MTA Emergency Communications Operator Exam

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Got my test on Friday in North White Plains. Anyone else taking it? Does anyone currently in communications have any advice? This will be my first dispatcher exam.

[x635 4,066]

Probaly too late, but here are some resources:

http://www.queenslibrary.org/index.aspx?page_nm=CEL+Divisions&branch_id=CEL&pid=481&wid=6#List

[effd3918 34]

Whats the pay look like for MTA dispatchers?

[FDNYDCHI 38]

As per there job posting starting is 34 almost 35k per year, here was the job posting as per MTA BSC website

Job Description

Job Title: Agency:

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR MTA Headquarters

Job ID: Department:

73580 Police Communications Unit

Location: Queens

Division:

Commanding Officer Comm

Full/Part Time:

Regular/Temporary:

Return to Previous Page

Job Information

SALARY: $34, 869 (salary non-negotiable/ position covered by IBT Local

808 collective bargaining agreement)

DEPT/DIV: Police Communications Unit

LOCATION: Long Island City, Queens

SUPERVISOR: Sergeant or Emergency Communications Supervisor

HOURS OF WORK: Varying shifts* *Must be available to work day, afternoon, or

overnight shifts, including holidays and weekends as assigned.

Summary

The Emergency Communications Operators are responsible for handling both emergency and non-emergency calls for police assistance. When assigned to the C3 Center this position monitors and reports on alarms received through the integrated electronic security network in order to provide for the safety and security of the customers and employees of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the protection of the critical infrastructure of the MTA.

When assigned to Police Dispatch Emergency Communications Operators must be able to gather and disseminate information obtained from callers in crisis, suicidal callers, and callers in high-risk incidents. They must be able to provide resources to emergency responders who are in distress, and immediate response to any event alarm or condition that may jeopardize safety and security. To accomplish this they must make critical decisions rapidly under high-stress conditions.

Emergency Communications Operators must make decisions on dispatching emergency response personnel and resources to the scene of an incident. They are further required to determine if an alarm indication necessitates a response and to determine the nature and scope of the response.

Successful candidates must undergo an MTA Police Department background check, and be fingerprinted.

Responsibilities

°Receives emergency calls for assistance and dispatches emergency responders.

°Prioritizes emergency calls to provide critical incident response, identify and utilize available

resources and tools to enhance the delivery of public safety services

°Use existing map interfaces, mapping program features, and zone beat configurations in

order to identify resources to support Police operations.

°Monitor all security related systems in the C3 center, which includes but is not limited to

intrusion detection, access control, intercom, closed circuit television, and radio telephone

communications.

°Identify alarms and make appropriate notifications

°Process basic system administration tasks and other related work to determine system

failures and make notification to EITG for repairs

°Maintain a comprehensive situation awareness of system security

°Notification to appropriate law enforcement agencies of incidents and to other agencies in the

MTA as required.

°Monitoring of system health by monitoring, tracking, and reporting to maintenance groups on

any systems problems that occur.

°Generate daily, weekly, and monthly reports as required relative to alarm activities and C3

Center Operations.

°Perform trend analysis of various security events and alarms as directed by supervision.

°Research and collect data for system audits.

Qualifications

°Excellent oral and written communication skills

°Ability to make critical decisions based on current data, past experience, and business rules

°Ability to prioritize tasks

°Excellent analytical abilities

°Ability to work rotating and non-traditional tours (evenings, overnight, weekends, holidays)

°Ability to work mandatory overtime

°Proficiency in a second language, a plus

Education and Experience

°High School diploma plus two to three years of work experience in a customer service

environment required: dispatching or emergency services work experience is highly preferred.

°Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other applications.

°Basic keyboarding ability.

How To Apply

Qualified applicants can submit an online application by clicking on the 'APPLY NOW' button from either the CAREERS page or from the JOB DESCRIPTION page.

If you have previously applied on line for other positions, enter your User Name and Password. If it is your first registration, click on the CLICK HERE TO REGISTER hyperlink and enter a User Name and Password; then click on the REGISTER button.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Edited September 29, 2011 by FDNYDCHI

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Seth, its too late for that but thanks for the heads up. Should be useful for next time.

The study guide they gave isn't too bad, I guess its mostly video scenarios that you take notes on and scenarios where you prioritize fictional calls. We'll see what happens.

[FDNYDCHI 38]

good luck with the test...

from a fellow UNHer (class of 2002) my advise is to take any and all test's that you can.

I have been with the MTA for almost 2 years now and even though the media bashes then its a good company to work for.

Chris

[BFD1054 1,552]

Seth, its too late for that but thanks for the heads up. Should be useful for next time.

The study guide they gave isn't too bad, I guess its mostly video scenarios that you take notes on and scenarios where you prioritize fictional calls. We'll see what happens.

Best of luck with the test. Give yourself plenty of time to get there and maybe have a light breakfast beforehand. Dont rush yourself either, use the time wisely.

Again, good luck.