NJ Civil Service Navigator

SUPERVISING FIRE AND AMBULANCE DISPATCHER

Code: 06001 Local Competitive

Supervising Fire and Ambulance Dispatcher sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's local-government civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.

It asks for 4 years of relevant experience.

How to apply

This title is filled by competitive examination.

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Where this title is used

Supervising Fire and Ambulance Dispatcher is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.

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Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, supervises and works with a group of employees in a centralized communications center who are engaged in receiving and recording emergency calls for fire and ambulance service; supervises the transmitting of necessary alarms to appropriate personnel and the dispatching of needed equipment and personnel to proper locations; operates a variety of communications equipment; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

  • Assigns, directs, and reviews the work of subordinate employees.
  • Evaluates employees= work performance.
  • Solves problems related to the work and/or workers supervised.
  • Recommends acquisition of material, equipment, and facilities.
  • Records calls broadcasted and complaints received.
  • Reviews work in progress or on completion and spot checks work to assess the quality and quantity of work produced by each employee.
  • Informs employees about policies, procedures, and practices of management as they relate to the work of the unit.
  • Interviews candidates for positions in the unit.
  • Makes recommendations to superiors concerning appointments, promotions, reassignments, transfers, disciplinary actions, or other personnel transactions.
  • Hears and resolves complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious complaints not resolved to higher level supervisors.
  • Identifies developmental and training needs of employees, and makes provision for such development and training.
  • Supervises, coordinates, and participates in the work of the communications unit.
  • Schedules work hours for personnel.
  • Gives advice and assistance to subordinates whenever unusual or difficult problems arise.
  • Prepares periodic reports on the operations of the unit.
  • Supervises and participates in the training of personnel.
  • Receives telephone complaints and requests for fire and other emergency assistance from the public.
  • Ascertains addresses and information from caller and immediately determines the nature of the call and initiates action by relaying messages and dispatching fire and/or other emergency vehicles in response to the complaint or request.
  • Receives and transmits fire alarms.
  • Broadcasts instructions to firefighting units and other personnel.
  • Relays instructions or questions from remote units.
  • May relay emergency calls and messages to police, ambulance, or other emergency units such as Public Safety Telecommunicators.
  • Receives and files messages received.
  • Prepares and maintains a variety of records.
  • Contracts appropriate emergency personnel to respond to ambulance calls.
  • Dispatches ambulance drivers to desired locations.
  • Operates radio system used to contact ambulance drivers en route.
  • Maintains records of ambulance calls noting time, place, and special circumstances of the calls.
  • Operates telephone switchboards, radio transmitters, receivers, recorders, close circuit camera, video systems, computer terminals, and other telecommunication equipment to obtain necessary information from callers and to avoid unnecessary delays by responding emergency vehicles.
  • Gives suitable instructions to assigned employees.
  • Keeps related reports and records.
  • Keeps track of sick leave, vacation, and record of relief dispatchers.
  • Submits monthly reports to superior.
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Four (4) years of experience in dispatching emergency vehicles.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

  • Knowledge of problems, procedures, and equipment involved in receiving fire calls, transmitting fire alarms, and dispatching needed personnel and fire equipment.
  • Knowledge of fire and ambulance terminology.
  • Knowledge of locations of large buildings, streets, fire houses, and fire alarm boxes in the municipality after a period of training.
  • Knowledge of rules and regulation of the FCC with regard to transmitting and receiving radio messages as used in fire services.
  • Knowledge of first aid and firefighting principles, practices, methods, and equipment with special reference to communications, and of methods for operating centralized communications systems.
  • Knowledge of methods used to maintain essential records and files.
  • Ability to supervise and work with a group of employees involved in receiving fire and ambulance calls, transmitting fire alarms, and dispatching personnel and fire equipment.
  • Ability to give assignments and instruction to subordinate employees.
  • Ability to work harmoniously with others.
  • Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods.
  • Ability to understand what is occurring at the scene of emergency, anticipate what may be required, and to respond to the request.
  • Ability to recognize a probable omission in transmitting messages and to question same.
  • Ability to act courteously and effectively with people in emergency or stressful situations while remaining calm and objective.
  • Ability to record and transmit information accurately and clearly.
  • Ability to maintain essential records and files.
  • Ability to remain alert during long periods of time without loss of equanimity.
  • Ability to take immediate and proper action when emergency messages are received.
  • Ability to take proper care of equipment.
  • Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
  • Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
  • Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.