This position will be open from April 17, 2024 to April 23, 2024 by 4:00pm.

This position is only open to DRPA IUOE Local 542 Employees only

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Position Purpose:

Under the direction of the Corporal, Sergeant, or Lieutenant of Police, the Lead Dispatcher is responsible for sending, receiving, recording and disseminating information using a variety of police communications equipment (e.g. police radio, intercom, telephone, computer and cameras, among other equipment), and coordinating the overall Public Safety Advisory and Response system. The Lead Dispatcher is responsible for making decisions based on established Public Safety Division policies and procedures. Under direction to supervise, assign, review and participate in the dispatch of police and other Authority personnel; receive, interpret and code “911” or related information; ensure work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures, and perform related work as required.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skill, and ability required. The Authority will adhere to all applicable laws and regulations in assessing an employee's ability to carry out or otherwise meet the job requirements set forth herein in a satisfactory manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Supervises, reviews, verifies, and evaluates the work of subordinate and assigned employees in their areas of work including emergency dispatching methods, procedures, and techniques.
2. Coordinates emergency calls and relays requests, questions or information from personnel in the field to the Watch Commander.
3. Frequently monitors and makes moderate to difficult decisions relative to nature of call, call entry, call stacking, unit assignment, and unit utilization handled by subordinates and may transfer caller to appropriate upon making this determination.
4. Reviews needs with appropriate management staff.
5. Allocates resources accordingly.
6. Recommends and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives.
7. Implements approved policies and procedures.
8. Provides or coordinates staff training. Trains and oversees new and current operators on the C/O’s duties and responsibilities; works with employees to correct deficiencies.
9. The Lead Dispatcher often deals with callers in a state of panic, and must promptly and effectively multitask in varied emergency situations. The Lead Dispatcher additionally handles calls of complaints and various other administrative decisions both during times of emergencies and non-emergencies.
10. This position is required to have completed and maintain state and federal mandated programs and refresher courses and required to participate in reoccurring in-service training programs as ordered by the Police Chief.
11. Follow assigned chain-of-command, and performs other related duties as required and assigned.
12. Plans work schedules to ensure even flow and distribution of work, expeditious handling of priority cases, and meeting of schedules and deadlines.
13. Supervises employees in and operates automatic number identification (ANI), automatic location information (ALI), telecommunications devices for the deaf (TTY/TDD), or other electronic devices to obtain and verify required data.
14. Seeks guidance from management when circumstances warrant significant deviation from pre-established response plans.
15. Performs duty of NJ CJIS TAC officer.
16. Supervises the preparation of reports, statistical data, maintenance of the records, and logs of all incoming and outgoing communications.
17. Inspects and makes minor adjustments or very minor repairs to communications and related equipment. Assists with radio repair contracts and contractors, implementation of communication services and interoperability as needed.
18. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording, communications, applications, devices and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to all provisions of the DRPA/PATCO’S Substance Abuse Testing and Control Policy including random drug testing and periodic physical testing requirements.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:

1. The individual must remain calm in emotionally charged situations, work efficiently under stress and exercise good judgment in emergency situations.
2. The individual must organize and maintain records, remember numerous details, train and supervise personnel.
3. The individual must communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
4. The individual must establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted during work.
5. The individual must pursue training and development opportunities to continuously build knowledge and skills. Must be willing to share expertise with others.
6. The individual must be able to read, understand written and verbal instructions, speak and write clearly to communicate effectively.
7. The individual must display an openness to other views, must be able to balance team and individual responsibilities. Must contribute to building a positive team spirit by supporting everyone’s efforts to succeed.
8. The individual must show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences and work toward promoting a harassment-free environment and diverse workforce. The individual must treat everyone with respect, work with integrity and uphold and support organizational values and goals.
9. The individual must follow and enforce all organizational policies, procedures and established guidelines.
10. The individual must be able to prioritize and plan work activities using time efficiently. He or she must react well under pressure and accept responsibilities for his/her own actions. The individual must respond to management direction.
11. The individual must demonstrate professionalism, a person of authority, accuracy, thoroughness, and teamwork, receive and apply feedback to improve performance and monitor his or her own work to ensure quality. The individual should always be willing to generate suggestions to improve individual, unit and departmental performance.
12. Knowledge of operations, services and activities of public safety dispatch programs, as well as modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and related software.
13. Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision and training.
14. Knowledge of methods for operating communications systems.
15. Knowledge of the types, disadvantages, and advantages of available communication systems.
16. Knowledge of security procedures involved in the dissemination of information.
17. Knowledge of emergency management procedures.
18. Knowledge of procedures for investigating and resolving complaints.
19. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
20. Ability to supervise and work with a group of employees involved in receiving and responding to calls for emergency assistance and in dispatching personnel and equipment.
21. Ability to effectively evaluate the performance of employees.
22. Ability to give assignments and instructions to employees.
23. Ability to train employees and others in the performance of their assignments.
24. Ability to supervise the preparation of statistical reports and the maintenance of records and files.
25. Ability to establish goals and set priorities for both the agency, unit, and subordinates
26. Ability to relay instructions or questions accurately and clearly.
27. Ability to comprehend, interpret, and evaluate relevant information from various types of source materials.
28. Ability to obtain and analyze facts to reach logical conclusions.
29. Ability to interact with people who are in differing situations.
30. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
31. Ability to speak clearly, concisely, and in a professional manner.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Dispatcher

Education and Experience

Required:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Telecommunicator I Communications Officer certified as recognized by NJ OET’s.
• Communications Training Officer (CTO) certified.
• Three (3) years of experience in work involving the receiving, transmitting, and relaying of video display and/or radio messages and in the receiving, relaying, and r0065cording of complaints and requests for emergency assistance which shall have included the use of video display, data processing, automatic number identification, automatic location identification, switching equipment, or other computer oriented equipment.
• Must have achieved training and certification by the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services (OETS) in the Department of Law and Public Safety as required by NJAC 17:24-2 and NJAC 17:24-3.
• Proficiency in Police computer applications (CJIS system, CAD system and InfoCOP).
• Proficiency in relevant personal computer applications such as word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Required to possess a valid driver's license to operate company vehicles when necessary.
• Must be able to carry out orders with precision and speed.
• Must have the ability to make decisions quickly and accurately.
• Must have the ability to speak clearly and concisely.
• Must have the ability to deal with the public in a courteous and tactful manner.
• The employee will be required to work overtime for operational needs when necessary.

Preferred:

• 5 years emergency services response or supervisor with the DRPA/PATCO Police Department; or 5 years emergency services dispatch as a primary operator with the DRPA/PATCO Police Department.
• Experience Scheduling personnel.
• Experience handling Incident Command situations
• Experience operating in Command Centers during both emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Experience in training and coordinating training of personnel.
• Experience in reviewing performance and providing both summary and details reports.
• Knowledge of state statutes and operational requirements for a Communications Center.
• Experience designing course curriculum and course materials.
• Experience as a Communications Training Officer in the Public Safety environment is highly desirable.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit (85%). The employee is required to stand and walk (10%) and lift, climb, bend (5%). The employee must occasionally lift, hold, and carry objects up to 25 + pounds. Have normal day and night time vision, corrected or uncorrected. Have normal hearing, corrected or uncorrected. Must be able to perform all position functions. Must be able to physically operate all job-related equipment to position functions. The employee must maintain a neat, clean and professional appearance.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

1. The employee must be organized, work well and multitask under pressure, and be able to prioritize assignments appropriately.
2. The employee must communicate well with the public, and remain poised under pressure.
3. The employee must understand the importance of discretion and adherence to deadlines.

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EEO/AA/DVM

Required Skills

Required Experience