EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL WORK: Answers all 911 calls for emergency personnel, dispatch officers, relays all relevant information and corresponds with the caller through the CAD system; Responds to all incoming radio calls from Police Officers and other agencies and operates a National Crime Information Computer when information is requested from Police personnel; Processes emergency and non-emergency requests for assistance from 911 and conventional telephone lines; Processes all Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) entry; Receives and dispatches radio transmissions on Police information channels; Performs Federal and local background checks on individuals with whom officers come in contact; Maintains logs and records of calls received and the nature of each dispatch; Transfers calls to proper local, State, and Federal officials as necessary; Handles varied emergency situations dealing with emotional, injured, and victimized persons, ascertains the crucial information needed in the given situation, and relays this to the proper Departments without delay; Enters information into the computer system through the use of LANCER, NCC, and related systems in connection with wanted persons, stolen vehicles, securities, weapons, and related property; Dispatch locations of alarms as soon as they are received; Processes official communications for public safety personnel on duty as necessary; Requests and transmits information from other City departments or outside agencies as needed by Police personnel; Maintains a current updated map of all the features of the City and memorizes constant changes; Runs computer checks on drivers licenses, car tags, stolen firearms, driver histories, and criminal histories; Performs searches with partial data to identify persons and vehicle registration; Checks warrants for the Police Department and other requesting agencies, and processes original hard copy of warrants; Performs maintenance on all communications equipment to ensure proper operation during emergency situations; Receives information from the Statewide 911 system and transfers all pertinent information into the computer system for dispatching; Gives emergency treatment assistance to the general public as necessary; Operates radio consoles alarm receiving and transmission equipment, telephones, facsimile, switchboards, traffic control, and other related systems and equipment; Maintains information on the fingerprinting system; Performs duties during multiple alarms and other emergency incidents as designated by superiors; Conducts weekly pager tests; Provides information to the Communication Technicians in designating problems within the communications system; Operates Opticom system to ensure safe passage of emergency vehicles; Answers department telephone calls, receives and greets visitors to the department, and provides information to callers and visitors or refers callers and visitors to other appropriate departments or City personnel; Answers customer questions requiring detailed programmatic knowledge of Police operations; Follows up on complaints from customers involving gathering information from several Departmental and intra-Department sources; Prepares correspondence, lists, and other documents on a computer; Completes and maintains reports and records; Provides guidance and demonstrations to new employees in similar positions; Keeps supervisors informed of work progress, issues, and potential solutions; Attends meetings and training to stay current on relevant practices and developments; Responds to citizen inquiries courteously and promptly; Coordinates regularly with others to enhance interdepartmental efficiency; and Performs additional duties as required by the classification. ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES: Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively in emergency situations with an attention to time constraints; Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate and monitor a computerized communications system; Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a keyboard, several phone lines, and other communications equipment; Sufficient strength and endurance, with or without reasonable accommodation to lift, carry and move objects, through a full range of motion, up to 10 pounds occasionally, 5 pounds frequently and 2 pounds consistently; Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate in the communications center environment.