This is specialized communications work supervising an assigned shift of dispatchers in the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department.

Employees in this class are responsible for planning, scheduling and reviewing the work of a group of Fire Rescue Dispatchers engaged in dispatching fire and emergency medical personnel to a variety of critical situations involving preservation of life and property. Responsibilities include adjusting dispatch assignments, analyzing dispatch procedures, providing training to subordinates, preparing a variety of reports and studies and assisting an administrative superior in planning and implementing bureau projects. Incumbents exercise independent judgment in resolving operational problems in accordance with established departmental rules and regulations. Supervision is exercised over a group of Fire Rescue Dispatchers by assignment of work and review of completed tasks for compliance with established procedures. Supervision is received from an administrative superior through reports, personal conferences and personal observations for satisfactory shift operations and attainment of departmental goals and objectives.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Plans, schedules and reviews the work of a staff of subordinate Fire Rescue Dispatchers operating keyboard equipment and entering standardized source information following predefined job formats in the automated radio dispatching of fire and emergency medical personnel to locations of critical situations; schedules relief assignments and assigns work stations.

Trains dispatchers in basic dispatch techniques and in revised operational procedures; develops and recommends teaching aids and materials for classroom instruction of new employees; assists in classroom training.

Reorganizes and adjusts various dispatch assignments to incorporate special equipment, available units, notification table requirements, orders from senior uniform field personnel and other factors; analyzes and recommends improvements in dispatch procedures, assignments, and radio and data terminal usage; assists in analyzing dispatching system requirements.

Assists an administrative superior in analyzing and revising operational policies and procedures; compiles information and prepares status reports and studies to improve bureau operations; assists in the planning and implementation of bureau projects.

Coordinates the periodic and emergency utilization of the manual card dispatch system and the transfer to the civil defense radio center; updates necessary resource materials and maintains appropriate supplies to accomplish transfers; provides operators with training on manual and civil defense system equipment.

Receives and reviews requests for information and classification of alarm activities; verifies previously entered information by operating appropriate key combination and controls for retrieving, inserting and correcting data.

Maintains necessary documentation to update ambulance log, burning permits, station equipment deployment and other records; revises hydrant book, zone maps, and notification tables.

Makes recommendations regarding hiring, discipline and promotion of subordinates; authorizes leave and overtime; counsels subordinates on work related problems; evaluates and rates employee performance.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Considerable knowledge of departmental rules, regulations and procedures utilized in the automated radio dispatching of emergency fire personnel.

Considerable knowledge of the operating characteristics of computerized dispatch systems.

Considerable knowledge of dispatch techniques and procedures used in computerized dispatch systems.

Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.

Some knowledge of the principles and practices of modern office administration.

Ability to supervise a staff of subordinate employees in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.

Ability to react promptly and correctly in emergency situations.

Ability to train subordinates in dispatch techniques and in new and revised operational procedures.

Ability to adjust dispatch assignments in response to a variety of changing circumstances.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

Ability to analyze a variety of administrative problems and make sound recommendations as to their solution.

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