Contracted Dispatchers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including answering telephones, communicating by radio and other means with MEMA staff and other agencies including but not limited to DCR and DEP, maintaining situational awareness, providing timely information on emergency events and incidents to MEMA staff, other agencies, local emergency management directors and others. The position requires good oral communication skills, good writing skills, ability to multi-task. This person will serve as the emergency point of contact for the agency when dealing with a range of emergency situations and will be responsible for answering phones, operating two-way radios, monitoring public safety radio frequencies and the media and will follow protocols for providing emergency notifications and handling emergency and routine agency communications. Contracted Dispatchers will utilize various equipment for emergency and non-emergency notification and response for various emergencies and events, including but not limited to weather-related emergencies, hazardous material (hazmat) incidents, nuclear power plant incidents, mass casualty and mass fatality incidents, and other emergency and disaster related situations. Contracted Dispatchers are responsible for maintaining and updating the MEMA electronic duty log and utilizing various computer databases and communications systems, to ensure 24-hour coverage. DUTIES:
Responsible to provide dispatch coverage during nights, weekends Use 2-way radios and other communication systems meeting Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations and guidelines. Receive alerts and notify proper personnel of Nuclear Power Plant incidents(Seabrook, Pilgrim and Vermont Yankee). Monitor and receive alerts and make required notifications of various incidents in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and surrounding states including but not limited to severe weather, hazmat incidents, large fires, missing persons, terrorist incidents, etc. Receive alerts and notify all New England states of seismic activity (earthquakes). Monitor local, state and federal radio frequencies to receive, evaluate and forward information for reportable incidents and respond on those systems as needed or required. Provide dispatch/notification services for other governmental units and agencies including but not limited to DCR, DEP, and others as needed or directed. Implement and coordinate requests for support from MEMA's Operations Division. Coordinate statewide alerting activities utilizing the Federal National Warning Systems (NAWAS) Receive requests from communities including but not limited to requests for Department of Fire Services (DFS); Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Spill Response; Department of Public Health (DPH) emergency calls; and OPSI emergency calls, and follow notification and logging procedures. Receive requests to activate the Statewide Fire Department Task Forces, follow implementation procedures and notify appropriate personnel. Monitor Emergency Management Network (EMnet) for critical warnings & alerts and notify appropriate personnel when required. Notify designated agencies with critical information during an Amber Alert and monitor the status of the alert until closed by the Massachusetts State Police. Operate the Health & Homeland Alert Network (HHAN) automated notification system and Everbridge Notification System Monitor Aircraft Emergencies statewide and make notifications as required. Prepare, store, revise, maintain and edit electronic log and various databases using computer equipment and various programs (documents and materials included) to generate reports. Maintain action records or logs of information such as messages received and transmitted. Apply knowledge of agency policies, procedures, and practices acquired through successful completion of required agency training. Respond to inquiries from the general public and other local, state, federal, private and voluntary agencies and take necessary action if required. Monitor closed circuit video system for building security and checking in and out personnel after hours. Monitor closed circuit video system for building security and checking in a out personnel after hours. May be asked to assist with providing on-the-job training. Confer with agency staff, State, Local, Federal and other Agencies in order to exchange communications information and resolve problems. Search, retrieve and store files, record and manuals to obtain information in response to inquiries. Check operating communications equipment and systems to report malfunctions to the proper authority ensuring continued statewide communications. Additional Duties: May be offered opportunities participate in, or support training programs, drills and exercises.
May be required to carry and use a two-way public safety radio during duty hours. Must have basic computer knowledge and experience, and a willingness and ability to learn and use work-related software programs, applications, and technology systems. Must have reliable transportation to and from work or assigned locations on a daily basis as well as during emergency activations or operations. Must have the ability to form harmonious working relations with others, and to work well with others and as part of a team. Fulfill other work-related assignments as required or assigned. Qualifications: ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Contracted Dispatchers will be utilized, to avoid forcing overtime of our current full-time dispatchers. Contracted Dispatchers may be utilized for day, night, and/or weekend shifts, and holidays, to ensure that the MEMA Communications Unit has 24-hour coverage. To ensure the Contracted Dispatchers will maintain proficiency, and if deemed necessary, they will be required to work one shift per pay period, to do so. IN-STATE TRAVEL EXPENSES: Transportation of any kind between the Contract Dispatcher's above home address and the assigned office location is not reimbursable. The assigned office location for the duration of this contract shall be MEMA HQ 400 Worcester Rd Framingham, MA 01702 If the Contract Dispatcher is required to travel from his/her home to a temporary assignment, rather than to the assigned office location defined above, transportation expenses may be reimbursed, either from the contract employee's home to the place of temporary assignment, or from the assigned office location to the place of temporary assignment, whichever is less. For each trip, the city or town visited must be reported. Mileage reported shall be based upon MapQuest.com (one-way trip to the venue and double for round trip). Mileage will be reimbursed at a rate of $0.62 per mile*. In addition to the approved mileage rate, reimbursement will be allowed for reasonable charges for tolls, fares, garaging, and parking, upon presentation of adequate documentation of expenses incurred. *The mileage rate is a negotiated rate and subject to change. In addition, the Contract Dispatcher will be paid for travel time beyond the normal commute to and from the assigned office location. The time recorded by MapQuest.com shall be used to calculate travel time. This position is on an as-needed basis. The rate of pay will be $25.00 per hour. Contracted Dispatchers are required to work two (2), eight (8) hour shifts a month, at least one per pay period. This may in a training capacity if there are no shifts available in the month. In cases of emergency, the Contract Dispatcher may be called upon to carry out certain incident-based duties for MEMA, based on their demonstrated skill set and the needs of the agency at the time of the incident. The position will be eligible for standard overtime rates (time-and-a-half of the above hourly rate) for any hours worked over the standard work week of 40 hours, to include hours worked during such incident. Per Chapter 505 of the Acts of 2014, contractors will accrue paid sick time at the rate of 1 hour per every 30 hours worked. Sick time shall be granted by MEMA according to the Commonwealth's Earned Sick Leave Policy.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.