Fire dispatcher job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Fire dispatcher in details. A complete job description concludes Fire dispatcher key duties/responsibilities, Fire dispatcher job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Fire dispatcher duties:

1. Receives and responds to emergency and non-emergency calls including enhanced 911, and non-emergency calls from the public, dispatchers, and law enforcement agencies via telephone and radio systems and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems;
2. Processes and evaluates information received, prioritizes calls and dispatches required units and/or agencies;
3. Monitors and coordinates police unit activity and assignments via police radio frequencies;
4. Maintains status and locations of public safety personnel;
5. Utilizes technology such as computers, radio systems, telephones, fax machines and other communication equipment;
6. Creates and maintains automated or manual logs of public safety communications activity;
7. Accesses and enters sensitive data in local/state/national databases as necessary for investigative purposes;
8. Enters and maintains files for persons or property pending apprehension/recovery;
9. Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties;
10. Keeps informed of departmental regulations, policies and procedures;
11. May assist in providing on-the-job training for Police Dispatchers and submit progress reports and evaluations on trainees.

II. List of Fire dispatcher qualifications

1. Knowledge of public service activity and methods of local government;
2. Knowledge of computer technology and equipment;
3. Knowledge of law enforcement terminology and procedures;
4. Knowledge of geography for the Town of Oro Valley and surrounding areas;
5. Knowledge of English language for spelling and proper word usage;
6. Skill in multitasking, coordinating simultaneous mental, manual and visual activities;
7. Skill in observing situations analytically and objectively and relaying details accurately;
8. Skill in communicating using two-way radio and telephone equipment;
9. Skill in operating a variety of communications equipment effectively;
10. Skill in reading and interpreting maps to determine locations and jurisdictional boundaries;
11. Ability to speak clearly and concisely;
12. Ability to think clearly and act quickly in emergencies;
13. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Police Department personnel, other Town employees, outside law enforcement agencies and the public;
14. Ability to meet attendance schedule with dependability and consistency.
15. High School Diploma or G.E.D.
16. At least 18 years of age
17. United States citizen
18. No felony conviction or conviction of an offense that would be a felony if committed in Arizona

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.