Dispatcher Lead - Antarctic Fire Department

About the role

Amentum is recruiting a Dispatcher Lead for the Antarctic Fire Department, which operates under the direct supervision of a dispatch supervisor. The role covers the day-to-day operation of the dispatch center, including all communications equipment, and supervises subordinate communication coordinators (dispatchers). It involves 24/7 coverage, including day shifts, night shifts and station holidays.

Key responsibilities

• Supervise and operate the dispatch center, including base station, portable and mobile radios, computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, pagers, 9-1-1 and administrative phone lines, VHF radios and the fire alarm receiving system.
• Dispatch emergency responders and technicians, create service requests and emergency facility work orders, and interpret equipment indicating facility emergencies.
• Notify emergency service personnel (firefighters, SAR, fire technicians, medical staff, spill response) when appropriate.
• Monitor and operate HF/VHF/Satellite telephone and radio equipment, assist communications technicians with troubleshooting, and support aircraft communications and aircraft movement reports.
• Track vehicle movements, field parties and recreation groups in line with USAP safe travel and field camp check-in policies, and initiate EOC and SAR procedures as required.
• Provide communication support to field personnel, coordinate radio communications during Fire Department, SAR or mass casualty events, and support the Emergency Operations Center during events and drills.
• Perform data entry using software, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, maintain accurate logs and reports, and communicate information thoroughly during shift exchanges.
• Coordinate international communications, handle sensitive information confidentially, and interact professionally with the National Science Foundation, military and other agency officials.
• Help train and review subordinate dispatchers, assist with special projects, and work a varied schedule to ensure 24/7 coverage.

Required profile

• High school diploma or GED.
• 4 years of emergency services (fire, EMS and/or law enforcement) dispatch experience, or 2 years as a dispatcher with the Antarctic Fire Department.
• Valid emergency dispatcher certification from APCO, NENA or a state agency, and/or a DoD Telecommunicator I/II certification.
• Incident Command System (ICS) 100 and 200 certifications required for offer consideration (training offered through FEMA).
• Willingness and ability to deploy to Antarctica for extended periods, with successful medical, dental, drug screening, background checks and US citizenship for facility credentials.
• Ability to lift and move equipment, climb in and out of equipment, crawl, work outdoors in extreme cold, and participate in station community programs.
• Preferred: at least two years of previous supervisory experience.

Required skills

• Computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and e-mail applications.
• Good judgment, independent prioritization of requests by urgency, and ability to work unsupervised at varying call volumes.