Duties Description Working under direct supervision of the DEC Division of Forest Protection, serve as dispatcher for emergency and non-emergency calls from officers and the general public. Most calls are primarily directed to the mission of the DEC. Additionally, obtain necessary information from callers in order to initiate assistance; serve as radio dispatcher of police resources; perform clerical, administrative and other duties related to the dispatch center service. Candidates must be able to communicate and work well with other dispatchers and the public.
Work conditions include: sitting or standing for extended periods of time with headset on while monitoring computer screens; entering information using a computer keyboard; coordinating eye/hand movements while handling calls for the efficient use of radios and computers; speaking calmly and clearly in order to elicit information and giving instructions to a continuous flow of callers under stress; listening carefully to clearly understand caller information; making responsible judgments where timing is critical; and working within hearing distance of other dispatchers working under similar conditions.
Minimum Qualifications Minimum/Preferred Qualifications:
This a two-year traineeship leading to the Communications Specialist 1, Grade 12, title. The structure of the traineeship is outlined below.
Communications Specialist Trainee 1, NS=Grade 8: High school graduation or possession of high school equivalency diploma.
Communications Specialist Trainee 2, NS=Grade 10: Satisfactory completion of one year of service as a Communications Specialist Trainee 1; or high school graduation or possession of high school equivalency diploma and one year of experience as follows:
• police, emergency services, or public safety dispatcher; or
• member of a fire company or emergency medical services squad; or
• radio dispatcher of a mobile fleet; or
• traffic management center; or
• search and rescue position; or
• active-duty service and an honorable discharge under conditions in the NYS Restoration of Honor Act from the United States military, or active deployed service in the US Army Reserve or National Guard.
Communications Specialist 1, Grade 12: Satisfactory completion of one year of service as Communications Specialist Trainee 2; or high school graduation or possession of high school equivalency diploma and completion of all necessary trainings and certifications and two years of experience as follows:
• police, emergency services, or public safety dispatcher; or
• member of a fire company or emergency medical services squad; or
• radio dispatcher of a mobile fleet; or
• traffic management center; or
• search and rescue position; or
• active-duty service and an honorable discharge under conditions in the NYS Restoration of Honor Act from the United States military, or active deployed service in the US Army Reserve or National Guard.