Emergency Dispatcher

Emergency Services Operational Center is a component of the Chicago Housing Authority’s communication network functioning as a 24-hour, seven-days-a week center. Emergency Services is committed to providing valuable information, communications, and support in an excellent approach to CHA’s residents, staff, management teams, sister agencies such as Chicago Police and Fire Departments, and the Office of Emergency Management Communication. Emergency Services Operational Center’s mission is to empower residents and CHA personnel by providing valuable information and communications with quick and efficient responses during emergency situations.

The Emergency Dispatcher will report to the Supervisor of Emergency Services Operational Center and the Director of Safety and Security. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• The Dispatcher is responsible for receiving and responding to emergency calls from residents/non- residents and ensuring that immediate and appropriate personnel respond to the incident.
• Determining the nature, severity, and extent of problems by obtaining essential information; notifying key personnel of extremely serious situations; disseminating pertinent information to various levels of management on elevator outages, heat and hot water problems, flooding, water back-up and other emergency situations.
• This position will also contact various city services including law enforcement agencies to request assistance for residents for situations that could include: streetlights out of services, gas leaks, water pipeline breaking, etc.
• Tracking and monitoring emergency phone calls via HelpSTAR2010; and Cisco Agent Desktop
• Proactively monitor CHA properties via cameras and capture all information electronically and reports any criminal or problematic behavior to all necessary personnel, security, and CPD.
• Monitor building systems alarms such as smoke, water, temperature, carbon monoxide and elevators.
• During extreme weather, ESOC works closely with asset management, private management and OEMC to conduct well-being checks to all residents especially at-risk, elderly, and disabled residents.
• ESOC is notified of city-wide emergencies and determines whether they are on CHA or HCV properties by searching the Yardi’s database and disseminating found information to the necessary personnel.
• ESOC prepares various reports on the number of calls received, unusual incidents, faulty elevators and security-related issues and prepares morning reports.
• Follow up on open calls (work orders) from the HelpSTAR 2010 database.

• Performs all other duties and projects assigned.

   

QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a High School Diploma or G.E.D., college level coursework preferred. Must have a minimum of two (2) years related experience. Additionally, the position requires the ability to articulate clearly, to comprehend the transmitted information and to record messages expediently and with accuracy. Must be computer literate, Word, Excel, and Outlook. Fast, accurate typing skills are important. Must be flexible and able to work various shifts.