Full-Time Public Safety Dispatcher

Job Description

The City of Kettering is accepting submissions for the position of:

Full-Time Public Safety Dispatcher

-      -   $30.12 to $39.69 per hour

-      -   Vacation, Sick, Holiday Pay and more

-      -   Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance

-      -   OPERS Retirement

Candidates who are interested in this opportunity should apply via our online application portal at www.ketteringoh.org/jobs and attach a resume and cover letter.

Submission deadline is 5 p.m. (EDT) on Monday, August 25, 2025.

The City of Kettering is recruiting for entry level and experienced candidates to fill current and future full-time Dispatcher vacancies in our Police/Fire Dispatch Center. This position is responsible for the effective, efficient operation of the Public Safety emergency communications equipment. Dispatchers may work independently or under general supervision. The Public Safety Dispatcher works with at least two other dispatchers during the normal shift and performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE POSITION: 

Duties include receiving incoming calls, obtaining essential data, evaluating the situation and initiating the appropriate responses. Dispatchers have a high visibility for their actions and decisions as performance is recorded. All dispatchers must be available for assignment to any shift covering the 24-hour period of operation, including holidays and weekends. Dispatcher work is stationary and requires sitting at a console for extended periods. Dispatchers must obtain a thorough operating knowledge of the Ohio Law Enforcement Automated Data Systems (LEADS) or other required computer systems, including Emergency Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), and must be able to code messages, enter messages or inquire into the system as necessary. Public Safety Dispatchers must also perform Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD), giving post-dispatch instructions to callers in order to aid persons needing medical assistance and as such must be proficient in EMD methods and practices and show proficiency in use of EMD practices.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Graduation from high school or its equivalent is required, or any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Applicants must have excellent listening and retention skills, a clear speaking voice and possess logical thought process. Applicants must have the ability to work well under pressure and have the ability to learn the operation of Kettering’s Dispatch Center. Candidates must exhibit the ability to remain calm in emergency situations, deal pleasantly with irate and emotional callers and maintain efficient operations at all times.

Due to the nature of the work, all candidates will be required to submit to a comprehensive police background investigation, including but not limited to polygraph examinations, medical examination, drug screen and a psychological assessment prior to appointment.

*All candidates, regardless of experience are ranked on the eligibility list by order of their test score on the initial oral exam.

Equal Opportunity Employer

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

This position is responsible for the effective, efficient operation of the Public Safety emergency communications equipment. On-the-job training is provided until the employee is fully qualified to perform independently. After completion of the training program, the employee performs highly responsible work in dispatching public safety services to include, Police, Fire and EMS services. Dispatchers may work independently, or under general supervision. The dispatcher works with at least two other dispatchers during their normal shift. Performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE POSITION:

Duties include receiving incoming calls, obtaining essential data, evaluating the situation and initiating the appropriate response. All dispatchers must display and exercise a high degree of judgment in dispatching crews, providing information to callers and/or referring callers to an alternative source. Dispatchers must be able to multi-task, as they are often required to perform multiple activities simultaneously and work with frequent interruption. Dispatchers have a high visibility for their actions and decisions -- performance is recorded. In addition, as dispatchers have access to sensitive information that is protected by law, they must perform their work with a high degree of ethics. Dispatchers must obtain a thorough operating knowledge of Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and other required computer systems as required. All dispatchers must be available for assignment to any shifts covering the 24-hour period of operation, including holidays and weekends. Dispatcher work is stationary in nature and requires sitting at a console for extended periods. Dispatchers are often the only contact citizens have with the Police or Fire Department, and as such their demeanor and competence in handling calls from the public combine to form what is often the first impression that people have of the Police and Fire Department and the City.

Operates standard telephone equipment, employing multiple incoming/outgoing and direct lines service, including the operation of E-9-1-1 and a TDD unit. Dispatchers also operate audio/visual monitoring systems. Dispatchers must obtain a thorough operating knowledge of the Ohio Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) or other required computer systems including Emergency Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and must be able to code messages, enter messages, or inquire into the system as necessary. Public Safety dispatchers must also perform Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD), giving post-dispatch instructions to callers in order to aid persons needing medical assistance and as such must be proficient in EMD methods and practices and show proficiency in use of EMD practices.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (Illustrative Only. The listed functions may not include all of the tasks that may be performed.)

Answers telephone calls from the E-9-1-1 system and other incoming telephone lines and assists citizens with information, advice or referrals to a variety of police/fire or other related services.

Answers telephone calls for emergency service (non E-9-1-1) as the result of injury or illness, fires, complaints and potentially dangerous situations. Also, assists citizens with information, advice or referrals to alternative agencies as needed.

Answers telephone calls for emergency service as the result of automobile accidents, criminal incidents, fires, neighborhood or family disturbances, complaints, medical emergencies, potentially dangerous situations, violations of statutes, and general assistance.

Performs Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD), giving post-dispatch instructions to callers in order to aid persons needing medical assistance.

Determines urgency of calls from citizens, records relevant information and dispatches the appropriate police/fire assistance, rescue and/or emergency medical units.

Operates a multi-channel radio in order to receive information, contact and/or dispatch apparatus/units.

Prioritizes calls received and dispatches all necessary units to the scene.

Operates computers using both standard office software and special application programming.

Monitors a number of radio frequencies and evaluates communications in order to determine how that information may relate to this community.

Operates and maintains multi-channel, digital recording device for incoming and outgoing telephone calls, radio transmissions and intercom calls.

Monitors and utilizes the LEADS/NCIC teletype system, receiving, entering or making inquiries regarding information as necessary.

Enters information into the CAD system using a computer keyboard regarding units dispatched, the status of personnel and/or equipment and requests for additional units.

When CAD system is inoperable, utilizes manual methods of dispatching.

Utilizes reference materials, such as maps and street locators and relays necessary information to dispatched units.

Receives and monitors severe weather and /or potential disaster warnings on tone encoded monitors.

Utilizes the electronic alerting system for emergency company notification.

Utilizes various paging systems to send messages to personnel and citizens, if necessary.

Maintains audio/visual monitoring of municipal building, court building and jail compounds.

Operates and controls electronic security lock system within municipal building, court building and jail block.

Creates, maintains and searches warrants and TPO files, as well as maintains key box and all spare keys.

Checks and maintains various pieces of equipment, such as emergency lights, alarms, auxiliary radios, etc.

Answers calls for service and assistance on TDY (tele-deaf) machine, converses with speech and hearing impaired subjects on the TDY machine and dispatches emergency crews or other assistance as needed.

Testifies in court or supplies written depositions when needed.

Monitors traffic cameras.

Regular and predictable on-site attendance required.

Performs other related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

· Operations and services of the Police and Fire department,

· Geographic features and streets within the service area,

· Office and communication procedures, practices, and equipment,

· Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation and grammar,

· Camera systems, court monitoring system,

· TDD/TTY system,

· LEADS/NCIC system,

· Emergency medical dispatching,

· Radio channels,

· Code Red Program,

· Evacuation procedures.

Skill to:

· Perform public safety dispatch, mentally organize and prioritize calls of an emergency nature    under stressful conditions,

· Operate public safety and 9-1-1 communications equipment and standard office equipment,

· Operate a mechanical keyboard (typewriter or computer), keying in information in report format,

· Read and interpret CAD system responses,

· Patience.

Ability to:

· Acquire, in a reasonable period of time, a working knowledge of appropriate terminology,

· Acquire familiarity with the layout and geography of the City, Kettering streets and major buildings, and to become familiar with the areas adjacent to Kettering boundaries,

· Hear well enough and listen carefully to distinguish between pertinent and extraneous information in an emergency situation,

· Recall important information obtained from callers about emergencies,

· Speak clearly and concisely,

· Exhibit mental alertness,

· Understand and execute clear oral and written instructions,

· Make decisions in the absence of clear cut guidelines,

· Deal effectively with irate or upset citizens,

· Remain calm and exercise good judgment in stressful situations,

· Remember and recall information on the status of dispatched units, descriptions provided, or other data either unavailable or not readily available on computer screens,

· Evaluate information, make reasonable decisions and translate those decisions into an appropriate response,

· Monitor multiple radio and/or telephone conversations simultaneously,

· Sit for long periods of time,

· Read computer display screens and distinguish between different colors illustrated on CAD and other equipment used,

· Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance,

· Learn from past calls and team members,

· Multitask.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

A high school graduate level of ability in English, grammar, math and spelling, or any equivalent combination of training, education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is necessary. Some degree of aptitude for filing, typing and cataloging information is necessary.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

All dispatchers must be available for assignment to any shifts covering the 24-hour period of operation, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. May be required to work hours in addition to a normal shift. May be required to ride along in a marked patrol car with a police officer or ride along in various fire apparatus with a firefighter to gain familiarity with police/fire procedures and the geography of the city. Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationship with city staff members, volunteers and the general public. Due to the nature of the work, all candidates will be required to submit to a police background investigation, polygraph examination and a psychological assessment prior to appointment.