Job Announcement:

CITY OF CRANSTON

DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL

ANNOUNCES AN OPEN COMPETITIVE AND PROMOTIONAL

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION FOR

FIRE DEPARTMENT CIVILIAN DISPATCHER

STARTING  SALARY: MINIMUM: $50,989.38               

The City of Cranston Fire Department Communication Center is staffed 24/7 and handles approximately 18,000 emergency calls and 2000 business calls each year. Each shift is comprised of a four (4) day work week. (including holidays and weekends) Two (2) ten (10) hour days, followed by two (2) Fourteen (14) hour nights then four (4) days off. Two dispatchers will be assigned to each shift. This is a civilian position and is not transitional for the position of Firefighter.

Duties:

This is responsible work in operating the Fire Department’s Communication Center computer terminals, radio, telephone, and teletype systems. The Fire Dispatcher is responsible for receiving and processing all incoming emergency and non-emergency communications between members of the public and the personnel of the Fire Department and other public service agencies. Emergency communications frequently involve fire and medical calls affecting human welfare and public safety. Duties include questions from callers to determine the nature of their problem; location; relative priorities of situations; type of response needed and dispatch of Fire and Rescue units in accordance with established operating procedures and guidelines. Fire Dispatchers also monitor and accurately record all responder activities. The Fire Dispatcher is expected to multi-task during stressful situations. Fire Dispatchers will be under the general supervision of the Battalion Chief/Deputy Fire Chief but will be required to exercise responsible discretion when necessary but also adhere to Fire Department and City instructions, policies, procedures, rules and regulations. Duties include accurately recording details of calls, dispatches, messages and operational personnel information; maintaining files related to emergency and non-emergency calls; scanning status charts, alarm registers, computer screens and circuitry. Performs other routine clerical work as required. Fire Dispatchers will be required to maintain the dispatch center work area and equipment in clean and in working condition. Other duties are to be performed as required.

Any work product produced by the employee while working for the Cranston Fire Department shall become the property of the Cranston Fire Department. Employees of the Cranston Fire Department shall not, either during the term of employment or any time thereafter, use or disclose to any person, firm or corporation any information concerning the business or affairs of the City of Cranston, the Cranston Fire Department or any other related agency which they may have acquired in the course of or incident to their employment. Employees who become privy to confidential medical/healthcare information in the course of their duties shall not disclose that information pursuant to the State of Rhode Island Confidentiality of Healthcare Communications and Information Act.

Uniforms:

Fire Dispatchers will be required to wear uniforms when on duty. The uniforms will be provided to the employee by the City of Cranston.

Shifts:

The Communications Center has two shifts. Each shift is comprised of a four (4) day work week (including holidays and weekends) with four (4) consecutive days off. Each shift will encompass two (2) ten (10) hour day shifts followed by two (2) fourteen (14) hour night shifts .  The position of Fire Dispatcher is designated as essential. This means that during an emergency, employees in these positions may be required to report to work and/or remain at their work location to protect, recover and continue operations.

Examination:

The examination shall consist of a written exam. The weight of the written examination shall be 100%. The minimum passing grade shall be a median score of 70%. Qualified employees will have the appropriate seniority points added to a passing score. You will receive notification of the exam date by mail. There will be no make-up dates for the examination.

Preference:

Honorably discharged active-duty war veterans who have received a passing grade of 70% on the test shall have five (5) points added to their final grade and disabled active duty war veterans shall have ten (10) points added to their final grade. In order to receive credit for veterans' preference, an honorably discharged active-duty war veteran must furnish DD 214 when filing application. A disabled active duty war veteran must submit proof that he/she has been classified as disabled by the Veterans’ Administration.

Applicant must provide DD214 with application.

VETERAN DATES FOR ACTIVE DUTY WAR VETERANS are as follows:

• December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946
• June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955
• July 1, 1958 to January 1, 1959
• August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975
• August 20, 1982 to December 31, 1987
• December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990
• August 2, 1990 to May 4, 1994
• September 18, 2001 – A period to be prescribed by law, an Act of Congress or Presidential Proclamation
• October 16, 2002 – A period to be prescribed by law, an Act of Congress or Presidential Proclamation.

This definition shall be further defined as "any person who honorably served in the armed forces in any conflict or undeclared war for which a campaign ribbon or expeditionary medal was earned and who was honorably discharged from the service."

Minimum Qualifications

Age requirement of 18 years or older. Graduation from a standard high school or GED equivalent. Rhode Island residency and US Citizenship. Dispatch experience including utility, transportation/trucking, private emergency /medical/security service, 911. Municipal police/fire or other equivalent dispatch experience is recommended. Other qualifications include working knowledge or the ability to rapidly acquire a working knowledge of a fire department organization, policies, operating procedures, methods and codes. Working knowledge or ability to rapidly acquire a working knowledge of the streets and areas of the City of Cranston. Working knowledge or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of the operation of a base radio, computer terminal, telephone, TDD, and teletype equipment. Basic understanding and experience with computers and database collection including Microsoft Office, Outlook and Windows operating systems. Ability to use photocopiers, fax and other office equipment as required.

 Must be able to read, legibly write, spell and speak in clear, concise English with good grammar. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. Must possess a command of proper telephone etiquette and be able to interact with the public with poise, tact, patience and courtesy. This position requires quality customer service with a professional and friendly demeanor. Must be able to think clearly and react quickly and accurately under stressful conditions. Ability to handle both routine and crisis situations efficiently and effectively. Must be able to make decisions, multi-task and be detail oriented be able to maintain satisfactory attendance and punctuality standards. Must demonstrate the ability to type 25 WPM (words per minute) within six (6) months of appointment.

The City of Cranston encourages diversity in its workforce.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

 

        

     

Please direct questions regarding this position to rmancini@cranstonfireri.gov