Dispatcher Trainee

Getactivewoodcounty; Wisconsin Rapids (WI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)

457 deferred compensation plan

Vacation and Sick Time

10 Paid Holidays

Flexible Spending Account

Life Insurance

Short and Long-Term Disability

Wellness Incentive Plan

Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Ability to earn comp time after 40+?

Job summary

The Wood County Dispatch Center has an immediate opening for a Dispatcher Trainee, and will establish an eligibility list for future vacancies. This role handles public safety telecommunications and radio transmission, serving as the vital first link between the public and emergency services in Wood County.

Applicants should have a high school diploma or equivalent, be 18+ and a U.S. citizen, and pass background checks and required TIME, CPR, and EMD certifications.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; 18+ and U.S. citizen.
• Typing speed 45 wpm and professional interaction skills.
• Must complete TIME system certifications, CPR, and EMD certifications.
• Background check and pre-employment drug screening required.

Responsibilities

• Receive and process emergency and non-emergency calls; coordinate dispatch.
• Operate CAD, telephone, radio, and related systems; maintain professionalism and confidentiality.
• Gather and document critical information; prioritize calls and coordinate agencies.
• Work with trainees and experienced dispatchers to develop proficiency in call-taking and radio communications.
• Assist multiple agencies and maintain records per procedures.

Skills

Typing 45 wpm

Strong communication

TIME certifications

CPR certification

EMD training

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

TotalResponse software

Job description

Wood County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

Hours: 6am-6pm OR 6pm-6am, 365/24/7 operation, nights/days, holidays, and weekends.

WHO WE ARE

The Wood County Dispatch Center has great passion for helping the members of our community. As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality services is a shared goal across all departments. If you have a background in Criminal Justice and a passion to help the members of our community, please consider joining our team!

WHAT WE OFFER

• Health Insurance - we offer low premiums and low deductibles, with excellent coverage!


• Dental Insurance


• Vision Insurance


• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) - This is one of the best-funded public pension plans in the U.S.!


• 457 deferred compensation plan


• Vacation and Sick Time - Start accruing for both on your first day!


• 10 Paid Holidays


• Flexible Spending Account to set aside pre-tax dollars for childcare and medical expenses


• Life Insurance


• Short and Long-Term Disability


• Wellness Incentive Plan


• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program


• Ability to earn comp time after 40 hours worked

CURRENT OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN OUR TEAM

The Wood County Dispatch Center has an immediate opening for a Dispatcher Trainee, and to establish an eligibility list for future vacancies. This job classification consists of public safety telecommunications calls for service, and radio transmission to the Wood County Dispatch Center - Public Service Answering Point (PSAP). This provides the vital first-link between the citizens and various emergency services of Wood County, which directly contributes to the safety and well-being of service agencies and the public.

RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Dispatcher Trainee — Observe, learn, and put into practice how to receive and process emergency and non-emergency calls while completing comprehensive training in emergency communications. Gather and accurately document critical information, prioritize calls based on urgency, and learn to coordinate appropriate police, fire, EMS, and other emergency responses. Operate CAD, telephone, radio, and related communication systems while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, accuracy, and composure in high-pressure situations. Work closely with experienced dispatchers and emergency personnel to develop proficiency in call-taking, radio communications, incident documentation, and established emergency response protocols.

Wage Progression

The Dispatcher Trainee will be compensated at the trainee rate during the training and probationary period. Upon successful completion of the required training and probationary period, generally expected within six months, the employee will advance to Grade G, Step 1 on the Wood County Wage Structure. The training period may be extended at the discretion of the Dispatch Manager when additional time is needed to successfully complete training requirements.

• 1. Observe tenured and fully trained Dispatchers answer all incoming non-emergency and emergency calls to the Wood County Dispatch Center to learn what is expected when a trainee begins to answer calls. From questioning the caller, the Dispatcher will determine the type of service needed; establish priorities for the calls for service, determining and dispatching the appropriate agencies via the radio or phone systems, and coordinating the dispatched units and their radio traffic. At times, remain on the phone with the caller to monitor the situation, gain additional information, and give pre-arrival instructions based upon training. At times, coordinate responses with other PSAP outside of Wood County. Handle requests for service from field units and maintain status of all units in the Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD).


• 2. Observe and learn how a Dispatcher enters all complaints received into CAD. Assign and give description of, and complete, all complaints. Maintain and keep local computer records up to date: complaints, apprehension requests, temporary restraining orders and injunctions, warrants, business files, address files, and public records. TIME screens: Enroll and successfully complete TIME I certification through the State TRAIN Web site. Learn to perform all Department of Transportation (DOT), Crime Information Bureau (CIB), and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) transactions according to state and national regulations. Assist any agency requesting an individual’s record by running through the computer systems. Enter warrants, missing persons, stolen articles, vehicles, and guns into the computers as per NCIC/CIB procedures and regulations. Answer requests from other agencies on the status of active warrants and cancel warrants serviced or when notified of cancellation by the Wood County Clerk of Courts. Perform criminal history record checks for law enforcement personnel.


• 3. Learn how to provide criminal background information as requested by patrol officers.


• 4. Observe and learn how to page all agencies by following procedures of the Dispatch Center. Examples are ambulance services, fire departments, law enforcement personnel, The Family Center, Social Services, Red Cross, Emergency Management, Chief Coroner/ Deputy Coroners, Wood County Systems Department, and mutual aid agencies.


• 5. Become familiar with the operating Emergency Warning equipment according to set procedures. Examples are National Warning System (NAWAS) Weather and Alert Systems and sirens.


• 6. Observe, learn, and practice how to complete any supplementary reports. File all pertinent documents received appropriately as procedure indicates. Keep all warrants received and file properly. Complete appropriate Runaway/Missing Persons forms.


• 7. Understand how to assist non-terminal agencies and outside county agencies.


• 8. List deer carcass locations for Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pickup via the online State system with the assistance of trainers. Assign wardens appropriate DNR complaints and/or relay directly to DNR headquarters with the assistance of trainers.


• 9. Observe Dispatchers answer and dispatch incoming alarms received through Alarm Answering Services or On Premises Alarms, according to the Alarm Procedure and Policy of the department. Eventually the trainee will answer and dispatch calls under supervision of trainer.


• 10. Learn how to operate radios, telephones, computers, computer interfaces, and other communications equipment in accordance with federal, state, local, and department rules and regulations.


• 11. Learn how to maintain activity status records on service agency units.


• 12. Read and understand maps (computerized and paper) to assist in determining locations of requests for services and learn how to relay this information to responding units when needed.


• 13. Know, understand, adhere to, and actively support Department policy, procedures, regulations, and the Department’s mission.


• 14. Direct efforts towards the development and reinforcement of good community relations by dealing with service agencies and the public in a courteous, attentive, and helpful manner.


• 15. Responsible to know and practice the Safety policies of the County. Perform all job tasks in a safe and prescribed manner.

OTHER DUTIES

• 1. Observe, learn, and understand how to handle animal complaints and make referrals to the Wood County Humane Officer, or the local town constables.


• 2. Learn how and when to contact highway and street departments for road repairs and/or conditions. Inform the general public of road conditions as well as other requests for information they may have.


• 3. Understand when and how to contact wreckers and maintain the vehicle tow log.


• 4. Discuss and understand how and when to notify the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) and other appropriate agencies regarding fatal vehicle accidents with a trainer.


• 5. Assist other service agency personnel as necessary.


• 6. Keep Dispatch Center and equipment clean.


• 7. Notify the Dispatch Manager of any needed repairs.


• 8. Participate in a brief relief at shift’s end.


• 9. Participate in job related training sessions and seminars.


• 10. Any other duties as may be assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma or the equivalent is required. One to two years of additional schooling is preferred. Must be 18 years of age, or older, United States citizen, be of good reputation, no felony convictions, and pass pre-appointment background investigation as well as pre-employment drug screening. Typing skills of 45 w.p.m. required. Ability to interact professionally with others is required.

Must successfully complete and maintain while employed with Wood County, TIME system certifications, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certifications, and Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification via the TotalResponse training modules and be trained in the use of TotalResponse software for handling Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls for service. Basic, everyday living skills are needed, as is the ability to understand and follow oral and written directions. Reading, writing, adding, and subtracting is needed.

Basic equipment used: Communications terminal, radio equipment, general office equipment, fire equipment.