Fire Alarm Operator - Immediate Vacancy - CITY OF CONCORD, NH : Job Details

Salary : $45,260.80 AnnuallyLocation : Concord, NHJob Type: Full-TimeJob Number: 2024-83Department: FireOpening Date: 03/29/2024Description DEPARTMENT: Concord Fire DepartmentTYPICAL WORK SHIFT/SCHEDULE: 24 Hour Rotating ShiftsSTARTING SALARY: $21.76 with comprehensive benefits package.Open until filled. Ongoing review of qualified candidates.SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: A City Application is required. Applications may be completed online at For more information on applications, please call the Human Resources Department at (603) ###-#### (voice) or TTY at 800-###-#### or 7-1-1. No e-mails or faxes will be accepted. A thorough background check will be completed prior to hiring. For more information contact Fire administration at (603) ###-####.Job Summary:Receives and dispatches emergency and routine calls for the City Fire Department in order to protect life and property of the citizens of the City of Concord and Capital Area Fire Mutual Aid communities. Answers calls in a timely, professional, and appropriate manner. Provides calm, efficient and courteous processing of requests for assistance or information received through multiple communications media. Analyzes reports of incidents or requests for assistance; determines and dispatches the appropriate resources to effectively deal with the incident; handles multiple, simultaneous incidents which may vary in nature and severity; establishes order and control of the various communication systems; confirms locations of incidents and amends incorrect information as necessary; verifies whether request for assistance is from incident location or is reported from a remote location. Examples of DutiesReceives and prioritizes all incoming requests within the Capital Area for Emergency Services; provides mutual aid responses outside the Capital Area; receives and processes emergency calls; obtains and compiles information required to determine safe and appropriate apparatus response.Determines location, response apparatus, radio signal, and transmitting tower required to signal appropriate agencies; dispatches units; maintains radio communications; documents response times and narrative content; provides information relative to special hazards, additional response apparatus, and alarm levels; transmits emergency signals; monitors Firefighter Emergency Traffic Alerts.Monitors, receives, decodes, and transmits and dispatches Fire Alarm Activations transmitted via Master Box Alarm and Digitizer Alarms.Monitors in-house systems; ensures proper working order to maintain operation and safety of facilities.Operates as the primary Statewide Control Dispatcher for the New Hampshire Fire Mobilization Plan; fulfills task force and strike team mutual aid requests.Receives traffic signal complaints and malfunction advisories; determines appropriate agencies and makes notifications.Serves as secondary fire alarm operator for Lakes Region, and Southwest Fire Mutual Aid Dispatches; receives overflow calls for these agencies.Assists in training new Fire Alarm Operators under the guidance of the Lead Fire Alarm Operator.Monitors security systems and equipment for the Fire Headquarters complex.Analyzes reports of incidents or requests for assistance; determines and dispatches the appropriate resources to effectively deal with the incident; handles multiple simultaneous incidents which may vary in nature and severity and establishes order and control of the various communication systems.Serves as part of the New Hampshire Tactical Interoperability Communications Plan (TICP).Performs other related duties as required Typical QualificationsHigh School Diploma or its recognized equivalent supplemented by class work in personal computers, electricity and electronics.ORAny combination of education, training and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.Ability to work a 24 hour rotating shift.Licenses and Certifications:Ability to obtain APCO Certified Dispatcher. Supplemental InformationKnowledge of:Fire apparatus, equipment, emergency classifications, and response strategies and tactics.Fire alarm systems, including transmissions, fire alarm circuits, troubles, and system malfunctions.Radio systems, operations, towers, and system failures.Computer aided dispatch systems and reports.Multi-line and multi-function phone systems.TTY Telecommunications devices for the hearing impaired.Neighboring agency resources.The territory contained within the Capital Area Mutual Aid Region, including but not limited to streets, major landmarks, apartment complexes, major business locations, and buildings. Skill in:Communicating with persons in a panicked and crisis situation.Making decisions and prioritizing responses.Monitoring multiple radio frequencies, agencies, and apparatus.Translating incomplete and fragmented radio transmissions into concise and accurate messages.Operating office equipment and typing.Dealing effectively with a variety of people, including during an extreme emergency.Mental and/or Physical Ability to:Read and understand written directions, text, and numbers.Learn proper dispatch procedures, including analyzing incoming information to determine the level of resources required and the ability to prioritize calls.Learn to operate radio, telephone, and related equipment.Perform multiple tasks concurrently.Maintain a calm, measured demeanor during periods of extreme stress.Assimilate information and respond quickly.Handle a wide variety and large volume of emergency calls.Establish effective professional working relationships with other Communications Operators, Supervisors, Police Officers, the general public, ambulance company representatives, wrecker company representatives, fire service and EMS personnel, and members of other public safety agencies.Hear, understand, and orally communicate detailed information accurately and completely.Speak clearly and distinctly.Remain calm in stressful situation and deal courteously, professionally, and firmly with callers who may be hysterical in order to obtained critical information.Sit for prolonged periods or time. Employees are occasionally required to walk, stand, and/or move objects of up to 10 pounds.See and read a computer screen and a variety of written materials, all of which require close vision abilities.Employees must be able to reach and extend hands in any direction as well as handle, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise work with hands. Working Conditions:Duties are performed in an office environment. Noise ranges from quiet to very loud. MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED: Computer Aided Dispatching System Security Monitoring SystemNationwide Alerting System TTY Communications Device for the DeafGamewell Fire Alarm Control System Digitizing Alarm Receiving EquipmentVoting Receiving System E-911 Ani/Ali SystemMulti-Channel/Multi-site/Multi-use Radio Communications SystemCorrect use of radio and telephone communications systems. This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.City of ConcordHuman Resources DepartmentBenefits SummaryBENEFLEX PROGRAM SUMMARY (Effective July 1, 2023)Employee compensation consists of two parts - direct wages and benefits. The City of Concord provides a flexible benefit plan or cafeteria benefit plan known as BENEFLEX . This plan offers a range of benefit choices in the areas of: Health Plans, a Dental Plan, Life Insurance, a Medical Flexible Spending Account, a Dependent Care Reimbursement Account as well as Accident/Sickness (Disability) Plans. The City provides each full-time employee with benefit dollars, subject to annual City Council appropriation, for use in purchasing both medical and dental benefits, based on Federal eligibility guidelines. The exception to the Federal eligibility guideline falls under Healthcare Reform's Affordable Care Act with regard to adult dependent children between the ages of 19-26. The Affordable Care Act requires employers offering dependent coverage to cover adult children between the ages of 19-26, regardless of student status. Selection of additional benefits, such as a medical plan with a more expensive premium, flexible spending accounts or increased life insurance, may be paid for through payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis. If there is money left over from an employee's benefit dollars after benefit selection, it is treated as taxable income. Benefits take effect on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. An orientation/enrollment session with a full explanation of the Beneflex plan and its options is held once each month for new employees.Because of the tax implications, this type of a benefit program is governed by Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Service Code. The Beneflex Plan Year is July 1 through June 30. After initial new employee enrollment, changes in benefit selections are only allowed during the group re-opening period just prior to each plan year, within 30 days of a birth, adoption, death, marriage, divorce, a change in the employment status of the employee or employee's spouse or within 60 days of a loss of Medicaid coverage or loss of coverage under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).Wellness ProgramThe City of Concord continuously strives to offer comprehensive, responsive, and flexible health benefit plans and programs. All full-time employees and City-insured spouses are eligible to participate in the City's Wellness Program. In partnership with its insurers, the City of Concord is pleased to offer employees a unique opportunity to improve their overall health and create a healthier lifestyle. The City provides dollars ( wellpoints ), which can be used to offset the employee share of health insurance premiums. Wellpoints are earned for your participation in:

• Beneflex education sessions
• Health Questionnaires (every other year)
• Healthcare Consumerism workshops or Wellfit Challenges (every other year)
• Your choice of health education programs
• Your choice of physical exercise activities
• On-site health screenings

Wellpoints earned the previous Wellness year (May through April) will be awarded during the City's open enrollment period, typically held during the month of May. If an employee does not need the additional wellpoints to purchase medical insurance, they may be used for other aspects of the Beneflex program.Research has clearly shown that promoting health and fitness at the workplace and at home helps employees reduce the rate of premium increases and related health insurance costs, improve overall participant health, reduce stress levels, and become wiser health care consumers. The potential value of wellness programs to employers is just as impressive, with results such as reduced absenteeism, lower healthcare costs, improved employee morale, reduced employee turnover, better customer service, and enhanced employee recruitment. It is a win-win situation for everyone and it is fun!Current Options Available Under Beneflex Program Include:Health Care PlansThree plans are available through Harvard Pilgrim:

• Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare HMO 500 ($25 copay)
• Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare Elevate Health (T1-$25 copay/T2-Deductible then 20% coinsurance)
• Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare HMO High-Deductible HSA ($2000/$4000 Deductible)

Dental Insurance PlanOne plan is available through Delta Dental:Provides full coverage on certain diagnostic and preventive services, and limited coverage on certain restorative, prosthodontic (bridges, crowns, etc.), surgical, endodontic, periodontic, orthodontic coverage, and emergency services. $1500 benefit maximum per year.Vision Insurance PlanOne plan is available through Delta Vision:Provides coverage on a wide range of services (routine eye exams, glasses, contact fittings, evaluations and lenses) and offers additional savings on non-prescription sunglasses and laser vision correction. This plan is voluntary and is available through a post-tax payroll deduction.Life Insurance PlansCore coverage with a benefit equal to one year's base salary (up to a $150,000 max) is funded by the City. Employees may upgrade to two or three times their salary by funding the premium difference themselves. Employees may elect coverage up to $10,000 for spouse and dependent children.Income Protection PlansThe Income Protection Plan is provided at no cost and includes a sick leave program, Short-Term Disability Insurance, and Long-Term Disability Insurance.Flexible Spending Account (FSA)*A FSA can be set up for Health or Dental Care expenses, allowing an employee to set aside a predetermined amount of money on a pre-tax basis and be reimbursed for eligible expenses under the IRS code. Permanent part-time employees may also participate in this benefit at their own expense.*cannot be used if enrolled with the Harvard Pilgrim HMO High-Deductible HSA. Must be enrolled in one of the other available options through the city.Dependent Care Reimbursement AccountA Dependent Care Reimbursement account can be set up for dependent care expenses, allowing an employee to set aside a predetermined amount of money on a pre-tax basis and be reimbursed for eligible expenses under the IRS code. Permanent part-time employees may also participate in this benefit at their own expense.Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (LPFSA)A limited purpose FSA can be set up for Dental and Vision Care expenses only, allowing an employee to set aside a predetermined amount of money on a pre-tax basis and be reimbursed for eligible expenses under the IRS code. This is only available to those employees enrolled in a qualifying High-Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Health Savings Account (HSA)**A savings account, used in conjunction with a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), allowing an employee to set aside a predetermined amount of money on a pre-tax basis to cover out-of-pocket qualified medical expenses. An employer may also contribute to this account. **must be enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan through the city.OTHER BENEFITSAnnual (Vacation) LeaveGenerally speaking, most employees accrue annual leave at the rate of approximately eight to sixteen hours per month during their first 5 years of employment, with accruals increasing at certain anniversary dates thereafter. Leave cannot be used during an employee's first six months of employment. The Personnel Rules & Regulations, departmental approval procedures, and/or any applicable collective bargaining agreement should be referred to for details.NH Paid Family & Medical Leave (NH PFML)Provides a 60% wage replacement (up to the social security wage cap) for up to six weeks per year (after an initial 7-day elimination period) for absences from work for covered common life events such as:

• An employee's own serious health condition when disability coverage does not apply
• An employee to bond with a child during the first year of birth, including placement for adoption or fostering
• An employee to care for a family m ember with a serious health condition
• Any qualifying urgent demand or need arising out of the fact that the employee's spouse, child or parent is a covered military member on covered active duty
• An employee to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness if the employee is the service member's spouse, child, parent or next of kin

NH PFML will run concurrently with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) when the employee qualifies for both programs. If the employee is eligible for workers compensation, they will not qualify for PFML benefits for this same event. If the employee qualifies for Short-Term Disability, they will not qualify for PFML benefits for the same days absent. This leave can be used intermittently.Paid HolidaysSubject to the terms of applicable collective bargaining agreements and/or the Personnel Rules and Regulations, employees generally observe 12.5 paid holidays each year.Retirement - Pension System (mandatory participation)Upon employment, all full-time employees (35 hours or more) are enrolled in the New Hampshire Retirement System with a mandatory pre-tax payroll deduction each week of 7% of their gross income (11.55% for Group II Police employees and 11.8% for Group II Fire employees). The City also makes contributions to the New Hampshire Retirement System on behalf of full-time employees. The rate of contribution varies by Group I and II membership, as follows: Group Rate as of 7/1/23Employees (Group I)13.53%Police Officers (Group II)31.28%Firefighters (Group II)30.35%Retirement - Investment Opportunities (voluntary participation)Three additional options for retirement savings are 457 deferred compensation plans managed by MissionSquare Retirement (formerly ICMA-RC - International City Management Association Retirement Corporation), PFPOPE and Empower are also available through payroll deduction. A Roth IRA managed by the MissionSquare or a Roth 457 managed by Empower and PFPope are also available through payroll deduction.Accident/Critical Illness PlansTwo plans are available through Allstate offering cash benefits payable upon the event of an accident or diagnosis of a critical illness or condition. This benefit is voluntary and available through a pre-tax payroll deduction. Legal and ID Theft PlanTwo plans are available through Legalshield providing the option of either Legal services or ID Theft Protection plans. This benefit is voluntary and is available as a post-tax payroll deduction.Merit Pay Plan Employees are eligible for a merit pay increase, typically one step on the applicable wage schedule, upon satisfactory completion of their probationary period and annually thereafter (again subject to satisfactory performance).This document is a summary, only for purposes of providing general information to job applicants, and is subject to periodic revision by the Human Resources Department. It does not constitute any sort of guarantee, commitment or contract for any aspect of the Beneflex Program or the Personnel Rules & Regulations, which are also subject to change. The Beneflex Program is administered by the City of Concord at its sole discretion, subject to annual City Council appropriation and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.???????