring locally.

Generally, an employee in this class follows prescribed procedures, particularly with regards to determining what constitutes an emergency. Any changes in these prescribed procedures are usually made by the Chief Law Enforcement Officer or by the Shift Supervisor, normally a Sergeant. Work is reviewed by the Chief Law Enforcement Officer or the Shift Supervisor, through observation of performance and review of records. Supervision is not normally exercised in this class. Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

 

Monitors, receives and transmits communications over a central two-way radio, regarding Law Enforcement, Fire and Ambulance vehicles.

Records all calls for Law Enforcement Officers on a complaint card, including nature of complaint, name, address and phone number of complainant, the name of the Officer assigned to handle the complaint and the final disposition.

Answers requests for information, such as requests for bicycle registrations, lost animals, or stolen items, either from calls received over the telephone or from persons coming into the police station.

Records in writing all radio communications sent and received. Records the name of the unit sending or receiving the communication, time of the communication, where the unit is located and summary of the message sent or received.

Receives requests from the local police or other police departments for information on prior arrests, traffic violations, dangerous person status, etc. Retrieves the necessary information either from available files or from the OLEIS computer and sends the information to the proper authorities.

Monitors all radio calls, usually on several channels, to anticipate needs for more equipment or requests for aid by other agencies.

May sound the fire alarm for fires occurring within the limits of the jurisdiction.

May dispatch police vehicles under emergency conditions, such as a crime in progress, when the call is received directly by the locality and not by the MRD System.

May do typing of a minor nature, not requiring a skilled typist, including complaint cards, arrest records, inquiries and investigation reports.

May file routine clerical records, including tapes from teletype; machine, condition of radio equipment, and incoming and outgoing calls.

May, after intensive training courses, operate Breathalyzer to determine alcohol content of prisoners' breath.

May testify in court to results of test and how it was conducted.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

 

Good knowledge of police, fire ambulance, and other public safety operations, personnel and equipment.

Good knowledge of highways, roads, and streets in the jurisdiction.

Ability to discern actual emergency calls from calls routinely handled by the Sheriff's Department, and to dispatch proper vehicles to handle an emergency.

Ability to speak with good diction and a clear speaking voice.

Ability to use good judgement, tact, and courtesy in responding to phone calls.

Ability to deal with the general public, including stress situations.

Ability to maintain a variety of clerical records, including logs, lists and simple filing.

60310

 

Knowledges, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics cont’d.

 

Ability to learn department codes and standard operating procedures.

Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

There are no minimum qualifications for this position.

 

07/03 Revised