Dispatcher

Department or Location:

School Safety & Security Department

Position Type:

Classified / Non-Contracted

Job Title:

Dispatcher

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Reports To:

Lieutenant of Emergency Preparedness

Days Worked:

235 Days (12 months)

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent level of education. Must be able to complete the National Associations of Emergency Dispatcher Emergency Police Dispatch course (EFD) or the ability to obtain the same within twelve months of being employed. Must complete the Georgia Public Safety Training Center’s 40-hour basic Communications Officer Course within 12 months. Successful completion of Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Network Operator training within 60 days of employment (and every 2 years thereafter).

Certification or Licensure: Possess a valid State of Georgia Driver's License (or ability to acquire within 6 months) and a satisfactory driving record. First aid and CPR certification or the ability to acquire within 6 months of employment. Certification of typing proficiency is desirable. Post communications officer certification, and GCIC/NCIC certification or ability to acquire within 6 months of employment.

Skills: Ability to type from clear printed copy at a speed of 35 w.p.m. Possesses knowledge of procedures and practices for ensuring the safety and welfare of others. Ability to use a computer-aided dispatch system, and ability to operate a variety of communication equipment, including radio consoles, telephones, and computer systems. Must know or have the ability to rapidly acquire specific knowledge of Richmond County School System policies and procedures. Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of people and work amicably with staff to perform assigned tasks under general supervision. Excellent human relations, and oral and written communication skills.

Work Experience: Two years or more of responsible full-time related working experience is desirable. Must not have been convicted of a felony or some other crime involving moral turpitude.

PRIMARY DUTY:

This position is responsible for operating the RCSS Public Safety Radio Systems (RCSSRS). Enters all information pertaining to calls upon dispatch card and computer system and maintains dispatcher's log on the location of all personnel assigned to the department during the work day. Receives incoming telephone calls and two-way radio calls. Receive, process, and properly disseminate GCIC/NCIC information as governed by Georgia Law and GCIS policies and procedures. In the absence of functional areas, re-routes personnel and vehicles to satisfy emergency and or safety requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assist the Director or designee in coordinating of activities of School Safety Officers in routine operations and emergencies.
2. Determines the priority of trouble calls received and ensures that available School Safety Officers are assigned accordingly.
3. Relays information and technical instructions between School Safety Officers, appropriate department heads, and principals concerning safety problems requiring action not covered by standard procedure.
4. Receives check-in calls from School Safety Officers by radio, telephone, or in person and informs them of the nature and location of safety issues and dispatches them to the call site as necessary, or as directed, based on factors of safety, urgency, work schedules and proximity of available School Safety Officers to site locations.
5. Coordinate with emergency companies when their assistance is required.
6. Processes property and evidence for pending cases, work orders, and time permitting, enters data into the department computer.
7. Coordinates and prioritizes all emergency calls dealing with fire, power outages, etc.
8. Responsible for completing "Daily Absentee" and associated individual absentee forms.
9. Complete and maintain all requirements for a Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC),
10. Retrieving, maintaining, screening, explaining, and investigating employment-related background information both transmitted and received through such databases as NCIC, NCJIS, SCOPE, and all applicable sources while referring questionable information to the appropriate Human Resource administrator;
11. Establishes and maintains current TAC and ATAC procedures;
12. Ensures that all current policies and procedures regarding NCJIS, or any system accessed through NCJIS, are created, maintained, distributed, and available to all authorized agency personnel;
13. Follows operator security agreement and privacy laws at all times; monitoring all terminal use, enforcing system discipline, and assuring that the NCJIS, NCIC, and SCOPE administrative policies and procedures are followed and validation of all necessary data is conducted; maintaining documentation of distribution of all related training materials; maintaining secure terminals, with the monitor not visible to the public or visitors;
14. Ensures at all times that visitors shall not be left unattended in the terminal area; providing system security training for staff with access to criminal history information to ensure knowledge that visitors and applicants must not receive printed SCOPE information; monitoring error messages received and following up to correct the errors; monitoring system entries for accuracy and timelines; monitoring the disposal of confidential data obtained through all law enforcement communications systems including but not limited to CHRI, NCJIS, NCIC, and NLETS;
15. Coordinates all TAC/ATAC system training.
16. The employee shall carry out such other and further duties, whether specifically listed above or not, as are assigned or required by such employee's supervisor, other appropriate school personnel, law, board policy, administrative regulation, department handbook, as are reasonably necessary to the efficient operation of the school system and its mission.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, and sit.

Date Established: 01/2013

Date(s) Revised: 07/2024

This description may be changed at any time. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Board. Richmond County Schools reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.