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Public Safety Dispatcher

National Park Service | Philadelphia, PA

Posted Date 10/15/2024
Description The purpose of this position is to serve in a Communications Center that provides public safety dispatch operation, in a complex environment, serving one or more units, jurisdictions, and/or agencies; full on-site access (query and input) to National Criminal Information Network (NCIC), National Law Enforcements Communications System (NLETS), and state networks; primary or secondary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) with full responsibility in public safety emergency response.
  • Operate a variety of telecommunications equipment to include, but not limited to, digital radio consoles, radios, multiline telephone system, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, mass notification systems, teletype, alarms, and personal computers.
  • Respond to emergency, medical and law enforcement calls and take initial action to dispatch appropriate first responders.
  • Communicate with the public and staff to direct calls to the appropriate offices.
  • Query and enter data into law enforcement databases.
  • Monitor CCTV surveillance system. relay information to law enforcement, prepare digital copies for investigators.

Physical Demands: Incumbent must function efficiently in a confined space for extended periods with no breaks and no opportunity to leave the confines of the Communications Center. The dispatcher is considered an "essential employee," meaning he/she is required to work most holidays, report for duty during adverse weather conditions, and be expected to work for long hours exceeding normally scheduled shifts in case of emergencies. Position is sedentary with high amounts of stress. Incumbent is subject to shift work, rotating shift work, and uncommon tours of duty. Work requires use of the voice in vocal communications for periods of hours at a time. Voice must be clear, audible, and tone effective with words plainly spoken and understandable. Incumbent must be able to hear clearly and discern a variety of audible communications and signals simultaneously. Incumbent must be able to read critical information from multiple sources, including computer screen, fax, and written log quickly and accurately. The work is of an emergency nature and is emotionally stressful. Incumbent must possess manual dexterity sufficient to operate computer terminals/keyboards and related equipment and to maintain written logs.

Work involves occasional lifting of boxes and supplies up to weights of 50 pounds.

Working Conditions: The work is normally performed in a well-lighted and temperature-controlled room. Noise levels are routinely high due to electronic equipment, telephones, radios, and other discussions ongoing in the performance of duties. The setting is typically confined and secure, and entrance and egress is controlled.
During the training period and/or on other occasions, the incumbent will be assigned to accompany field law enforcement personnel in patrol vehicles to learn or gain a more detailed familiarization with agency field operating procedures and jurisdictional boundaries.
Incumbent may not leave the center unless relieved by another qualified dispatcher.

Probationary Period: If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/28/2024-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.

For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.


To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: providing public safety dispatching (e.g., law enforcement, emergency medical, search and rescue, and fire) operations in an emergency communications center; providing instructions to callers for medical
emergencies using an approved Emergency Medical Data card-set; utilizing law enforcement computerized databases such as national
law enforcement telecommunications system (NLETS), criminal justice information system (CJIS), national crime information center (NCIC);
preparing records to capture all significant events for later analysis. You must include hours per week worked.


Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level(s) of this announcement.

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