Job Description

Come join our Emergency Telecommunications Department!

The listed salary reflects the range for this fiscal year and does not include other pay enhancements that are available to our ETDs upon the completion of training such as night shift differential pay of 9 - 10%, EMD/Technology Stipends of $1200 annually, paid vacation and sick leave and much more. You will also have access to promotional opportunities in the future as an ETD Supervisor which currently has a pay range of $64,288 - $86,397 annually plus benefits (see below for general details of other benefits available to you as a City employee).

Have an interest in being a police officer or fire fighter but want to learn more about the public safety team? Well, becoming a dispatcher is a great way to be part of a dedicated team of public servants and learn about this field.

Please feel welcome to contact the HR Department for additional information relating to this position and its compensation. You can contact us by replying to this posting or by emailing us at hr@newtonma.gov.

Position:

The ETD/Dispatcher is a critical part of the public safety team here in the City of Newton and is responsible for responding to emergency, 911 and other telephone, radio communications; fire, sewer and water, silent and intrusion alarms and other means of communication requests for assistance or service; for assessing, evaluating and dispatching fire, police, emergency medical personnel, ambulance services and other apparatus and equipment; for dispatching mutual aid, regional paramedic services; for maintaining incident records.

Responsibilities

• Receives emergency 911 and other telephone calls, ascertains extent of emergency or inquiry and determine the type and amount of need for City services. Evaluates emergency severity and responds according to established guidelines. Obtains or solicits information necessary for caller or patient identification and emergency needs.
• Dispatches emergency personnel, apparatus, and equipment. Responds to mutual aid, regional paramedic services requests according to need, initial assessment and established procedures. Relays identifying information to respondents. Maintains radio or other communications contact and location status of units in the field.
• Answers multiple radio communications, fire, silent and intrusion alarms, telecommunication devices for the hearing impaired and other means of communication requests for assistance, aid, or service. Responds to identification, vehicle registration, driving records and other police requests. Follows up on requests for stolen car, stolen vehicle plates, missing persons, outstanding warrants and other data. Logs or records radio calls, incident transactions, and activity reports.
• Monitors and responds to intrusion, hold up, fire, burglar, and other direct connect alarms. Monitors several radio frequencies. Monitors occupied police holding cells and other public safety building areas. Answers routine police and fire incoming telephone calls, ascertains nature of call and routes to appropriate person or department.
• Data enters/retrieves communications computers systems information in order to keep records of all actions including alarms received and transmitted, location and nature of calls. Performs periodic testing of various equipment including fire alarm circuits, radio and telephone systems.
• Notifies fire department stations of water shutoffs, street blockages. Participates in City and other emergency drills and activities.
• Follows and adheres to department, City and other government rules, regulations, policies and procedures including mandatory overtime policy.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

• High School/GED and one to three years related experience and/or training.
• Can type 30 words per minute.
• Knowledge of a community safety communications, police practices, operation of radio communication and dispatch, administrative office procedures and the operation of office equipment such as personal computers and computer software desirable.
• Or any equivalent combination of education and experience as determined by the City.

Schedule

ETDs work a schedule of four (4) shifts on and two (2) shifts off, with every sixth weekend off. New ETDs will train on the day shift (7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) or the first half shift (3:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.). Once training is completed, new ETDs will be assigned to one of three shifts: the day shift (7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.), first half shift (3:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.) or the last half shift (11:30 p.m. – 7:30 a.m.). ETDs are required to work nights, weekends and holidays as essential public safety personnel.

Company Description

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

Benefits

• 70% employer sponsored health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Shift differentials (9% first half, 10% last half)
• Clothing allowance of $500 per year
• Longevity payments after 5 years of service
• EMD stipend of $1200 per year
• Overtime pay - hourly base rate time 1.5
• 12.5 paid holidays - Holiday pay is 20% of a week's base pay if the ETD does not work the holiday; if they do work the holiday, they work 20% of base at time and a half
• Two (2) paid floating holidays (16 hours total)
• Vacation time - 2 weeks of vacation (increases to 3 weeks after 5 years of service)
• Special leave time accrual - 15 days per year
• Personal business days - 5 special leave days can be used for personal business
• 1 bonus day for members of AFSCME Local 3092 who use three (3) or fewer special leave days the previous calendar year
• AFSCME Local 3092, union position
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Metro Credit Union
• Verizon Wireless discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• City Retirement (Mandatory)
• Direct Deposit
• Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees