Communications Officer / 911 Dispatcher

McLeod County; Glencoe (MN); On-site; USD 29,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Holiday leave

Sick leave

Uniform pay

Job summary

McLeod County is seeking a Communications Officer to manage the Sheriff’s Communications Center, handling 911 and non‑emergency calls and dispatching police, fire and EMS resources. The role requires operating CAD and radio equipment, maintaining logs, and coordinating with multiple agencies under supervision.

The position includes training responsibilities, high‑stress scenario handling, and documentation accuracy across state and local systems.

Qualifications

• Must be able to type at least 45 wpm.
• Strong communication and de-escalation abilities.
• Ability to work rotating schedules incl. days/nights/weekends.
• Proficient with CAD and radio console equipment.

Responsibilities

• Answer and process 911 emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatch responders.
• Gather and dispatch information to appropriate personnel.
• Maintain radio dispatch log and enter data accurately.
• Monitor multiple radio frequencies for law enforcement and EMS.
• Serve as County Warning Point and issue alerts as needed.
• Assist and train Communications Officers and interns.
• May testify in court and coordinate with agencies.

Skills

Communication skills

De-escalation

Typing 45 WPM

Stress management

Multitasking

Tools

CAD software

Radio console

Records management system

Job description

• Pay or shift range: $21.07 USD to $31.61 USD
  The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Description

Position Summary

The Communications Officer is responsible for the operation and activities relative to the Sheriff’s Office Communications Center, including all emergency and non-emergency requests for service. The Communications Officer is a highly technical position that answers 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls from the public, interdepartmental calls from police, fire and ambulance services, and calls from other public safety agencies. Communications Officers monitor multiple computer screens, while efficiently gathering, prioritizing, and documenting caller information. Work requires the exercise of independent judgment and interpretation and is performed under general supervision with periodic review for accuracy and adherence to standards.

This individual provides callers with the appropriate advice or referral, or initiate police, fire, and/or emergency medical (EMS) services to the caller. The Communications Officer dispatches law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel by Operating Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), two-way radio, and other sophisticated communications equipment systems. Work includes handling high-stress and crisis situations, de-escalation of critical situations with callers, accurate transfer of information to multiple agencies and responders, and requires a high accuracy in receiving information and providing direction and location information through dispatch of emergency and public safety services.

Supplemental:

• The salary range for this position starts at $21.07/hour and progresses up to $31.61/hour
  • New hires should expect to start at $23.14/hour
  • Relevant previous experience will be taken into consideration.
  • Our organization values pay equity, and hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical.
• This is a trainable position with training provided, which must be successfully completed and maintained.
• This is a full-time benefit eligible position including medical, dental, life insurance, holiday, sick leave, vacation, and uniform pay.

The following duties are normal for this classification. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Position Duties

• Answer and process 911 emergency and non-emergency calls from the public, interdepartmental calls for police, fire and ambulance services, and calls from other public safety agencies for McLeod County. McLeod County dispatches for 19 public safety agencies within McLeod County as well as several State agencies.
• When a request for services is received (by telephone, radio, in person, by fax, email, or teletype {TTY}) gather and dispatch information to the appropriate personnel.
• Maintain radio dispatch log for emergency responders. Document calls for service, complete appropriate forms, and computer data entry for the same. Accuracy and timeliness of all above state responsibilities is imperative.
• Broadcast, enter, modify, cancel, and/or clear Hot File notices for wanted persons, stolen vehicle/suspect vehicle information, vehicle registrations, stolen property, runaway juveniles, or other information as requested. Monthly, quarterly, and yearly validation of Hot Files.
• Request and receive information via the Minnesota Department of Criminal Justice Information System (MNJIS) – PORTALS system, including but not limited to: persons, vehicles, drivers, guns, articles, and Computerized Criminal Histories files to query, enter, modify, clear and cancel data and operate computer terminals linked to State and Federal law enforcement agencies.
• Monitor numerous radio frequencies for law enforcement and emergency response agencies to request or provide assistance and information for the same.
• Serve as the “County Warning Point” for Civil Defense. Monitor weather radar, coordinate communications, and operate countywide warning system for natural and nuclear disasters. Alert the public, fire department/rescue/Skywarn personnel, officers, and responders with Code Red messages.
• Monitor various alarm systems and dispatch appropriate responding units.
• Observe video monitors for Sheriff’s complex. Is responsible for department building security and access to secured areas in Sheriff’s Administration area.
• Respond to requests for service by citizens at lobby window. May be required to answer inquiries or refer requests appropriately.
• Responsible for assisting and training Communications Officers and interns. Report to Communications Supervisor on status of new Communications Officer/intern candidates.
• Perform duties pertaining to law enforcement reports and records. Ensure that records are accurate and forwarded to the appropriate local, state, and federal agencies as needed by utilizing the office’s records management system and state and federal computer systems.
• Submit cases and search warrants through electronic/online filing systems.
• May testify in court as required.
• Host authorized tours of/within the dispatch center.
• Is responsible for the notification of the Sheriff or designee of any critical incident that has occurred during the work shift.
• Conduct pager tests for Law Enforcement, ERU, Fire Department, and EMS to ensure that equipment is working appropriately.
• Responsible for maintaining training certificates and attending training sessions to include online trainings as scheduled by the Communications Sergeant.

Non-Essential Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.
• Ability to become a Field Training Officer. Must have strong communications skills and the ability to train and evaluate trainees.
• Responsible to complete ongoing training as scheduled by the Supervisor and within the requirements of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• During their shift, the Communications Officer shall always remain awake and alert and capable of responding to the requests for assistance received from the public, Law Enforcement Officers or other Emergency Service personnel.
• Ability to work a rotating schedule which includes days/afternoons/nights/weekends/holidays and some shifts with minimum notice.
• Ability to enter accurate information into computer systems while simultaneously talking.
• Ability to operate CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) and radio console equipment.
• Ability to speak and enunciate while maintaining order and calmness in stressful conditions.
• Ability to handle situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully.
• Ability to make rapid decisions and sound judgments in emergency situations.
• Ability to interpret and apply communication policies and procedures.
• Ability to deal tactfully and professionally with the public, and all internal and external contacts.
• Day-to-day activities require many complex functions requiring a high retention of policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage, store and retrieve sensitive information using manual and computerized records.
• A minimum typing skill of 45 words per minute.
• A working knowledge of filing systems.
• A high ability to effectively communicate accurate information with other staff and law enforcement agencies through direct contact, radio transmissions, telephones, intercoms and through computers is required in daily activities.
• A high ability to communicate essential and appropriate information to staff, law enforcement agencies, emergency response agencies and the public in a professional and courteous manner. This includes the ability to learn, read, and decipher maps for paging the correct emergency responders and provide directions as they are enroute to a call for service, as well as provide timely updates. This includes providing Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) checks/status checks on emergency responders (firefighters interior and on fire ground, as well as officer and EMS safety checks on the scene of an incident).
• Ability to provide good telephone etiquette.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new systems and policies.
• Ability to develop skill and speed in the operation of radio, telephone, computer and related equipment.
• A high ability to react decisively and appropriately in highly stressful situations.
• Ability to de-escalate callers to decipher information received via telephone, radio, intercom and react appropriately.
• An ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• An