Dispatcher

City of Ridgeland; Ridgeland (MS); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Public Employees' Retirement System

Deferred compensation plan

Cafeteria Plan

Job summary

The City of Ridgeland seeks a dedicated dispatcher to join its 911 communications center. You will handle emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatch police, fire, and medical units, and maintain unit status across a 12-hour shift (6AM-6PM or 6PM-6AM).

Knowledge of Ridgeland geography and police/fire operations is essential. Strong decision-making, calm demeanor, and clear communication are required to ensure officer and public safety.

Qualifications

• Graduate from high school or GED with ability to obtain dispatch certification.
• Experience in communications or related field preferred.
• Ability to learn police and fire operations and Ridgeland geography.

Responsibilities

• Operate telephone, radio, and other communication equipment.
• Receive emergency calls and process information for handling emergencies.
• Dispatch personnel and equipment to scenes and coordinate units.
• Maintain radio contact and monitor alarms and unit status.
• Keep records of all dispatches and provide routine information as needed.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Decision making

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

NCIC knowledge

TDD

Radio equipment operation

Job description

This is specialized work in receiving 911 emergency, as well as non-emergency and administrative calls, and dispatching information in a communications center. Although the work is performed within established policies and procedures, the job requires the ability to make good, sound decisions and remain calm in emergency situations. The incumbent must be knowledgeable of police and fire operations and of the geographical layout of Ridgeland, MS. Supervision and assignments are received from a superior both orally and in writing. Work is reviewed by superiors through observation, monitoring of operations, and the review of records and reports.

The incumbent of this position will be assigned to a 12-hour shift (6AM to 6PM or 6PM to 6AM).

Examples of Duties / Knowledge & Skills

Essential Functions

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Operate telephone, radio, and other communication equipment.
• Receive emergency calls and complaints, which must be properly processed by obtaining all pertinent information for handling emergencies and ensuring officer and public safety.
• Dispatch appropriate personnel and equipment to scenes of police, fire, medical incidents, accidents, natural disasters, rescue operations and other emergencies, and assign back-up units as needed.
• Receive routine calls and provide information as requested.
• Maintain radio contact with all police and fire units away from station; maintain status and current information on all units in and out of service.
• Monitor all alarms and dispatch units as needed.
• Maintain records of all emergency and other dispatches.
• Periodically make routine announcements and relay messages via radio.
• Operate accessory equipment which includes NCIC, typewriter, computer keyboard, TDD, and facsimile.
• Maintain an inventory of supplies at communication desk and request additional supplies when necessary.
• Act as after-hours dispatcher for the Public Works Department.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum qualifications & Requirements

The following minimum qualifications have been identified by subject matter experts (SME'S) who have supervised this position or functioned in the position; they are based upon job analysis information supplied by these SME'S. However, if a candidate believes he/she is qualified for the job although he/she does not have the minimum qualifications set forth below, he/she may request special consideration through substitution of related education and experience, demonstrating the ability to perform the essential functions of the position. Any request to substitute related education or experience for minimum qualifications must be addressed to the Human Resources Director, in writing, identifying the related education and experience which demonstrates the candidate's ability to perform all essential functions of the position. If a candidate believes he/she needs a reasonable accommodation to meet these minimum qualifications, the candidate must notify the Human Resources Director, in writing, of the need for the accommodation and identify the specific accommodation requested.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited high school or GED
• Six (6) months related experience and/or training in related field.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• A valid Mississippi driver's license.
• Dispatch Certification MJIC and NCIC desired, but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, And Other Characteristics

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively and clearly to individuals over the telephone, radio, or in person.

Physical Requirements

These physical requirements are not exhausive and additional job-related physical demands may be added to these by the City of Ridgeland if the need arises. Corrective devices may be used to meet these physical requirements.

• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to use hands to operate equipment and perform the essential job assignments.
• Ability to see, talk, and hear.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds on a regular basis.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The duties associated with this position are performed inside in a controlled atmosphere. The noise level is quiet to moderate.

The City of Ridgeland provides each full-time employee with health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance with no cost tothe employee. The employee may add dependents to the health and dental insurance and premiums will be paid through payroll deduction. The effective date if the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

• Full-time employees are awarded forty (40) hours of vacation after one year of service and eighty (80) hours of vacation after two years of service. After completion of four years of service, the employee is awarded an additional eight (8) hours per year of service exceeding four, not to exceed 160 hour per year.
• Full-time employees are awarded eight (8) hours of sick leave per month.
• The City of Ridgeland is a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System.
• Contribution rates are set by the Public Employees' Retirement System of MS.
• The City of Ridgeland celebrates the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Confederate Memorial Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The City of Ridgeland will also celebrate any additional holidays declared by the Governor of the State of Mississippi.
• Full-time employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Deferred Compensation Plan & Trust, which is a supplemental retirement savings plan authorized under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code and enacted by the Mississippi State Legislature. The City of Ridgeland does not match any contributions made by the employee into this plan.
• Full-time employees can elect to participate in the Cafeteria Plan, which allows certain payroll deducted insurance premiums, out-of-pocket medical expenses, and dependent care expenses to be paid with pre-taxed dollars.
• Cancer and accident supplement insurance is available for employees to purchase with premiums paid through payroll deduction.

The Ridgeland Police Department requires a pre-employment physical, which includes a drug screen, upon being offered the position.