911 Dispatcher - Full-Time

Bayfield County, WI; Town of Washburn (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Bayfield County, WI is seeking a dedicated dispatcher to provide emergency and non-emergency communications for police, EMS, fire departments, and the county’s answering point.

The role involves answering public inquiries, gathering necessary details for dispatch, and assigning calls to field units while maintaining comprehensive records and coordinating with multiple agencies. Strong typing, computer and radio skills, and situational judgment are essential.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively, including written and oral communications.
• Typing skills 40-50 words per minute.
• Proficiency with computer terminals and radio dispatch equipment.
• Familiarity with CAD and records management systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide dispatch services for law enforcement, EMS, fire departments, and emergency telephone answering point.
• Answer questions from the public and obtain information to dispatch appropriate services.
• Assign calls for service to field units.
• Maintain records of all calls and retrieve audio/data files.
• Communicate via radio, phone, or text with field units and perform requested tasks.
• Perform emergency radio procedures during radio issues.
• Provide updates to field units on incidents and information.
• Assign units using knowledge of Bayfield County geography and boundaries.
• Process alarm reports and monitor surveillance where applicable.
• Enter, modify, and cancel warrants; record stolen items and missing persons.
• Use CAD and records management systems to document and track incidents.
• Handle routine record checks for field units.

Skills

Effective communication

Typing 40-50 wpm

Computer terminal operation

Radio dispatch equipment

Learning ability

Judgment and initiative

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CAD/records management systems

Job description

To provide dispatch services for law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire departments, and an emergency telephone answering point.

• A. Work involves radio communications (emergency and non-emergency) and telephone answering in the dispatch center for police, ambulance, and fire departments.
• B. Answer questions from the public and obtain sufficient information to make the appropriate emergency service dispatch request.
• C. Assign calls for service to field units.
• D. Maintain records of all incoming and outgoing calls from the communication center. Retrieve recorded audio files or data files.
• E. Communicate by radio, phone or text messages with field units and perform requested tasks.
• F. Perform emergency radio procedures in the event of radio operating difficulties.
• G. Provide update services for field units such as stolen articles, wanted persons, or informational broadcasts.
• H. Assign units by virtue of familiarity with the geographic layout of Bayfield County using reference points, road locations and emergency service boundaries.
• I. Process alarm reports (burglary, fire, etc.)
• J. Monitor courtroom and courthouse surveillance cameras
• K. Enter, modify and cancel warrants. Enter stolen items and missing persons.
• L. Use the CAD and records management systems to record complaints and assign incident and call numbers.
• M. Handle routine requests for record checks from field units.
• N. Perform related work as directed or required by department personnel including taking messages for off-duty personnel.
• O. Perform any other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

• A. Minimum of a high school diploma or GED
• B. Pass Drug Screen and Background Check
• C. Ability to communicate effectively, including written and oral communications
• D. Meet the requirements to become T.I.M.E. System certified
• E. Knowledge of modern office and clerical practices, procedures, and equipment.
• F. Skill in the operation of a computer terminal and radio dispatch equipment.
• G. Typing skills 40-50 words per minute.

Physical Requirements

• A. May require sitting in one location for extended periods of time.
• B. May require extensive keyboard entry.
• C. May require extended periods of time viewing multiple computer monitors.
• D. Ability to hear and distinguish various ring tones.
• E. May require occasional lifting of 30 pounds or less.
• F. Vision: Ability to read, interpret and understand multiple computer screens at program resolution levels
• G. Hearing: Ability to simultaneously listen to a phone call while monitoring radio traffic on speaker.
• A. Ability to speak distinctly and clearly.
• B. Must have initiative and good judgment.
• C. Ability to learn and retain numerous technical functions, policies and procedures.
• D. Ability to learn and become familiar with the geographic layout of Bayfield County.
• E. Ability to understand and work with Federal, State, County, and Local laws and ordinances.
• F. Ability to maintain extreme stability, good memory, and organization of work procedures during periods of heavy activity and stress.
• G. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.
• H. Ability to type information real-time while processing a call for service. 40-50 words per minute minimum.
• I. Ability to perform numerous tasks simultaneously e.g., gather information from a caller while dispatching an ambulance and starting a computerized incident record.
• J. Ability to handle and converse with persons who are in elevated states of emotion or under the influence of intoxicants or drugs.