The fundamental purpose of this position is to receive all incoming calls for Police and Fire assistance and dispatch necessary units to calls, utilizing Computer Aided Dispatch software. This position will also perform a variety of general support duties related to the operation of the communications center.

Essential Functions

Using a computer aided dispatch system, receive emergency and non-emergency calls from the public requesting Police, Fire, EMS or other emergency service; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priorities, and enter call for Police and/or Fire and dispatch necessary units, transfer call to or notify EMS.

Maintain contact radio with all units on assignment.

Maintain status and location of all units, notify units of all changes to incident priority, enter and update in the narrative of the incident with all additional information received regarding incident.

Must be able to sit for long periods of time, communicate clearly and effectively with and elicit information from upset and/or irate citizens.

Must listen effectively, exercise good judgment and sound decisions in emergency situations, must be able to hear alarms and other auditory warning devices, must be able to operate a visual display terminal for extended periods of time.

Must be able to read and speak the English language, must learn geographic features and streets of the City of Tyler, Smith County and surrounding counties.

Must type at a speed necessary for adequate job performance, must be able to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Must be able to comprehend and make inferences from written material.

Must respond to unit requests for computer checks on driver's license warrants, vehicular registration.

Must enter and clear stolen/wanted persons or items from computer system.

Must monitor several public safety radio frequencies.

Must be able to handle simultaneous events effectively.

Must spell accurately.

Must be able to operate a computer aided dispatch system, computer systems, and other office equipment quickly and accurately.

Must monitor CCTV security cameras; assist operation of cable override, callout of EOC, etc.

Must learn and follow the standard FCC broadcasting procedures and rules for operation of radio dispatch equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: High School Diploma or GED required. Must be able to type 35 WPM (net). Proof of the 35 WPM typing requirement can be obtained from: CritiCall Public-Safety Dispatcher Pre-Employment testing. The date of the CritiCall typing evaluation must be dated within the last year. Must be able to work various shifts as assigned; due to the unpredictable and critical nature of the work, must be willing and available to work additional hours beyond assigned shifts, sometimes with little or no notice.

Selection Process Steps

Medical Test / Work Fitness – Medical examination performed by a licensed physician. The physician must also be able to certify that the applicant is free of drug dependency or illegal drug usage.

Psychological Examination – Applicants will be required to take and pass a Psychological Examination consisting of both a written examination and clinical interview with a licensed psychologist.

Background Investigation – Applicant will be required to complete a Personal History Statement and appropriate releases and paperwork to initiate a background investigation.

Polygraph Examination – A polygraph examination will be administered as a part of the background investigation. The test will include investigation of the applicant's work history; driving history; military history and involvement in criminal activities such as employment thefts and drug usage.

Background and Polygraph will take approximately 4 weeks to complete.

Critical Test – Applicant will be tested on their ability to multi-task, listening comprehension, data entry, map reading, and typing speed skills and abilities.

Observation Period – Applicant will be required to complete a four (4) hour observation period, in which they observe a tele-communicators daily tasks and responsibilities. This gives the applicant an opportunity to learn more about the job and ask questions.

The selection process should take approximately 6 weeks.

An applicant who fails to successfully complete any of the required tests or is determined to be unemployable during the background investigation may be restricted from reapplying for the position for a period of time at the discretion of the Chief of Police. An applicant who is disqualified on the basis of a Texas Commission of Law Enforcement (TCOLE) regulation may be restricted from re-applying for the position indefinitely.

City Of Tyler Policy

It is the policy of the City to recruit, employ and to provide compensation, promotion, and other conditions of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information or status as a Vietnam era or special disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, and other protected veteran. The City affirms that employment decisions shall be made only on the basis of a person's ability to perform the essential functions of the job. This position does require presence in the office to perform the essential functions of the job. The City shall continually review its employment practices and personnel procedures and take positive steps to assure that equality of employment opportunity in the City of Tyler, Texas is a fact as well as an ideal.

The City of Tyler will accept two years of relevant experience in place of each year of college required in the job description. Four years of relevant experience will be considered in place of an Associate's Degree, and eight years of relevant experience will be considered in place of a Bachelor's Degree. Any experience required in the Minimum qualifications is in addition to years of experience substituted for a degree.

The City of Tyler supports a policy of a drug and alcohol free workplace. All candidates are subject to pre-employment testing, which may include, but is not limited to, Drug and Alcohol Screenings, Work Fitness Evaluation, Criminal Background Check, and Consumer Report/Credit Check.

No person under eighteen (18) years of age will be employed in any regular full-time position.

Persons under eighteen (18) years of age may be employed in temporary or regular part-time positions, if they furnish the City with a minor's release (Form 2-2) and are approved by the City Manager.

No person under eighteen (18) years of age will be employed in any position requiring the operation of a City motorized vehicle.

Starting Hourly: Pay $22.60 with full benefits.

*The City of Tyler Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.