COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Washington County; West Bend (WI); On-site; USD 58,032 - 70,928; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Washington County in West Bend, Wisconsin, is hiring a Communications Officer for its Sheriff's Department. The role involves handling 911 emergency calls, dispatching services, and operating communications equipment. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and a passion for public safety.

The position offers a merit-based salary starting at $64,480 annually, with a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• Able to work nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Must possess a valid Wisconsin driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Receive and transmit messages using radio and telephone.
• Enter required notices and information to CIB and NCIC.
• Monitor and maintain building security and surveillance.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Crisis management

Interpersonal skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Communications Officer

Washington County, located in West Bend, Wisconsin has an excellent opportunity for a Communications Officer within its Sheriff's Department. The Sheriff's Office operates a 24-hour Communications Center that answers 911 emergency calls and dispatches for the Sheriff's Office, 5 Police Departments, and 14 Fire and Rescue agencies. Communications Officers receive, relay, and dispatch emergency calls for service; enter, update and retrieve information from a variety of computer systems; utilize computer-aided dispatch (CAD); and operate a variety of communications equipment, including radio consoles and telephones.

Washington County is recognized for its commitment to providing quality services to the citizens of our community. Our team members embrace the challenge of meeting goals and expectations. Every day we work to creatively problem solve, innovate and collaborate as a team to meet customer needs and deliver solutions.

Mission

We create an environment for residents and businesses to enjoy our authentic quality of life through a well governed and administered county dedicated to safe and secure communities; economic growth and vitality; effective mobility and reliable infrastructure; and access to basic needs.

Vision

Washington County strives to cultivate its rich heritage, vibrant economy and attractive communities through the distinct values that define us.

Values

Respect, Optimism, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion, and Collaboration.

Benefits

Washington County offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes Health, Dental, and Life Insurance; Short- and Long-Term Disability; Medical and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts; Wisconsin Retirement System and Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (IRS 457); Holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO); tuition and fitness center reimbursement.

Qualifications

• A citizen of the United States and 19 at the time of application.
• Prior work experience preferably involving public safety, communications, or customer service.
• Able to work nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Clear and concise speech.
• React quickly and effectively in stressful situations.
• Ability to work with the public, including people in crisis.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Must possess a valid Wisconsin driver's license upon appointment with vision correctable to 20/20.
• No felony or serious misdemeanor convictions and must successfully pass a physical examination, audiogram, drug screening, and security clearance as conducted by the Sheriff prior to hire.

Educational Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.

Salary

• Merit Based Salary (reviewed annually):

  Starting annual: $64,480 annually, assuming full-time hours worked (pay is hourly at $31.00/hour) Pay is based on experience; to include consideration for lateral pay transfers on a case-by-case basis.

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Communications Supervisor, all communications equipment in the Sheriff's Office or mobile command posts as required.

Duties

• Receives and transmits messages to and from cars, other stations and other terminals using radio, telephone and teletype equipment.
• Comply with all Sheriff's Office Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P), Official Orders and Directives.
• Successfully meets or exceeds the minimum standard or performance levels of those S.O.P. or Directives that require periodic testing or qualifying.
• After training, efficiently and effectively operates a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.
• Receives calls-for-service, assign law enforcement officers, fire/rescue personnel, highway departments, wreckers, and other resources to incident. Prioritize calls-for-service.
• Obtains teletype operation certification and transmits messages on provided devices.
• Enters required notices and information to CIB and NCIC as directed by operation policies.
• Monitors and maintains building security and surveillance via provided devices and methods.
• Attends and satisfactorily completes all in-service training, on-the-job training and specialized schools and classes, as required.
• Performs such other duties as may be required, including responding to an emergency event.

Work Direction Received

Works under the general direction Communications Supervisor.

Decision Making

Decisions are made independently.

Interaction

There is significant interaction with other law enforcement agencies, County departments, the District Attorney's Office, the court system, and the general public.

Essential Knowledge and Abilities

• Pass written and/or aptitude test designated to determine suitability for position.
• Ability to speak clearly and be understood when using the radio or telephone.
• Obtain and maintain current teletype operator certification prior to expiration of probation period.
• Successfully achieve a passing grade and finish all training classes, courses, or seminars required by the State of Wisconsin or the Sheriff's Office.
• Ability to accept and carry out all orders.
• Ability to remain calm and to control emotions under stress.
• Ability to develop skills to a practical level in the use of all communications equipment before the end of probation period.
• Interact effectively with coworkers and the general public.
• Able to fulfill physical demands of job, sensory demands (seeing and hearing), and cognitive demands (concentration, conceptualization, memorization).

Probationary Period

1 year.

Residency

• Must establish and maintain residency within Washington County or the surrounding counties (Dodge, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan and Waukesha counties) by the end of the probationary period.

Washington County is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individual with Disabilities.

Position: 200824

Posting Start: 06/04/2026

Posting End: 12/31/9999

SALARY RANGE: $31.00-$41.23