Dear Applicant:

We are pleased you have applied for the position of Communication/Records Officer (911 Dispatch) with the City of Fife Police Department.  We will be establishing a certified eligibility register for hiring, and we request you carefully; read all the requirements.  A typing certificate from a career employment agency must be attached with a minimum typing speed of 35 WPM.  Only City of Fife Civil Service applications will be accepted for consideration.  The application must be returned to Fife City Hall, Civil Service Department, 5411 23rd Street East Fife, Washington 98424.

Only completed and fully signed application packets and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed.  All applications received will be screened for eligibility to participate in the examination process.  Applications will be scored according to pre-determined rating criteria.  Only those candidates receiving the highest scores on the applications will be invited to compete in the examination process.  The City reserves the right to close acceptance of applications at any time.

Lateral applicants must have a minimum of two (2) year of full time Dispatch  experience in Emergency Services (Fire, Police, or Emergency Medical Dispatch) with a break in service no greater than 24 months.

The applicant will receive, by mail, the dates and times of their appointment for the Oral Board to complete the testing process.  The passing score for the Written Test and Oral Board are both 70% and applicants will be notified of their results by mail as soon as possible.  In order to be placed on an eligibility register, applicants must successfully complete, written essay examinations and Oral Board interviews.  At the completion of the process, an eligibility register will be established in rank of test score order.  The register will be eligible for one year from the date of Certification by the Civil Service Commission.

Upon the applicant being interviewed by the Police Department there will be an extensive background investigation on each applicant considered for hiring.  Including criminal, WSMV, psychological, polygraph, and physical testing, medical examination, credit report, and drug testing and screening.  This may also include any history of illegal drug use.

The information contained in this packet is to reflect and describe the principal functions and qualifications for this position, the level of knowledge and skill required along with the scope of responsibility.  Individuals may be required to perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to balance the workload.

Once hired, this will be a regular full time position, with rotating shifts.  The employee must successfully complete a 12-month probation period before being permanently employed.  They must maintain a level of physical fitness necessary to perform the duties of Communication/Records Officer.

The City of Fife is a drug-free and tobacco free workplace.  The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, disability status, or any other basis prohibited by Federal, State or Local law.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the City of Fife Police Department.  Questions should be addressed to:

CITY OF FIFE
COMMUNICATIONS / RECORDS OFFICER

Class specifications are only intended to represent a descriptive summary of the range of duties and responsibilities associated with specified positions. Therefore, specifications may not include all duties performed by individuals within a classification. In addition, specifications are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the class and do not necessarily convey the qualifications of incumbents within the position.

BASIC FUNCTION:

Under the direction of an assigned Police Sergeant, receive and answer incoming telephone emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch appropriate response of units or apparatus; record and monitor police activity utilizing Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Receive and respond to incoming emergency and non-emergency telephone calls; obtain information regarding the priority of emergency; direct calls to appropriate units; provide assistance in emergency situations by dispatching police or transferring information to fire/aid dispatch as appropriate.

Record and monitor police activity utilizing CAD; maintain radio contact with units and request additional information as required; maintain CAD listing time of call, dispatch, en-route, arrival, clear, and nature of activity; update related information.

Evaluate incoming calls from the public or agencies served; request geographical locations, officer safety information, and other pertinent information to dispatch officers.

Operate radio, telephone, computer, alarm systems, recording equipment. teletype and other communications equipment as assigned; operate building and jail control panel and intercom systems.

Answer incoming lines to the Department; provide general information or route calls to appropriate individual or department; assist citizens with questions or problems relating to law enforcement procedures and policies; take messages for officers for Court appearance dates and times.

Prepare and maintain files, records and logs related to assigned activities including case reports, citations/infractions, booking sheets, photo files and others; enter and retrieve data on appropriate law enforcement information system to assist officers in the field and other law enforcement agencies; process fingerprint cards according to established procedures.

Prepare, enter, file, locate and clear warrants for assigned agencies; confirm warrants with arresting agency and teletype warrant to the jail; maintain records of locations where subjects are booked; notify Court of arrests and send warrant to appropriate Court.

Process restraining/protection orders to be served.

Monitor prisoner searches in camera prior to entry into the building; assist with the pat down of prisoners/subjects as requested by officers.

OTHER DUTIES:

Monitor other agencies radio frequencies to provide assistance as necessary.

Participate in conducting 911 system checks.

Enter and remove vacation/security checks requested by citizens into records computer.

Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Emergency and non-emergency units.
Policies and procedures of the Emergency Dispatch Center.
Proper operation and use of the CAD.
Basic record-keeping techniques.
Oral and written communication skills.
Telephone techniques and etiquette.
Geographical area served.

ABILITY TO:

Evaluate incoming emergency or non-emergency calls and take necessary action.
Prioritize emergency or non-emergency calls and dispatch to proper units accordingly.
Understand and follow oral and written directions.
Speak clearly and distinctly.
Listen to audio communications from telephone, radio and staff.
Make decisions during emergency situations.
Type or input data at an acceptable rate of speed.
Maintain routine records.
Learn, apply and explain policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
Complete work with many interruptions.
Determine appropriate action within clearly defined guidelines.
Work independently with little direction.
Operate assigned communications equipment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination equivalent to:  graduation from high school and sufficient training to demonstrate the knowledge and experience listed above.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Obtain and maintain appropriate certifications within established period of time after employment.
Successful completion of physical exam at time of hire.
Successful completion of psychological, polygraph exams.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

ENVIRONMENT:

Indoor environment.
Constant interruptions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone.
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.
Seeing to read a variety of materials.
Sitting for extended periods of time.
Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to file materials.

HAZARDS:

Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.