911 Emergency Communications Dispatcher

2026 Saline County

911 Emergency Comms Dispatcher

Job Description

Exempt: No

Department: 911 Communications

Reports To: Deputy Team Leader/Team Lead

Location: 102 So. Main Street, Level B, Benton, AR 72015

Safety Sensitive: This position is designated as safety/security sensitive and is subject to pre-employment, reasonable suspicion and random drug and alcohol screening.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

This position serves as a critical link in the delivery of county public safety services and is often the first and most important point of contact for citizens requesting assistance. Communications Operators perform specialized technical and operational duties in support of the County Emergency Communications Center, ensuring effective coordination between the public and public safety agencies. This role is considered an essential position. The incumbent is expected to maintain standard work hours and may be required to work additional hours or outside of regular shifts during emergency situations, including natural disasters or public health crises, to ensure the continuity of critical operations.

The position involves diversified responsibilities carried out in accordance with established county policies, procedures, and applicable laws. Employees exercise sound judgment in receiving and processing emergency and non-emergency calls via telephone and radio, determining the nature and priority of incidents, and dispatching appropriate law enforcement, fire, emergency medical, or other public safety resources.

This position requires working 12-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Shift assignments are subject to change based on operational needs of the County and do not imply or guarantee a specific or continued shift assignment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Answer emergency and non-emergency calls for service, gather accurate information needed to assist callers, and simultaneously enter this information into computer systems.

Calm, question, and provide instructions to callers using dispatch protocol systems; provide emergency assistance to callers until responders arrive (as needed).

Monitor multiple radio channels, handle multiple radio traffic, process multiple calls; process calls and radio simultaneously as volume requires; prioritize multiple calls for service.

Operate several computer/electronic systems including: Enhanced 911 console, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping software, Rapid Deploy mapping software, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) software, Priority Dispatch ProQA EMD software, Arkansas Wireless Information Network (AWIN), National Warning System (NAWAS), County VHF Radio Systems, Commander One Siren System, and local camera systems.

Operates national and state criminal information computer systems (NCIC/ACIC) to retrieve/update criminal information and motor vehicle/license records; enters, removes, confirms, modifies, and/or updates entries and data as needed; enters and runs inquiries on data such as vehicle registrations, driver's license records, criminal histories, warrants, lost/stolen property, or missing/wanted persons; receives BOLO notices and broadcasts/distributes as appropriate; ensures integrity/security of data and adherence to NCIC/ACIC requirements.

Establish important priorities in seeking and transmitting information as well as directing and coordinating action, which is frequently competing, time-sensitive critical information.

Sends appropriate personnel to emergency locations, such as law enforcement units, ambulances, fire department units, wreckers, animal control, coroner, or other agencies as needed.

Notify Emergency Management personnel of significant incidents and maintain situational awareness of all incidents or events that might have a significant impact on Saline County.

As the designated county warning point, maintain awareness of weather conditions by monitoring equipment and notification systems of watches and warnings.

Troubleshoot minor equipment malfunctions. Basic maintenance of computer systems, communications equipment, and general office equipment is performed; equipment is inspected for proper operation.

Maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism regarding sensitive internal and external information.

Maintain professionalism conducive to a person in a position of authority while representing Saline Emergency Communications.

Be reliable, dependable and be able to report for work on a consistent basis. This role is considered an essential position. The incumbent is expected to maintain standard work hours and may be required to work additional hours or outside of regular shifts during emergency situations, including natural disasters or public health crises, to ensure the continuity of critical operations.

This position, as are all positions within the 911 Emergency Communications Department, is subject to mandatory staffing regulations set forth by the 911 Board.

This is a safety sensitive position, and an essential duty of this position is the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.

Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High school or GED, plus specialized schooling and/or on the job education in a specific skill area; e.g., data processing, clerical/administrative, equipment operation, etc., plus 12 to 18 months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Required within first year;

ACIC Advanced Certification

FEMA 100,144,200,242, 700, 800, 907, and 1200 Courses

Priority Dispatch Emergency Telecommunicator Course

Priority Dispatch Emergency Medical Dispatch

Arkansas Smart911 PSAP Console Training

MCDR-1 Missing Children Course.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Communication Training - Problem Solving and Decision-Making Training

SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIRED

Advanced: Data Entry

USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTERS

Regular use of highly complex machines and equipment; specialized or advanced software programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Somewhat disagreeable working conditions. Continuously exposed to one or two elements such as noise, intermittent standing, walking, pushing, carrying, or lifting. May involve some travel and/or work is at times, in the evening or during the night hours.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

Highly repetitive, low physical. Highly repetitive type of work which requires concentration in the performance of tasks for consistent time cycles as prescribed by the tasks.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk or hear; occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; color vision; peripheral vision; de