Salary : $38,170.00 – $65,590.00 Annually
Location : Various Locations within the City of El Paso, TX
Job Type: Civil Service
Job Number: 19750-0923
Department: FIRE COMMUNICATIONS
Opening Date: 09/07/2023
Closing Date: 9/12/2023 11:59 PM Mountain
Requirements
MOS Code: 370 (Coast Guard), 2847 (Marine Corps.) H03A (Navy), 25S (Army)
Education and Experience: A High School diploma, GED or higher, and two (2) years general work experience, one (1) year of which included experience as an EPFD 911 emergency dispatcher or call taker or successfully completed EPFD Public Safety Communicator Trainee program within the past six (6) months.
Licenses and Certificates: Must be personally responsible for maintaining the following certificates while employed in this job class: Telecommunicator License from the Texas Commission Law Enforcement (TCOLE) to include Basic Telecommunicator License and Crisis Communications Certification within one (1) year of appointment. Texas Department of Public Safety Certifications to include CJIS, TCIC/TLETS; Federal Emergency Management Agency (NIMS Certifications); American Heart Association Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Basic Life Support (BLS) course or equivalent within three (3) months of appointment.
Depending upon assignment, the following certifications must be maintained while employed in this job class: International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) Certifications; Priority Dispatch Pro-QA Certification within three (3) months of appointment.
All licenses and certificates must be maintained during course of employment, to include Department and Division requirements for continuing education credits.
Special Requirements: Must be a current U.S. citizen (per requirement of TCOLE licensure).
General Purpose
Under general supervision, on an assigned shift, process emergency and non-emergency telephone calls requesting Police, Fire and Medical assistance and dispatch, monitor, and coordinate activities of Police, Fire and Medical personnel using a multi-channel radio system, depending on area of assignment.
Typical Duties
Provide practical emergency action advice to citizens and coworkers. Involves: Establish communication with the caller and maintain control of the conversation by dispensing pre-arrival instructions and explaining emergency self-help methods to citizens according to established procedures while responding units are en route. Assist less knowledgeable workers to overcome difficulties encountered in responding to complex or unusual situations. Receive and screen incoming calls for service. Involves: Answer calls within narrow time parameters. Evaluate the need for Police, Fire and Medical services by determining the exact nature of each incident, geographic location, governmental jurisdiction, and priority designation to be relayed to appropriate dispatchers. Enter pertinent information into computer aided dispatch (CAD) system and forward to appropriate agencies. Receive and answer requests for information from other law enforcement agencies, ambulance companies, hospitals, and the public. Facilitate communication of incident information to requesting authorities engaged in post-incident investigations. Contact the public to inform them of incidents involving family members as instructed by the case officer in charge. Telephone automobile wrecking companies to request removal service at traffic accident sites. Maintain data and operate equipment used to record incoming calls. Maintain awareness of job related, department, city, state and federal rules and regulations.
Dispatch and monitor police, fire and medical communications using a multi-channel radio system and enter information into computer aided dispatch system, depending on area of assignment. Involves: Monitor alarms, receive and dispatch calls and messages for police units, fire units or medical personnel. Confirm location of call or alarm, provide lifesaving instructions, and maintain accurate status and location of field units. Maintain daily computerized log of all field calls and units dispatched. Dispatch calls on the appropriate channel and enter appropriate information into computer aided dispatch system. Prioritize calls, monitor channels during critical incidents and dispatch appropriate public safety units in response to requests for police, fire, and medical assistance in a timely manner according to policy and guidelines. Record and relay information to personnel in the field. Keep direct supervisor and field supervisors apprised of emergency and unusual situations. Determine the number of units, and which units, to dispatch; initiate record checks for National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) requests, to include enter, update and retrieve information relating to wanted person, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other related information. Provide accurate and understandable directions to citizens, field personnel, and other law enforcement agencies and ask relevant questions to ascertain type of call for service. Monitor a variety of electronic equipment and radio channels. Notify supervisor of any equipment or system malfunctions. Use other computer system as required.
Produce data storage and hard copies of new or retrieved call-taking, dispatching and patrol officer transmissions utilizing a computer, radio and recording equipment. Involves: Respond to numerous subpoenas, testify in court, respond to open records from Officers, attorneys, city officials and other criminal justice agencies; expunge specific case information; act as the custodian of communications records as assigned, prepare chain of custody of recordings used as evidence during trials, and attend pre-trial sessions as requested.
Perform related incidental duties contributing to realization of unit or team objectives as required. Involves: Provide support for miscellaneous or special projects or activities such as emergency management drills as instructed by higher graded personnel. Explain and demonstrate work performed to assist supervisor in the orientation and general development of new employees. Monitor and notify supervisor of communication problems and equipment malfunctions. Maintain records, command logs and prepare reports. Keep tools, equipment and work area orderly, safe and clean. Maintain skills and certifications in all functions trained.
General Information
For complete job specification click here.
Test Date: An Evaluation of Education and Experience will be conducted.
Note: The recruitment process consists of the following and candidates on the eligible list may not be certified for hire until successful completion of all components: Evaluation of Education and Experience (Triple E), Spanish proficiency exam (depending upon assignment, not required), background investigation, oral board interview, audiogram, and psychological exam. You can also see a video about this position with the Fire Department by clicking on the following link: https://youtu.be/uiBPtqpTGuY.
Note: Candidates must provide a typing certificate to demonstrate they meet the minimum typing requirement of thirty-five (35) net words per minute prior to job offer. Candidates who fail to provide a typing certificate will be disqualified from the recruitment process. Typing credentials that have been completed within the last two years will be accepted from the School Districts, International Business College, University of Texas at El Paso, and the Texas Workforce Commission. For your convenience, the City of El Paso Human Resources Department offers typing exams free of charge by appointment only, at 300 N. Campbell, El Paso, TX 79901. Their contact number is 915-212-0045. Applicants who are current City employees, who are employed in a position which requires typing of a minimum of thirty-five (35) words per minute or more, need not attach a typing certificate. Typing certificate must be administered by a proctor, on company letterhead, state gross words per minute, net words per minute, and number of errors.
Note: Due to the requirements of Texas Commission On Law Enforcement licensing (TCOLE), the applicant must be a current US citizen. The recruitment process consists of a stringent background investigation and the applicant will be fingerprinted. Please click here for the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System Access (TLETS) licensing disqualifiers.
Note: Applicants will be scheduled to move forward in the recruitment process according to their rank on the eligible list. The number of applicants scheduled to move forward will depend on the number of vacancies available. Applicants must pass all components of the recruitment process before a final offer of employment is made.
Military veterans must submit DD form 214(s) Member 4 form at time of application to qualify for veterans points.
Note: Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. This position will close when a preset number of qualified applications have been received.A résumé and/or other documents will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Comments such as “See résumé” are not acceptable and will result in the application being considered incomplete.
To qualify for this position, required education, experience, knowledge and skills must be clearly stated on your application’s employment history. We do not use any information on your resume to review if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
Failure to fully detail all experience and job duties in the application, or copying/pasting directly from the job specification, or responses referring to your résumé will eliminate you from consideration for the position.
BENEFITS
LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE
Every regular, full-time employee who is paid by the City, shall be entitled to receive group life, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, health insurance coverage as provided by the City. Employees shall be eligible for enrollment during the City’s designated enrollment period. (Amended 08/28/07)
Employees shall have the option of membership in a qualified health maintenance organization (HMO) as an alternative to health insurance coverage. Should an employee opt for HMO membership, the City shall contribute to the HMO an amount equal to the health insurance premium the City would have otherwise been obligated to pay on the employee’s health insurance coverage. Any difference between the amount the City contributes and the cost of HMO membership shall be deducted from the employee’s paycheck and forwarded to the HMO.
ELIGIBILITY FOR VACATION LEAVE
All regular employees who are regularly scheduled to work on an average, a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week, who have held a position in the City Service for a period of six months from date of employment, shall be eligible for vacation allowance as hereinafter set forth. Part-time employees shall accrue vacation leave at a pro-rated amount of full-time entitlement based on the number of hours that they are scheduled to work. Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements shall accrue vacation as provided in the applicable agreement.
Regular employees in the City Service shall accrue vacation credit at the following rates per pay period, calculated from the date of employment of each employee:
For 0 – 5 years of service (12 days):
40 hour per week employees – 3.70 hours per biweekly pay period
For >5 to 15 years of service (17 days):
40 hour per week employees – 5.24 hours per biweekly pay period
For >15 or more years of service (20 days):
40 hour per week employees – 6.16 hours per biweekly pay period
SICK LEAVE WITH PAY
Employees shall be entitled to accrue sick leave with pay in accordance with the Rules of the Civil Service Commission.
ACCIDENT WITH PAY LEAVE
The Amended Section 4.4 of the Ordinance shall become effective upon adoption and shall apply to occupational injuries and occupational diseases occurring on and after date of adoption. Occupational injuries and occupational diseases occurring before such date will be governed by the Ordinance in effect at the time of the date of injury or disease.
PREGNANCY LEAVE
A) Pregnancy shall be treated the same as any other temporary physical disability.
B) An employee on pregnancy leave shall use accumulated and unused regular sick leave time and then (unless granted use of special sick leave) shall be on leave without pay, unless the employee chooses to use any accumulated and unused annual leave.
C) An employee going on pregnancy leave shall give written notice to her department head with appropriate medical verification. Before returning to work from pregnancy leave, the individual will provide appropriate medical documentation releasing the employee to return to work, as is required for any individual who has been on leave for a temporary physical disability.
LEGAL HOLIDAYS
The following days are hereby declared legal holidays for all the City departments, provided that the provisions of this section shall not apply to members of the Fire Department whose duties are to prevent or extinguish fires, or to members of the Police Department whose duties are those of law enforcement: (Amended 10/03/95)
1. First day of January (New Year’s Day)
2. Third Monday in January (Martin Luther King Holiday)
3. Thirty-first day in March (Cesar Chavez Day)
4. Last Monday in May (Memorial Day)
5. June 19 (Juneteenth)
6. Fourth day of July (Independence Day)
7. First Monday in September (Labor Day)
8. Eleventh Day in November (Veteran’s Day)
9. Fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day)
10. The Friday following the fourth Thursday in November (Day after Thanksgiving)
11. Twenty-fifth Day in December (Christmas Day)
12. Employee’s Birthday
In addition to the above days, the following days are also declared to be legal holidays: 1. Any day designated as a holiday by City Council. 2. When any legal holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be considered a legal holiday. 3. When any legal holiday falls on a Sunday, the following business day shall be considered a legal holiday.
01
Do you have a High School Diploma, GED or higher?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you have a minimum of two (2) years general work experience?
- Yes
- No
03
Within your work experience do you have a minimum of one (1) year experience as an EPFD 911 emergency dispatcher or call taker or successfully completed EPFD Public Safety Communicator Trainee program within the past six (6) months?
- Yes
- No
04
Can you type at a minimum rate of thirty-five (35) words per minute or higher?
- Yes
- No
05
Can you comprehend and express yourself orally, clearly and concisely, using proper diction in Spanish and English? (Please note: Spanish is not required for hiring.)
- Yes
- No
06
Per Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), one of the minimum standards to obtain a Telecommunicator License is that a candidate must be a U.S. citizen. Are you a U.S. citizen?
- Yes
- No
07
Candidates will be evaluated based on the information provided on both the application and the completeness of the responses to the Supplemental Questions. Failure to fully detail all experience and job duties in the application, or copying/pasting directly from the job specification, or responses referring to your résumé will eliminate you from consideration for the position.
- I acknowledge I have read and understand the above information.
08
An Evaluation of Education and Experience will used to evaluate your qualifications for this position.
- I understand that an Evaluation and Experience will be conducted to evaluate my qualifications. I understand that I must list detailed work experience and attach certifications/licenses (if applicable) to be considered in the evaluation.
Required Question