A Dispatcher answers emergency calls and relays information from callers to the appropriate police, fire or ambulance staff. Speaks calmly with callers to get the information needed for emergency personnel. Keeps detailed records of calls and responses.
The UAPD Dispatcher recruitment process involves several steps and generally occurs over a few months. Once applications are submitted and reviewed for minimum screening requirements, applicants will receive an email to reserve a spot for the dispatch exam.
Job Summary:
The UAPD Dispatcher receives and processes requests from a variety of sources to include multiple telephone lines and radio frequencies for emergency and non-emergency assistance under moderate supervision. Dispatches appropriate personnel in an efficient and timely manner. Operates various on-line systems to enter, update and retrieve data. Maintains a variety of logs and files.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
High school diploma or GED. Alabama Criminal Justice Information System certification or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire. Must pass a written examination.
Post-Offer Requirements:
Final candidates must submit to and successfully pass a post-offer drug screen and must successfully complete a psychological evaluation resulting in a satisfactory determination of psychological fitness for duty in accordance with applicable federal and state law.
Post Hire Requirements:
Successful completion of a fingerprint-based background check conducted in compliance with applicable law.
Skills and Knowledge:
Good listening, comprehension, and communications skills. Ability to actively listen and communicate effectively and coherently. Ability to utilize independent judgment. Ability to effectively prioritize situations and information and make appropriate decisions quickly based on information received, especially during a stressful situation. Ability to maintain appropriate and constructive behavior and attitude in response to difficult or adverse situations. Ability to work autonomously as well as to work effectively with other team members. Ability to maintain good interpersonal and working relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, citizens, and other law enforcement agencies/personnel. Ability to represent the department to other agencies and citizens with a courteous, helpful, accurate, and business-like attitude in all telephone and personal contact. Ability to remain calm under all circumstances, maintaining a professional tone at all times. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to provide high quality, accurate work. Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously and remain focused under stress. Ability to hear and understand sound sources coming through a communications headset. Ability to speak and write English clearly. Ability to read and discern visual images on a variety of media. Ability to type accurately on a computer keyboard while conversing with callers. Ability to acquire and maintain a working knowledge of public safety communications equipment, practices and procedures, including departmental protocol and instructions, department specific software systems, the University of Alabama campus buildings and locations, appropriate law enforcement codes, etc. Must be able to work shifts with varying schedules to include holidays and be on stand-by during emergency threatening situations, such as severe weather, natural disasters, etc.
Preferred Qualifications:
Previous law enforcement or emergency response dispatch experience. Previous experience in law enforcement environment.
Background Investigation Statement:
Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation
DOES NOT
automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity :
The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the
EEOC's Know Your Rights:
Workplace discrimination is illegal poster. The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.
