ETDs receive a variety of operational and technical training in support of their duties. ETDs work in a combined 911 and Public Safety Dispatch environment handling police, fire, and medical emergencies. ETDs also handle police and fire non-emergency calls on 10-digit business lines. Based on training, console position setup and the discretion of supervisors, ETDs will be expected to work at any position including those primarily responsible for call answering, police dispatching, fire/EMS dispatching, and computer operations. ETDs are expected to participate in on-going training and to maintain all dispatch-related certifications, including those for CPR, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), and CJIS. ETDs may also be assigned a wide variety of special duties at the discretion of Department management, including support duties in the Emergency Operations Center or at Tactical Command Posts. All ETD’s are also required to assist with training other employees as needed.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• Applicants will undergo a multi-part Dispatcher Screening Process. Applicants must have the ability to touch-type at least 30 WPM (net of errors). A typing test will be administered during the hiring process. Applicants must also pass additional tests and a thorough background and criminal history review.
• Candidates must have interest in, and be suitable for, work in a combined police, fire, and EMS dispatch center.
• Also required is maturity of judgment and the following abilities: ability to learn and understand the basic field operations and procedures of the police and fire departments, to manage police-fire dispatch operations and support units and field commanders requesting resources and support actions, to use various technical systems including computerized dispatch, signaling, alarm monitoring, telephone console, and general personal computer equipment.
• Additionally, candidates should possess a courteous but authoritative telephone voice and manner, as well as the ability to understand and skillfully manage emergency and business callers. Must have the ability to be understood clearly by others over radio and telephone circuits, to accurately record the detail of telephone and radio conversations, and to remain calm under the pressure of emergencies, peaking workloads, and multiple (simultaneous) responsibilities.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain required certifications of an Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher including Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Basic Public Safety Telecommunicator Course, State 911 Certification and CPR within one year of hire.
• The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse, and candidates must demonstrate the knowledge and the ability to work effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds and ideologies.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Detailed knowledge of the City of Cambridge with demonstrated knowledge of Cambridge streets and locations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in one of several areas of public safety and/or public safety dispatching including one year of experience as a public safety, police, fire or EMS dispatcher, a police officer, firefighter, EMT, or paramedic.
• Applicants with one year of experience as a police/fire alarm or telecommunications system installer, call center operator, or dispatcher in non-public safety agency or private agency will also be considered.
• Certification from the Massachusetts State 911 Department’s Public Safety Communications 5-Week Academy or CJIS certification from the Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board is strongly preferred.
• A bachelor’s or associates degree in Criminal Justice or a related field is also preferred.
• The ability to speak Spanish, Portuguese or Haitian-Creole is also preferred, in addition to English. The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse, and candidates must demonstrate the knowledge and the ability to work effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds and ideologies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Tasks involve extensive keyboarding on multiple keyboards and attentive listening to telephone calls and radio transmissions (often at a low volume level and of poor audio quality on a department-supplied headset or handset). Candidates must have the ability to exert very moderate physical effort typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, and lifting, as well as carrying, pushing and pulling objects and materials of moderate weight, twelve to twenty pounds. Candidates must be able to work any shift assignments, including nights, weekends, holidays, overtime (both forced and scheduled), and up to 16-hour shifts. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

General call center-type environment with air conditioning and fluorescent lighting. Noise level can be high as the office is active with phone calls, radio transmissions, signal and equipment sound.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS (As Outlined in the Current Teamster Collective Bargaining Agreement):

• Competitive Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Vacation and Sick Leave Eligible
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal Days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

Additional compensation for the following stipends and incentives (Please note this is a high-level overview and not a binding contract. For more information, please refer to the current Teamster Collective Bargaining Agreement):

• Teleserve Training Incentive:$1,750 annual allowance for satisfactory completion of medical preparedness and Teleserve Training.
• Computer Skills Proficiency Stipend: Upon passing basic computer skills proficiency tests in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Cambridge Request System, Peoplesoft, and Writing Skills, employees will receive an hourly stipend ranging between $.35 to $2.45.
• Typing ECD Stipend: $300 yearly for typing speeds of 30-39 WPM and $500 yearly for speeds of 40+WMP.
• Bilingual Incentive Pay: Eligible employees will receive a $350 annual stipend.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

ABOUT THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE

The City of Cambridge is a diverse and vibrant community that 120,000 residents of different ethnic, racial, religious, U.S. nationals and other backgrounds call home. We take pride in our City’s diversity and strive to create a workplace that is reflective of the community we serve - one in which all employees can thrive. The City is also deeply committed to creating an environment in which all our employees are treated equitably and feel included. In joining our team, you would work in a workplace environment that advances and values antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI), and that is committed to embedding ADEI best practices and tenets in all aspects of our work. City of Cambridge residents are especially encouraged to apply to job openings.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

The City of Cambridge is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ Community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City is committed to advancing a workforce culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request by contacting Human Resources at humanresources@cambridgema.gov.