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Public Safety Dispatcher

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Big Bend National Park, Division of Visitor and Resource Protection
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions are located in Big Bend National Park, in the Division of Visitor and Resource Protection.

This is a drug testing required position.

This is a required occupancy position and government quarters will be made available.

Open to the first 100 applicants or until 02/18/2020 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/05/2020 to 02/18/2020
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$34,916 to - $38,921 per year

GS-5 $34,916; GS-6 $38,921

Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 6
Location
Big Bend National Park, TX
3 vacancies
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
6
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
IM-1538-BIBE-20-10714538-DE
Control number
558821400

Duties

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The position is located in the Dispatch Center of Park Headquarters. The Center operates typically 0700-2200 daily every day of the year. This critical/sensitive position serves as a public safety dispatcher in a park Dispatch Center that requires shift work, seven days a week all year long. The Dispatch Center environment is complex, working cooperatively with more than one park district, jurisdiction, and/or agency in a geographical area, requiring an extensive body of dispatch procedures knowledge; query access to National Criminal Information Network (NCIC), National Law Enforcement Communications System (NLETS), and state networks with full responsibility in public safety emergency response. Duties include:

  • Performs dispatch and call taking services for public safety related incidents and operations. Receives and evaluates emergency calls for services.
  • Coordinates responses to incidents; initiates appropriate response of personnel and apparatus in accordance with agency plans, guides, and protocols; provides communications and logistical support to responders.
  • Provides dispatch and support services for Park wildland fire operations. Gathering weather and lighting strike data and requesting SPOT forecasts.
  • Provides dispatch support to Law Enforcement activities. Queries and relays wants, warrants, driver and vehicle status.
  • Operates a multi frequency, multi-agency radio console. Serves as primary point of contact for Law Enforcement and other Public Safety Responders monitoring traffic and assisting operations.
  • Serves as a certified operator of National Criminal Information Network (NCIC0, National Law Enforcements Communications System (NLETS) and Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (TLETS).
Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license.
  • Occupancy of government quarters is required.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
  • Occupancy of government quarters is required.
  • If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-02/18/2020-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement.

EXPERIENCE:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the federal service that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of a Dispatcher. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Working for law enforcement agency that receives moderate traffic (such as a large National Park or city); work in a telecommunications center with full dispatch consoles; or similar work. Working with any sort or two way radio traffic.-OR-

EDUCATION: Successfully completed four years of education (120 semester/180 quarter hours) above high school in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. I have submitted copies of my transcripts indicating the degree(s) earned and credit hours in order to qualify based on education. -OR-

COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. For example, 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the specialized experience) and three years of education above high school (50% of the education) would qualify an applicant for this position. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e. beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. PLEASE NOTE: If you are qualifying for the position based on your education, you must submit a copy of your transcripts.

To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement.

EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the federal service that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of a Dispatcher. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Working for law enforcement agency that receives moderate traffic (such as a large National Park or city); work in a telecommunications center with full dispatch consoles; or similar work. Working with any sort or two way radio traffic. -OR-

EDUCATION:
Successfully completed at least one year (18 semester/27 quarters hours) of graduate level education DIRECTLY related to the position, such as communications, emergency services (or a closely related discipline). You must submit copies of transcripts indicating the degree(s) earned and credit hours in order to qualify based on education. -OR-

COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. For example, 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the specialized experience). Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e. beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies".

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Additional information

Physical Demands: Incumbent must function efficiently in a confided space for extended periods with no breaks and no opportunity to leave the confines of the Communications Center. The dispatcher is considered an "essential employee', meaning he/she is required to work mostly holidays, report for duty during adverse weather conditions, and be expected to work for long hours exceeding normally scheduled shifts in cases of emergencies. Position is sedentary with high amounts of stress. Subject to shift work, rotating shift work and uncommon tours of duty. Work requires use of the voice in vocal communications for periods of hours at a time. Voice must be clear, audible, and tone effective with words plainly spoken and understandable. Must be able to hear clearly and discern a variety of audible communications and signals simultaneously. Incumbent must be able to read critical information from multiple sources, including computer screen, fax, and written log quickly and accurately. The work is of an emergency nature and is emotionally stressful. Incumbent musts possess manual dexterity sufficient to operate computer terminals/keyboards and related equipment and to maintain written logs. Work involves occasional lifting of boxes and supplies up to weights of 50 pounds.

Working Conditions: The work is normally performed in a well-lighted and temperature controlled room. Noise levels are routinely high due to electronic equipment, telephones, radios, and other discussions ongoing in the performance of duties. The setting is typically confined and secure and entrance and egress is controlled. During the training period and/or on other occasions, the incumbent will be assigned to accompany field law enforcement personnel in patrol vehicles to learn or gain a more detailed familiarization with agency field operating procedures and jurisdictional boundaries. Incumbent may not leave the Center unless relieved by other qualified dispatcher.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

  • Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • Oral Communication
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Technology Application
  • Telecommunications

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