North Dakota Class Description

Scope of Work:

Work involves providing twenty-four hour voice radio communications for the state of North Dakota as well as providing 1-800 emergency service for the entire state and 911 response for designated areas.  Work also involves participating in Emergency Management and Homeland Security assignments.

Duties Performed at all Levels:

• Receive 911 calls from designated counties, statewide 911 cell phone calls, 911 transfer calls from other Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP), and emergency calls from 800 and administrative lines; coordinate all emergency responders such as firefighters, medical response teams, and law enforcement officers.
• Operate a statewide, centrally controlled radio/telephone paging system and the National Law Enforcement Teletype System as the State of North Dakota’s control terminal.
• Ensure the safety of law enforcement and parole and probation officers by acknowledging, recording, and monitoring officer status during the officer’s duty tour.
• Retrieve and transmit information as needed by law enforcement officers; broadcast All Points Bulletins to law enforcement agencies throughout the state.
• Maintain and update FBI records; record entries and inquiries with the National Crime Information Center.
• Disseminate severe weather watches and warnings to law enforcement, emergency responders, and the general public; assist Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation with closure of any state highways due to catastrophic failure or safety concerns.
• Answer and acknowledge all warnings, alerts, and tests from the National Warning System.
• Receive, record, and disseminate reports for a variety of state and federal programs in conjunction with local, state, and federal law enforcement and agencies.
• Ensure the safety and well being of the Governor and family by monitoring hot lines in the Governor’s Office and residence; assist the Capitol and Heritage Center Security with any reports of crimes or disturbances on the Capitol grounds.
• Participate in the national Amber Alert program coordinating city, county, and state law enforcement along with the state’s news media.
• Assist the Upper Midwest Procurement Organization for Donor Organs in North Dakota by checking on the status of organ donors.
• Receive, record, and disseminate any reports of bomb threats, weapons of mass destruction, and hazardous materials spills; coordinate the State Operations Center/Emergency Management, other appropriate state agencies and entities, and federal law enforcement.
• Provide input to the State Operations Center's Standard Operating Procedures Manual; maintain State Operations Center's records systems.
• Serve as React Officer by identifying, assessing, and coordinating statewide response to an emergency or threat to mitigate the situation.

NOTE: The duties listed are not intended to be all-inclusive. Duties assigned any individual employee are at the discretion of the appointing authority.

Grade 7

Level Definition:

Individuals at this level function in a training environment under the close supervision and guidance of a Communications Supervisor to develop the skills required to perform all functions and duties of a fully trained and qualified Communications Specialist.

Additional Duties Performed at this Level:

• None.

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires a high school diploma or GED and four years of work experience performing a variety of complex office support, clerical, or secretarial duties that involved multi-tasking and communicating with the public; or one year of work experience as a public safety/911 dispatcher, paramedic/EMT, firefighter, law enforcement or corrections officer, or other communications dispatch or switchboard work experience that involved telephone multitasking.  An associate degree in criminal justice or a bachelor’s degree may substitute for the work experience requirement.  Must also have basic computer experience and typing skills (35 wpm minimum).

Grade 9

Level Definition:

Individuals at this level generally perform duties at a fully trained and qualified level independent of close supervision or guidance.

Additional Duties Performed at this Level:

• None.

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires a high school diploma or GED and two years of work experience as a public safety/911 dispatcher at a level similar in nature and complexity to the Communications Specialist I.  In addition, certification is required in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher, and by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Grade 10

Level Definition:

Individuals at this level have lead worker responsibilities.

Additional Duties Performed at this Level:

• Perform supervisory functions in equipment operation, security, and shift management in the supervisor’s absence; provide input to performance evaluations of communication specialists.
• Assist with developing, implementing, presenting, scheduling, and tracking training for communications center staff; ensure all certifications remain current.
• Participate in developing, implementing, and maintaining emergency communication and mapping projects/systems. 
• Assist with developing and updating protocol for the interaction of North Dakota’s resources with out-of-state issued Amber Alerts.
• Participate in developing and maintaining information flow chart for the transfer of intelligence between agencies involved with Homeland Security and the communications center at the State Operations Center; plan for future duties associated with involvement with Homeland Security.

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires a high school diploma or GED and three years of work experience as a public safety/911 dispatcher at a level similar in nature and complexity to the Communications Specialist II.  In addition, certification is required in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher, and by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Grade 11

Level Definition:

Individuals at this level supervise communications specialists.

Additional Duties Performed at this Level:

• Supervise employees assigned to the shift including scheduling, training, and monitoring and evaluating performance. 
• Direct and assist in the maintenance of equipment; notify the proper agency or resource for repair in the event of outage or failure.
• Coordinate the development, implementation, and maintenance of programs and special projects within the communications center. 
• Perform all functions of a Communication Specialist on a rotating basis and during emergencies or staff shortages.

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires a high school diploma or GED and three years of work experience as a public safety/911 dispatcher at a level similar in nature and complexity to the Communications Specialist III.  In addition, certification is required in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher, and by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Eff. Date:  12/92
Rev: 7/97 - Rewritten in current format
Rev: 4/99 - Revised minimum qualifications at level I, changed technical knowledge statement and added leveling statements to levels II and III
Rev: 5/02 - Revised minimum qualifications at all levels; revised level statement, factors, and grade for level I
Rev: 10/03 - Revised minimum qualifications and technical knowledge factor at level I
Rev: 12/04 - Revised scope of work and duties; changed grade levels; combined Communications Supervisor with Communications Specialist series
Rev: 2/08 - Revised minimum qualifications at levels I and II
Rev: 9/08 - Revised minimum qualifications at level II; reviewed grade at level II
Rev: 6/09 - Revised minimum qualifications at level I, III, and Supervisor
Rev: 6/11 - Revised minimum qualifications at level I

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