Dispatcher II **NEW RATES** NEW POST

Job Duties of Communications Specialist II

The Communications Specialist II is often the unsung professional of the emergency response team. These professionals, who gather essential information from Communications Specialist I, and dispatch the appropriate units, must be able to take control of situations that may chaotic, stressful, and confusing.

They must be organized, adept at multi-tasking, level-headed, and trustworthy. Their work within emergency response services often places them in the middle of life or death situations, so requirements and training for these positions are often stringent, rigorous and unwavering.

A General Statement of Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

The job description for a Communications Specialist II may differ slightly based on the position: Communications Specialist I, Communications Specialist III (Senior Position), etc., which influence the job responsibilities associated with the position.

Essential job functions within a Communications Specialist II job description will likely detail the daily duties associated with the position, which may include the following:

• Operate a multi-line telephone console system, alerting system, and field staff communications devices.
• Translate information to the appropriate codes or priorities
• Determine and assign the level of priority of the call and enter the data into a computer-aided dispatch system for radio dispatch purposes
• Perform emergency medical dispatch and crisis intervention services, when appropriate
• Ask vital questions and provide pre-arrival instructions for emergency medical calls
• Monitor and operate a radio console and computer equipment
• Receive and respond to a variety of emergency and non-emergency services and complaints
• Ask questions to interpret, analyze and anticipate the caller’s situation as to resolve problems, provide information, dispatch emergency services, or refer callers to other agencies
• Identify appropriate number and type of equipment need, ie: extra crew for bariatric patients
• Relay important operations information during shift changes.

• Relaying information regarding unusual incidents to Command Staff.
• Operating the department command post during EOC activations.

• Coaching and mentoring of Communications Specialist I
• Participate in QC/CQI of all related events.

Required Knowledge

A Communications Specialist II job description will likely be very specific about the knowledge required to adequately perform the job. As such, required knowledge is an important aspect of any Communications Specialist II job description.

Communications Specialist II must generally have knowledge in:

• Safety and Security: Candidates must have knowledge of rules, regulations, and procedures, including safety procedures, such as CPR and first aid. Policies and procedures may refer to department policies and procedures related to emergency communications and disaster and special response plans.
• Customer Service: Candidates must have knowledge of providing excellent customer service.
• Telecommunications: Candidates must have knowledge of telecommunications systems
• Medical terminology and the ability to triage based upon diagnosis, priorities, treatments, etc.

Required Skills:

Required skills in a Communications Specialist II job description usually refer to both acquired skills and individual traits. It is therefore common to find the following required skills for Communications Specialist II:

• The ability to develop and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with fellow employees, representatives from other departments, and supervisors
• The ability to use logic and reasoning to reach conclusions and approaches to problems
• The ability to use judgment and decision-making skills to evaluate situations, establish priorities, and resolve matters
• The ability to critically think in a prompt manner
• The ability to work under stressful situations
• The ability actively listens and communicate effectively through clear speech and hearing
• The ability to follow instructions
• The ability to write clearly and spell correctly
• The ability to establish priorities and pass on information as needed
• Attention to detail with constant vigilance

Minimum Requirements for Employment

Individuals applying for entry-level Communications Specialist II jobs must meet a specific set of requirements as set forth by the hiring agency. As such, these requirements are clearly outlined in a general job description.

For most dispatcher positions, candidates must be at least 21 years old, and they must possess a high school diploma or GED.

Candidates for these positions must also expect to undergo a criminal background check that meets all local, state and federal requirements, drug screen. Successfully passing pre-employment testing through Criticall is required. This type of pre-employment testing is usually completed before a job offer is extended.

Another minimum requirement for employment for a Communications Specialist II includes the completion of a comprehensive training program during the first year of employment. This often includes classroom training and extensive, on-the-job training. Previous experience as or equivalent to, a Communications Specialist I or II. experience may apply and shorten the training period. First Aid and CPR certification are required in the first 90 days.

EMT-B, EMT-A/I, Paramedics, EMD/EPD/EFD, PCT are all Preferred but not required certifications/training.