FDNY Fire Alarm Dispatcher

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FDNY Fire Alarm Dispatcher Exam.......will be open for filing from December 3 - December 23, 2003 filing...As soon as the notice is up, I will provide a link here.

[x635 4,066]

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcas/pdf/firealarmdispatch.pdf

MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG

Mayor

MARTHA K. HIRST

Commissioner

THE CITY OF NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF CITYWIDE

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

APPLICATIONS CENTER

18 WASHINGTON STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10004

N O T I C E

O F

E X A M I N A T I O N

REQUIRED FORMS

APPLICATION FORM

READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

FIRE ALARM DISPATCHER

Exam. No. 3009

WHEN TO APPLY: From: December 3, 2003 APPLICATION FEE: $30.00

To: December 23, 2003 Payable only by money order to D.C.A.S. (EXAMS)

THE TEST DATE: The multiple-choice test is expected to be held on Saturday, April 3, 2004.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

TEST PAPER

FOREIGN EDUCATION

FACT SHEET

(IF APPLICABLE)

WHAT THE JOB INVOLVES: Fire Alarm Dispatchers, under direct supervision in a Communications office, or under

general supervision in the field, receive and transmit alarms of fire and emergency using various systems including

Computer Assisted Dispatch System (CADS), Mobile Data Terminals (MDT), telephone, voice alarm, Emergency

Reporting System (ERS), two-way radios, PC-based database programs, etc.; receive and process calls in regard

to administrative issues or complaints from FDNY field units, other FDNY bureaus, City agencies and/or the

public; interpret information received and use the computer keyboard to enter data into the computer for release

to fire companies; determine the amount and type of apparatus, and which units to send to alarms; relocate

companies as needed; adjust the number and/or type of units at fire scenes based on the condition and/or

predetermined response assignment protocols; operate department radio and voice alarm systems to announce

alarms to and receive fire company acknowledgments or response to alarms; announce special messages and notify

designated parties of incidents, as required; enter data into the computer for transmission to fire companies;

perform related work.

Some of the physical activities performed by Fire Alarm Dispatchers and environmental conditions experienced

are: speaking in a clear and understandable manner by telephone, Voice Alarm System, or radio; giving

instructions and dispatching fire companies; eliciting pertinent information from callers who may be under stress;

distinguishing between and acting upon indications of alarms which may be received in a Communications office

in the form of lights, buzzers, bells or computer queue alert; visually observing equipment that has various colored

lights which reflect changing conditions; and using a keyboard to access computer screens for reviewing or

inputting updates and/or changes in data.

Special working conditions: Eligibles appointed to this position will be required to work rotating shifts including

nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays in any or all Central Office facilities. Regularly scheduled shifts are

usually 12 hours in duration, however, the position may require being ordered to work beyond the regularly

scheduled shift and on days off.

(This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this

position.)

THE SALARY: The current minimum salary is $27,865 per annum. This rate is subject to change.

HOW TO APPLY: If you believe that you meet the requirements in the "How to Qualify" section, refer to the

"Required Forms" section below for the forms that you must fill out. Return all completed forms and the

application fee to DCAS Applications Section, 1 Centre Street, 14th floor, New York, NY 10007 by mail only.

Applications will not be accepted in person.

HOW TO QUALIFY:

Education and Experience Requirements: By the last day of the Application Period you must have:

A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and

(A) two years of satisfactory full-time experience, within the last five years, as an airport or railroad traffic

controller, a fire alarm dispatcher in a Class "A" Fire Alarm System, or in radio or telephone call receiving

and/or dispatching in an emergency communications facility; or

( three years of responsible, satisfactory full-time experience within the last six years, handling the receipt

of multiple, simultaneous calls and radio dispatching in response thereto; or

© three years of satisfactory full-time firefighting and/or fire dispatching experience, within the last six years,

as a member of a municipal or federal fire service/department or the New York City Fire Patrol; or

(D) three years of satisfactory service as a member in good standing of an accredited volunteer fire department

within the last five years. To be creditable, such service will be evaluated in accordance with the verifiable

points system established by the volunteer fire department to meet the minimum yearly service requirement

for being a member in good standing. Written verification by the highest ranking member of this volunteer

fire department that this requirement has been satisfied will be required.

College education may be substituted for a maximum of one year of experience as described in (, © or (D) only,

on the basis that 30 undergraduate semester credits from an accredited college or university is equivalent to six months

year of experience.

Exam. No. 3009 - Page 2

The General Examination Regulations of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services apply to this examination and are part of this

Notice of Examination. They are posted and copies are available in the Applications Center of the Division of Citywide Personnel Services,

18 Washington Street, NY, NY.

The City of New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Title Code No. 71010; Fire Alarm Dispatching Occupational Group.

For information about other exams, and your exam, or list status, call (212) 669-1357.

Internet: nyc.gov/html/dcas

Note: Experience in the following types of positions is not acceptable as listed in (A) or ( above: housing

superintendent, hospital page operator, radio motor patrol vehicle operator, or other vehicle operators who receive

and/or transmit messages over a mobile radio, hospital telephone operator, customer service personnel, airport

dispatcher other than air traffic controller.

A maximum of one year of satisfactory experience will be credited for each 12 month period. Part-time satisfactory

experience will be pro-rated and credited in lieu of, but not in addition to, full-time satisfactory experience during the

same 12 month period.

You may be given the test before we check your qualifications.

Medical Requirement: Medical guidelines have been established for the position of Fire Alarm Dispatcher.

Candidates will be examined to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of the position of Fire

Alarm Dispatcher. Where appropriate, a reasonable accommodation will be provided for a person with a disability

to enable him or her to take the examination, and /or to perform the essential functions of the job.

Drug Screening Requirement: You must pass a drug screening in order to be appointed.

Residency Requirement: You must be a City resident within ninety days of the date you are appointed to this

position if:

(1) You begin City service as a result of this examination; or

(2) You are currently a City employee and you began City service on or after September 1, 1986.

If you are required to be a City resident, you must maintain City residency as a condition of employment.

English Requirement: Candidates must be able to understand and be understood in English.

Proof of Identity: Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, you must be able to prove your identity

and your right to obtain employment in the United States prior to employment with the City of New York.

REQUIRED FORMS:

1. Application for Examination: Make sure that you follow all instructions included with your application

form, including payment of fee. Save a copy of the instructions for future reference.

2. Education and Experience Test Paper: Write your social security number, the examination title and

number in the box at the top right side of the cover page. Fill out Sections A, A.1, A.2 and B. This form

must be filled out completely and in detail for you to receive your proper rating. Keep a copy of your

completed Education and Experience Test Paper for your records.

3. Foreign Education Fact Sheet (Required only if you need credit for your foreign education to meet the

education and experience requirements): If you were educated outside the United States, you must have

your foreign education evaluated to determine its equivalence to education obtained in the United States.

The services that are approved to make this evaluation are listed on the Foreign Education Fact Sheet

included with your application packet. When you contact the evaluation service, ask for a “document-bydocument”

(general) evaluation of your foreign education. You must have one of these services submit

its evaluation of your foreign education directly to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services no

later than eight weeks from the last date for applying for this examination.

THE TEST: You will be given a multiple-choice test. Your score on this test will be used to determine your place on

an eligible list. The multiple-choice test may include questions on understanding written and verbal information;

communicating written information to another person; remembering new information; combining separate pieces of

information to form a general conclusion; applying general rules to a specific situation; understanding the order in

which things should be done; and other related areas. The pass mark on the multiple-choice test will be the score of

the 200 th highest scoring candidate. Candidates who are tied for the 200 th highest score will be deemed passers.

If you pass the multiple-choice test you will also be given a qualifying practical test to determine if you meet the skill

requirement of keyboard familiarity. In order to pass this test you must be able to type accurately at a minimum speed

of 50 keystrokes (10 words) per minute after errors are deducted.

ADMISSION CARD: You should receive an Admission Card in the mail about 10 days before the date of the test. If

you do not receive an Admission Card at least 4 days before the test date, you must go to the Examining Service

Section, 1 Centre Street, 14th floor, Manhattan, to obtain a duplicate card.

THE TEST RESULTS: If you meet the education and experience requirements, and pass the multiple-choice test and

qualifying practical test, your name will be placed in score order on an eligible list and you will be given a list

number. You will be notified by mail of your test results. If you meet all requirements and conditions, you will be

considered for appointment when your name is reached on the eligible list.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Selective Certification for Foreign Language: If your name is on the eligible list and you can speak a foreign

language, you may be considered for appointment to positions requiring this ability through a process called Selective

Certification. If you pass a qualifying foreign language test, you may be given preferred consideration for positions

requiring this ability. Follow the instructions given to you in the multiple-choice test booklet on the day of the test to

indicate your interest in such Selective Certification.

SPECIAL TEST ACCOMMODATIONS: If you plan to request special testing accommodations due to disability or

an alternate test date due to your religious belief, follow the instructions included with the “Application for

Examination”.