September 13, 2024

City of Huntsville, AL

Huntsville

FULL TIME

Fire Dispatcher (Grade 11)

Nature of Work

THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE’S FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT WANTS YOU!

The City of Huntsville’s Fire & Rescue department is seeking qualified applicants to fill our

Fire Dispatcher position(s).

Exciting Career Opportunities for Smart and Talented People.

Come join our growing Fire & Rescue Team! Apply today!

About our Department:

Huntsville Fire & Rescue, are a team of professionals dedicated to providing rapid, reliable emergency services to the citizens of our community. We are committed to saving lives, protecting property, and improving the quality of life for our citizens through education and training, fire prevention, fire suppression, rescue and other emergency / non-emergency activities.

Fire Dispatcher Position Overview:

This is specialized communications work in receiving and dispatching accurate information on an assigned shift to appropriate personnel. Positions in this class are employed in fire communications and dispatch personnel based on seven-digit calls and 911 calls. Work involves responsibility for the operation of specialized radio utilizing multiple channels and frequencies in a communication center. Position requires fast, efficient, and accurate receiving, dispatching, and processing of calls and messages from and to appropriate vehicles and personnel.

Qualifications and Necessary Special Requirements:

High school diploma from a school accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or GED certificate issued by the appropriate state agency and some experience in operating communications equipment and basic computers.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Certification in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) and CPR.

All Fire & Rescue Dispatchers shall be required to attend three (3) courses through the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) to obtain certification as EFD and EMD. These certifications must be obtained within 12 months after hire and/or promotion date subject to class availability and funding.

ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND A MANDATORY ORIENTATION FOR THIS POSITION CONDUCTED BY FIRE COMMUNICATIONS PERSONNEL. APPLICANTS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE - THOSE WHO MEET THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS - MAY SELF SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE MANDATORY FIRE COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER ORIENTATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION USING THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW. THE DEADLINE TO SELF-SCHEDULE IS October 1, 2024, 6:00PM.

THE MANDATORY ORIENTATION WILL BE SCHEDULED ON October 5, 2024, AT 8:00AM, 11:00AM & 2:00PM AND ON October 6, 2024, AT 8:00AM & 11:00AM, AT THE HUNTSVILLE MADISON COUNTY 911 CENTER LOCATED AT 1570 OLD MONROVIA RD, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35806. AFTER THE ORIENTATION THOSE WHO WISH TO CONTINUE IN THE PROCESS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE THE DISPATCH-ORIENTED TEST

Click on your username in the upper right-hand corner

Click the "application Status" link
Click the "Schedule Exam" link
Select the desired exam time and location (Out of town applicants that are not able to attend the dates available, must contact Eric Jean at 256-722-7120 for more information regarding the orientation)
Click "Submit"

At the Public Safety Dispatcher Orientation, applicants must present a valid driver's license. Applicants who arrive late, fail to attend, or make other arrangements regarding the mandatory orientation will automatically be eliminated from the hiring process. Immediately following the mandatory orientation, a dispatch-oriented test will be administered. Applicants that pass the dispatch-oriented test will be eligible to be considered for an oral interview. Applicant(s) who receive a conditional job offer for employment must also pass a criminal background investigation and drug screening test.

For More Information Regarding the Fire Dispatcher Job Duties, Please Visit the Websites Below:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/huntsville/classspecs/1620503

Essential and Marginal Functions of Work

Applicants May Obtain a Copy of the City of Huntsville's EEOP Short Form Upon Request

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

The City of Huntsville offers a competitive benefits package for its regular, full-time employees, such as medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death & dismemberment, cancer, off-the-job accident, as well as annual leave, sick leave, holiday and retirement.

Below is a summary of the City's benefit offerings:

The City of Huntsville offers a comprehensive benefit program to all full-time employees. For most benefits, a 30-day waiting period from date of eligibility will apply.

Medical Insurance
All eligible and ACA eligible employees may enroll in the City of Huntsville’s group health plans administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama; Blue Card PPO and High Deductible PPO. Benefits include medical/surgical, prescription coverage, and more.

Mental Health/Substance Abuse
A mental health benefit and substance abuse program is offered through Behavioral Health Systems, Incorporated (BHS). These benefits are included as part of the group health plan. Services may be accessed by contacting BHS. A designated Care Coordinator for the City of Huntsville can assist with referrals to network providers.

Dental Plan
The City offers a dental plan administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company to eligible full-time employees. This plan offers coverage for Preventive and Diagnostic Services, Basic and Major Services, and Orthodontic coverage (for dependent children under the age of 19.) A deductible of $50 per person/calendar year applies for Basic and Major Services. The deductible is waived for Diagnostic and Preventative services and a plan maximum of $2,000/year/covered patient. Orthodontics carries a $2,000/lifetime max/patient.

Vision Plan
The City’s vision plan is offered and administered by Vision Service Plan (VSP). VSP provides vision benefits, co-pays for eye exams, frames, and eyeglass lenses, as applicable, and an allowance for contact lenses. The plan also offers exclusive Member Extras for additional savings.

Retirement
The City’s retirement plan is administered by the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA). Participation is mandatory for all regular full and part-time employees. Employees contribute a percentage of their salary to the plan. The City contributes a percentage as determined by RSA.

Life Insurance
The City provides a $20,000 group life insurance policy to all full-time employees through Lincoln Financial Insurance Company. Eligible employees are covered after completing one full day of work and coverage is provided at no-cost to the employee. Additional benefits may apply in the event of accidental death or dismemberment.

Disability Insurance
The City provides a limited long term disability policy for eligible employees with one year of service, but less than ten years of service. There is no cost to the employee for this coverage. After ten years of service, disability benefits may be requested through the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA).

Voluntary Life / AD&D
The City offers eligible employees an optional voluntary term life insurance benefit. Employees may apply to purchase additional term life insurance for self, spouse, and eligible dependents. Guarantee issue amounts are available if voluntary life benefits are elected within 30 days of eligibility. Premiums for employee and spouse are based upon age. Child Life is a flat rate based on the level of coverage.

The City also offers an optional voluntary accidental death & dismemberment insurance plan. Employees may purchase insurance for self or family. The plans are administered by Lincoln Financial Insurance Company. Please refer to the plan summary for additional information.

Supplemental Voluntary Benefits
The City offers voluntary Cancer and Off-the-Job Accident plans administered by Allstate Benefits. The Cancer plan provides first occurrence, hospital confinement, radiation & chemotherapy, and other benefits. The Off-the-Job Accident plan provides benefits for injuries occurring off the job. Please refer to the brochures for an explanation of covered benefits.

Flexible Spending Accounts
The City offers two flexible spending account options to assist with unreimbursed medical expenses and dependent care expenses. These pre-taxed accounts require a qualifying receipt and may be reimbursed by mail or direct deposit. A pre-loaded debit card is available for enrollees in the medical account. The flexible spending accounts are administered by Health Equity/Wage Works.

Financial Wellness
The City provides a confidential financial wellness program through Smart Dollar for all full-time employees. The program offers online tools and a step-by-step plan that is self-paced to help employees as they journey to reach their financial goals. There is no cost to the employee for participation.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
We know that dealing with day-to-day stresses can be distracting. The City provides a confidential EAP program to assist with life’s stresses. EAP services may be coordinated through Behavioral Health Systems (BHS) or through the Employee Resources and Program Manager at the City’s Health & Wellness Center. Resources may include substance abuse, grief and loss, marriage/family communication, managing stress and depression, parenting, and more. There is no waiting period for this benefit.

Health & Wellness Center
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The City’s Health & Wellness Center is more than just a clinic. The Center provides cost-effective health care and on-line services at no cost to the individual. Open Monday through Saturday, the Center provides medical services including acute, primary, and preventive care, as well as annual physicals. The Center also offers routine blood work, immunizations, wellness coaching, chronic disease management, many generic medications dispensed on-site, and much more. If an onsite appointment isn’t possible, Telehealth Services are available 24/7/365. All City employees, covered retirees, and covered dependents age 3 and above are eligible for services at the Center as well as telehealth services.

Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plans
The City provides two optional voluntary deferred compensation plans: RSA-1 (State of Alabama) and Nationwide Retirement Solutions. Employees may defer portions of salary for a later date, such as retirement. Please see the Payroll Division of the Finance Department for further details.

Sick Leave
Sick leave accrual is 4 hours per pay period for all eligible City employees. There is no accrual maximum for employee sick leave.

Annual Leave
Annual leave for eligible employees is accrued as follows: less than 10 years = 4 hours per pay period; 10 to 15 years = 5 hours per pay period; 15 to 20 years = 6 hours per pay period; 20 or more years = 7 hours per pay period. Employees may accrue and carry forward 260 hours (or the equivalent for fire suppression) to the next calendar year.

Military Leave
The City provides a military leave plan that pays regular salary for not more than twenty-one days per year. Also, employees called into active service may receive compensation in an amount equal to the difference in the lower military pay and the higher public employment salary as provided by City Council Ordinance.

Holidays
The City recognizes the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Two additional floating holidays may be declared each year at the discretion of the Mayor.

Longevity Pay
The City pays eligible employees compensation based upon the number of months of continuous regular full-time service as of October 1st of each year.

College 529 Savings Program
The City makes it easy for friends and family to give the gift of a college education. The 529 college savings program is administered by College Counts, through payroll deduction, and offers tax advantages and other benefits.

Other Benefits
Please refer to the City of Huntsville Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

Disclosure:
The City offers a robust benefits program to eligible employees. The list above offers a summary of those benefits. The information is intended as a general reference and should in no way be construed as a promise or guarantee of employment or benefit coverage. Please refer to the appropriate Summary Plan Description (SPD) or contact the City of Huntsville Benefits Office for more details. If there is a conflict between this information and the actual plan document or policies, the plan documents or policies will always govern.