As-Needed 911 Dispatcher

The Lyon County Emergency Communications Center is seeking as-needed 911 Dispatchers to assist the Center part-time.

This is a non-exempt, PRN part-time position and is not benefit eligible. Salary begins at $22.00 per hour.

911 Dispatchers act as the key communications link between the public and emergency services. Employees in this position are responsible for triaging requests, providing guidance and assistance in life-safety situations, and coordinating responses to high-risk operations, all while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

Candidates for this position must have at least two years of experience in 911 Dispatch/Emergency Communications as well as a high school diploma or equivalent. Candidates will be required to pass pre-employment testing including a background check, physical, work screen, and drug test.

Lyon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans Preference applies to all Lyon County positions.

Disclaimer: The above information on this announcement has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employee assigned to this job.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

1. JOB SUMMARY: This is a non-exempt, Grade 4 position. This essential role acts as the key communications link between the public and emergency services. You will be the first point of contact when people seek help. You must excel in a high-stress environment, handling and evaluating emergency and administrative requests for services such as law enforcement, fire, and EMS. Your responsibilities include triaging requests, providing guidance and assistance in life-safety situations, and coordinating responses to high-risk operations, all while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
3. PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF WORK:

The primary responsibility of the Communications Officer is to protect citizens and emergency responders during the emergency incident. These include:

• Screen emergency service requests using training and policies, and handle calls from various communication methods (phone, text, video, automated data).

• Use technology to communicate effectively with callers.

• Interpret sensor data to triage and prioritize emergency responses.

• Apply knowledge of law enforcement, fire, and EMS protocols to quickly prioritize calls with minimal supervision.

• Communicate clearly with callers in various emotional states, demonstrating active listening and empathy.

• Provide pre-arrival and post-dispatch instructions for critical situations (e.g., CPR, childbirth, active shooter).

• Manage challenging callers, including those who are distressed, disabled, or non-English speakers.

• Counsel suicidal individuals, domestic violence victims, and children directly.

• Gather and verify incident information from callers and available data sources, and relay this information to emergency services.

• Prioritize events based on resources and critical thinking.

• Use TDD and relay services for hearing-impaired callers.

• Coordinate with language interpretation services and mental health resources as needed.

• Communicate via text-to-911 and interpret caller location using geographic tools.

• Verify automatic number and location data for accuracy using mapping software.

• Maintain communication during emergencies, providing safety instructions until responders arrive.

• Use available information to protect public and responders, and identify the need for specialized resources.

• Use training and protocols to handle live-streaming videos and graphic images effectively.

• Document incident details quickly and accurately to categorize and prioritize the response.

• Communicate effectively with responders using appropriate terminology and codes.

• Assume incident command and review call details until responders arrive.

• Check on responder health and safety using available technology.

• Document all incident activities thoroughly while staying aware of the scene.

• Operate emergency and backup communication systems efficiently.

• Transfer calls to appropriate resources and perform conference calls as needed.

• Use knowledge of local geography to improve emergency response times.

• Operate multiple computer systems, CAD software, GIS, and communication tools simultaneously.

• Notify key personnel of critical incidents and coordinate with other agencies as necessary.

• Use mass notification software and social media to inform the public of emergencies.

• Activate community warning systems for critical information (e.g., severe weather).

• Manage documentation for legal purposes and maintain chain of custody.

• Remain calm under stress and manage multiple conversations and noisy environments.

• Complete necessary training and certifications, and pursue ongoing education.

• Adhere to agency policies, liability considerations, and federal privacy laws.

• Use debriefing and stress management techniques to handle emotional strain from demanding situations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Receiving and responding to calls for service
2. Relaying vital information to responding units and/or summoning the appropriate agency response.
3. Maintenance of accurate radio and telephone logs
4. Accurately entering critical data into computer
5. Retrieving and completing accurate data entry into the Computer-Aided Dispatch system.
6. Duty to maintain a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner so that employee gets along with customers, citizens, coworkers and management.
7. Being pleasant, respectful and civil with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
8. Maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
9. Obligation to be reliable, responsible, dependable, and fulfill duties.
10. Must show up for work on a regular and predictable basis as scheduled

1. MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:
2. These include but are not limited to:
   1. Accurately completing warrant, PFA (Protection from Abuse) Orders and NCIC entries and validations
   2. Map reading and analysis
   3. Documentation
   4. Clean communications area
   5. Other related work as required or directed
4. QUALIFICATIONS
5. 1. Experience: Prior experience is not required. Public safety communications experience is desirable. Employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job within acceptable standards after six months in this position. Employee will be required in an additional six months to demonstrate competency and proficiency. A minimum of 30 WPM is required.
   2. Education: High School Diploma or GED required. Requires receiving at least twenty (20) hours of continuing education training annually to maintain proficiency and certifications. Ability to speak and read English fluently is required. The ability to speak and/or read additional language(s) is helpful.
      1. Emergency Medical Dispatch certification is required to be obtained during the training period. Recertification is required throughout employment. Employees not passing initial testing, and not meeting the minimum initial score to be eligible for re-testing, necessitating a second attendance through the full course, shall not be retained.
   3. Citizenship: Employees must be a United States Citizen or otherwise be legally entitled to work in the United States.
   4. Accountability: Employee is accountable for the efficient and acceptable performance of his/her duties and responsibilities.
   5. Supervision: Limited supervision is provided by the Shift Supervisor and/or other supervising personnel.
   6. Personal Relations: Frequent contact with other departments and continual contact with the general public. Employees in this position must be able to maintain a calm, professional demeanor while effectively gathering information necessary to provided needed assistance to all citizens.
   7. Working Conditions: Adverse working conditions exist to public safety communication personnel. This position is sedentary in nature with minimal tasks that require lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying medium weight (25-30 pound) loads.
   8. Special Requirements: Because of the confidential, sensitive nature of information processed, and Criminal Justice Information Systems regulations, an employee must be able to pass a background investigation and polygraph examination. Felony criminal history will automatically disqualify or terminate employment.
   9. Physical Requirements:
      1. Employees hired after August, 2018: Lyon County (Company) understands that a job analysis is being completed in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). One of the outcomes of the job analysis is the determination of one or more job specific tests that will either qualify or disqualify the post-offer or post-employment (fit for duty) candidate for the position. For the Classification Series of LYON COUNTY: OFFICE PERSONNEL: The Company representative hereby acknowledges the following as valid physical requirements:

1. Employee lifts/carries 50 pounds occasionally (less than 33% of the time or 1-100 times per day).

1. Employee lifts/carries 25 pounds frequently (34%-66% of the time or 100-500 times per day).

1. Employee lifts/carries 10 pounds constantly (67%-100% of the time or over 500 times per day).

1. Employees position requires pushing a maximum force of 5 pounds.

1. Employees position requires pulling a maximum force of 5 pounds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: LIFT/CARRY:

Stand: O 10 lbs. or less: C

Walk: O 11-20 lbs.: F

Sit: O 21-50 lbs.: F

Handling: N 51-100: N

Reach Outward: O Over 100 lbs.: N

Reach above shoulder: O Push/Pull:

Climb: O 12 lbs. or less: C

Crawl: O 13-25 lbs.: F

Squat or kneel: O 26-40 lbs.: O

Bend: O 41-100 lbs.: N

N (not applicable) Activity is not applicable to this occupation.

O (Occasionally) Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0-2.5+hrs/day).

F (frequently) Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5-5.5+hrs/day).

C (Constantly) Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs. per day).

DISCLAIMER

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Lyon County abides by the At-Will Doctrine. Nothing contained in this creates an express or implied contract of employment.

This job description has been examined for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA).

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to successfully perform the job.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.