Law Enforcement Dispatcher III

This position is designated as an Emergency Personnel Position.  Due to the nature of the job functions, this successful applicant may be required to report to work during an emergency or during non-business hours to support agency operations, even if state offices are closed or other state workers are excused from work.

The Communications Dispatcher is responsible for a wide range of duties, including answering telephones, communicating by radio and other means with MEMA staff and other agencies including but not limited to DCR, DFS, OPSI and DEP, maintaining situational awareness, providing timely information on emergency events and incidents to MEMA staff, other agencies, local emergency management directors and others. The position requires good oral communication skills, good writing skills, ability to multi-task and work under pressure. This person will serve as the emergency point of contact for the agency when dealing with a range of emergency situations and will be responsible for answering phones, operating two-way radios, monitoring public safety radio frequencies and the media and will follow protocols for providing emergency notifications and handling emergency and routine agency communications. The dispatcher will utilize various equipment for emergency and non-emergency notification and response for various emergencies and events, including but not limited to weather-related emergencies, hazardous material (hazmat) incidents, nuclear power plant incidents, mass casualty and mass fatality incidents, and other emergency and disaster related situations. Communications Dispatchers are responsible for maintaining and updating the MEMA electronic duty log and utilizing various computer databases and communications systems. Dispatchers are required to be available to workdays, nights, weekends and holidays to ensure twenty-four hour coverage. Perform other related work as assigned or needed.

1.  Responsible to provide dispatch coverage during nights, weekends

2.  Use 2-way radios and other communication systems meeting Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations and guidelines.

3.  Receive alerts and notify proper personnel of Nuclear Power Plant incidents (Seabrook, Pilgrim and Vermont Yankee).

4.  Operate the Emergency Alert Systems, siren controls and radios for Nuclear Power Plants as needed or required.

5.  Monitor and receive alerts and make required notifications of various incidents in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and surrounding states including but not limited to severe weather, hazmat incidents, large fires, missing persons, terrorist incidents, etc. Receive alerts and notify all New England states of seismic activity (earthquakes).

6.  Monitor local, state and federal radio frequencies to receive, evaluate and forward information for reportable incidents and respond on those systems as needed or required. Provide dispatch/notification services for other governmental units and agencies including but not limited to DCR, DEP, and others as needed or directed.

7. Implement and coordinate requests for support from MEMA’s Operations Division.

8. Coordinate statewide alerting activities utilizing the Federal National Warning Systems (NAWAS).

9.  Receive requests from communities including but not limited to requests for Department of Fire Services (DFS); Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Spill Response; Department of Public Health (DPH) emergency calls; and Department of Public Safety emergency calls, and follow notification and logging procedures.

10.  Receive requests to activate the Statewide Fire Department Task Forces, follow implementation procedures and notify appropriate personnel.

11.  Implement the Fire & Ambulance Mobilization Tracking System (FAMTRAC) during Statewide Fire or Ambulance Task Force activations.

12.  Monitor Emergency Management Network (EMnet) for critical warnings & alerts and notify appropriate personnel when required.

13.  Notify designated agencies with critical information during an Amber Alert and monitor the status of the alert until closed by the Massachusetts State Police.

14.  Operate the Health &a