Telecommunicator (9-1-1 Dispatcher)

Calling all Dispatchers!

Come expand your career with an organization that values and supports you to learn, grow, and develop. Join our collaborative, supportive, and results-driven team. This role provides the opportunity to bring your whole self to work, engage, lead, and drive your own learning and growth within the organization. La Crosse County leaders are committed to provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We are also dedicated to your learning and development to grow in an organization that is deep in talent.
 
Telecommunicators take emergency calls and dispatch police, fire and medical services, and also take non-emergency calls. This position requires extensive training and familiarization with emergency service dispatching entailing a 9-1-1 system and hired persons will be trained to be familiar with all aspects of emergency dispatch center operations.  All positions are full-time.  This is a 24/7 operation - there are 3 shifts, and work will include holidays and weekends. 

 

Minimum starting pay is $23.57/hr, and may be higher with experience. Shift differentials are added to base pay for 2nd ($1.00/hr) and 3rd ($1.50/hr.) shift work.
  

ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST (click here): This checklist addresses several important factors about the working environment for Telecommunicator, which may impact your decision to pursue employment in this position.  Please review it carefully before applying - if interviewed you will be asked to sign a form indicating your acceptance of these factors.

 

NOTE: Prior to interview candidates will be scheduled for a 4-hour job shadow.
 

Associate Experience – What’s In It For You?
   Supportive, collaborative, inclusive, and diverse workforce.
   Career learning, development, and growth opportunities.
   Culture of respect and dignity, teamwork, honesty, and integrity.
   Serving your community in a purposeful and meaningful way.
   Flexibility with generous paid time-off benefits.
   Excellent benefits:
   ••Wisconsin Retirement System - Very stable and strong
   ••Health Insurance with options for free care
   ••Dental Insurance with comprehensive coverage
   ••Life Insurance with short and long-term disability
  

We will be accepting applications until all vacancies are filled. 

 

Essential Job Functions

 

Demonstrates self-leadership, seeks out opportunities for personal growth and development, accepts feedback and demonstrates ability to learn and apply.

 

Shares ideas and demonstrates respect, humility, honesty, and open-minded thinking.

 

Demonstrates flexibility, acceptance of change and emotional intelligence.

 

Takes initiative and demonstrates the ability to think critically and strategically.

 

Participates as a contributing member of the team and brings authentic self to discussions regarding all aspects of the work.

 

Demonstrates ability to build and maintain effective relationships.

 

Answers calls by radio and telephone and dispatches public-safety personnel as required and provides information to callers and public-safety responders.

 

Listens to radio communications and responds with voice quality that transmits with clarity. Wears headset at all times and listens to one conversation through headset and often listens to another conversation at same time with other ear.

 

Performs multiple tasks at one time. Handles flurries of activities which may be followed by inactive times.

 

Reads printed maps, plus maps on computer screen. Reads icons, alpha and alpha/numeric detail on computer screen, teletypes from other sources.

 

Logs calls and actions taken in accordance with prescribed procedures.

 

Operates multiple computers and software programs at the same time.

 

Ascertains nature of calls to assure correct information to determine necessary action to be taken.

 

Operates all equipment and monitors its operation to assure proper functioning.

 

Makes out reports as prescribed by established procedure.

 

Exercises good judgment in dispatching and answering inquiries to the Center.

 

Maintains confidentiality of work-related information.

 

In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients.  Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors and public officials.

 

Physical demands:  Almost all time is spent in office at computer console (which is height adjustable for standing or sitting), viewing six monitors and using three computer terminals from one position. Reads computer screen icons, alpha/numeric detailed messages, computerized maps, printed maps, teletype print and manuals. Writes and types messages.  Uses good judgment while working under pressure.  Listens to several conversations at same time, one through headset, one with other ear. Radio transmissions may have interference, garbled sounds or persons whispering or screaming. Frequently moves about the dispatch center, and reaches and grasps manuals and 3" binders. Opens and shuts 36" lateral files. Microphone activated by either hand or foot controls. Mental agility and excellent memory necessary for multi-tasking. Frequently works rotating shifts. Occasionally may be called in on short notice to work a full or part shift or work an extended (12-hour) shift. Stress can be intense with the demands of flurries of activities and multi-tasking; then adjusting to little activity, and uncertainty of activities. Some computer messages are color-coded but can be learned with extra effort by their position/placement on screen.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

 

•Must have above-average memory.
•Must have good hearing, and visual acuity to read and discern lighted equipment, boards, alarm monitoring equipment, etc.
•Possess a good radio and telephone voice for clarity and enunciation to assure understanding of related message.
•Considerable knowledge of specific locations within the County and cities.
•Willingness to work varied shifts and weekends and holidays and long hours in emergency situations.

Must possess the following abilities:
•Capable of following procedures as prescribed.
•Become familiar with all operations of an emergency dispatch center.
•Be alert and to use good judgment often under pressure and stress.
•Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
•Deal with the public and public-safety personnel courteously and in a business-like fashion, even under stress.
•Accuracy in typing and data entry.
•Perform a variety of tasks associated with the operation of a computer-aided emergency dispatch center.
•Present, describe and summarize information orally using, clear, concise and appropriate language in an organized manner.
•Derive the correct meaning from various types of information received orally.
•Cope with both periods of inactivity and periods of intense stress.

 

Training, Experience and Other Requirements

 

•Graduation from an accredited high school, or GED.
•Must successfully complete a law enforcement background check suitable for working with public safety responders.
•Must satisfactorily complete a prescribed course of training for Telecommunicators and serve a one-year probationary period.
•Prior emergency dispatching experience is preferred.
•Must be available and willing to work weekends, holidays and all three shifts as needed to provide adequate staff for this 24-hour operation.
•Successful candidates for the position must pass a hearing test.