State of Maryland

A Maryland State Police (MSP) Emergency Dispatcher Trainee is the entry level of work operating the MSP communications equipment, computer workstations and software packages at the barrack assigned. Employees in this classification, while in training, will learn to monitor, collect, organize, analyze, prioritize and report emergency and non-emergency incidents on a regional and statewide radio communications system as well as a statewide Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, Maryland Electronic Telecommunications Enforcement Resource System (METERS), National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and any other statewide/federal databases which may affect the Officers and public safety. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a certified Communications Training Officer (generally a MSP Emergency Dispatcher III or higher) and general supervision from the local supervisor. Employees will be assigned to day, evening or night or rotating shifts to include weekends and holidays.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The MSP Emergency Dispatcher Trainee, MSP Emergency Dispatcher I, MSP Emergency Dispatcher II are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees. The MSP Emergency Dispatcher Trainee learns to perform duties under close supervision and is not MSP certified. The MSP Emergency Dispatcher I is MSP certified and performs the duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed. The MSP Emergency Dispatcher II is MSP certified and performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Employees in this classification will be non-competitively promoted to MSP Emergency Dispatcher I, once their MSP training program is completed, and approved by the MSP Communications Training Coordinator.

Learns to operate emergency communications equipment, computer workstations and software packages at the assigned barrack;

Learns to receive and transmit information via multi-channel radio, telephone and computer terminal equipment;

Learns to monitor, collect, organize and analyze reports of emergency incidents on a statewide and regional basis which may affect Maryland public safety and public safety personnel;

Learns to request or provide information regarding traffic records, statistics, driver’s license and automobile registration;

Learns to complete daily incident reports, noting any key issues or trends that should be brought to the attention of the shift supervisor or road personnel;

Attends all required classes, seminars, workshops and other educational opportunities designed to maintain or enhance emergency analyses and communication skills;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of map reading and map interpretation;

Skill in multi-channel radios, keyboards and computer terminals;

Ability to learn emergency response communications equipment and systems to include interoperable communication systems used in responding to emergencies;

Ability to learn to obtain, prioritize and disseminate information under stressful conditions;

Ability to learn to clearly communicate information with others at regional, State and local levels concerning the response to emergency incidents;

Ability to learn to complete and maintain logs, reports and databases of emergency response communications work;

Ability to type accurately at a minimum of twenty words per minute;

Ability to communicate precisely and clearly in emergency situations;

Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately in stressful situations.

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: None.

1. Applicants for positions in this classification will be subject to an extensive background investigation prior to appointment.

2. Employees in this classification will be required to provide the employing barrack with a telephone number where they can be reached.

3. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using barrack specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit B, Administrative, Technical and Clerical classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance levels in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class as defined in the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification, and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.