Emergency Services Dispatcher

El Paso County, Colorado, USA; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 57,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center is seeking a dedicated dispatcher to handle 911 and non-emergency calls in a high-stress environment. You will dispatch police, fire, and EMS units, provide pre-arrival instructions, and maintain CAD/NCIC records while upholding confidentiality and excellent service to the public.

The role requires strong communication, multitasking, and critical thinking with the ability to remain calm under pressure.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must obtain CJIS compliance within six months of employment.
• Must obtain CPR certification within 30 days.
• Must obtain NCIC/CCIC certification within 30 days.
• Must obtain NCMEC certification within 30 days.
• Must obtain IAEM emergency medical dispatch certification within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Answers, evaluates, and prioritizes 911, emergent, and non-emergent calls.
• Dispatches agencies via a digital radio system.
• Provides pre-arrival instructions to callers.
• Maintains logs and supports training programs for new hires.
• Assumes shift supervisory duties as assigned.
• Provides customer service and maintains confidentiality.

Skills

Strong communication

Ability to work under stress

Critical thinking

Decision making

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Type 40 wpm

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CAD system

Interagency radio system

NCIC/CCIC

Records management system

Jail management system

Job description

VISION

El Paso County will be a trusted regional leader known for excellence in county service delivery.

PURPOSE

We provide essential public services to the Pikes Peak Region in support of our residents, businesses, and communities, enhancing the freedom for all to thrive.

VALUES

Service Focused

• Collaborative
• Accountable
• Trustworthy
• Transparent

Job Summary

Base pay for this position will be $62,798.00

The Sheriff’s Office provides public safety at all times and therefore every position is deemed essential. All positions are in-person and not eligible for remote work. Every position is also subject to recall based on the needs of the Office to keep the community safe.

This position has an anticipated work schedule of Day or Night Shift; 8- and 10-Hour Shifts covering a 24-hour operation, subject to change.

Please be advised this position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of applicants.

Receives and answers 911, emergent, and non-emergent telephone and text calls for multiple police, fire, and other agencies in El Paso County. Dispatches law enforcement agencies, fire departments, search and rescue, and medical units. Provides pre-arrival instructions on medical and fire calls. Performs data entry and retrieval within multiple computer systems; performs administrative duties as needed. Assists in all areas of the training program, including training personnel on the functions and duties of the Communications Center. Assigned to special projects and working groups as directed. Assumes shift supervisory duties in the Supervisor’s absence, as assigned. This position requires excellent decision-making with sound judgment and communication skills as well as the ability to multi-task while maintaining a high degree of emotional self-control in potentially stressful, negative, and sometimes aggressive situations.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Answers, evaluates, and prioritizes 911, emergent, and non-emergent telephone and text calls.
• Calms, negotiates, and interviews callers to obtain complete and accurate information to determine the urgency and need for emergency services.
• Prioritizes and documents information and ensures timely notification to the appropriate agency.
• Provides self-help and pre-arrival instructions to callers when appropriate using established protocols.
• Enters and monitors all calls for service and unit activities utilizing a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System for numerous law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and several individual County and municipal departments.
• Tracks the status and location of emergency responders and other field units. Maintains accurate and complete logs of records of communications; maintains handwritten notes in the event of a CAD failure.
• Dispatches law enforcement agencies, fire departments, search and rescue, and medical units using a digital 800 MHz radio system. Transmits and receives messages and information to and from emergency responders and other field units.
• Operates various paging and notification systems, monitors, and updates inter-agency emergency notification systems.
• Provides investigative support through data entry and retrieval in CAD, NCIC/CCIC, records management system, jail management system, and other resources. Conducts searches for warrants, driving status, vehicle registrations, and criminal history. Relays information to appropriate personnel.
• Enters, confirms, updates, and modifies data in NCIC/CCIC regarding warrants, missing people, stolen vehicles or guns, and other records.
• Operates and performs routine checks for telephone and radio recording systems; coordinates repairs to systems as needed.
• Provides excellent customer service to all citizens, emergency responders, and staff; maintains effective working relationships.
• Maintains confidentiality for citizens, emergency responders, and other employees.
• Provides on the job training and mentoring for new hires in the Communications Center as directed.
• Assists the Communications Center training program, including conducting scenarios and tests for all disciplines of dispatching and call taking. May provide training to other sections, departments, or outside agencies as needed.
• Demonstrates knowledge and adherence to established rules, policies, and procedures. Completes job-related training and continuing education as required, within allowable time limits.
• Provides courtroom testimony as required.
• Assigned to special projects and workings groups as directed. May participate in tabletop and full scales exercises as assigned.
• Assumes shift supervisory duties as assigned.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Successful completion of the Communications Center training program required.
• Must be honest, truthful, trustworthy, and possess a high degree of personal integrity.
• Knowledge of geographical locations within El Paso County and surrounding agencies.
• Ability to understand and utilize CAD, radio, telephone, and other computer systems while monitoring multiple computer screens.
• Ability to hear and speak clearly on a two-way, multi-channel radio system with multiple frequencies while hearing and recording a variety of radio voice transmissions.
• Ability to memorize, retain, and accurately recall information and codes while performing other tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate and understand citizens, emergency responders, and other team members effectively and professionally under times of extreme stress.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and balance multiple tasks at the same time while maintaining a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to adapt to constantly changing situations and effectively take appropriate action; exercise critical thinking, sound judgment, and decision making while obtaining information quickly and accurately.
• Ability to remain calm and efficient during times of heavy workload.
• Ability to effectively handle varying degrees of stress in a multitude of emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Ability to understand and execute complex verbal and written instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to type 40 words per minute accurately while receiving information relayed over the telephone and/or radio.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at a level adequate to perform the duties of the position.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education And Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent education.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must obtain and maintain Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Compliance within six months of employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid CPR Certification within thirty days of starting the Dispatch General Training Academy.
• Must possess and maintain NCIC/CCIC Certification within thirty days of starting the Dispatch General Training Academy.
• Must obtain a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Certification within thirty days of starting the Dispatch General Training Academy.
• Must possess and maintain an International Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification within thirty days of starting the Dispatch General Training Academy.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass pre-employment testing which includes a typing test for speed and accuracy.
• Must pass background investigation, motor vehicle record check, drug screen, hearing and vision test, and truth verification examination.

Work Conditions

Duties are performed onsite, in a potentially high stress emergency dispatch environment. Position requires shift work to ensure coverage for operations 24-hours per day 7-days per week; will be required to work days, evenings, and/or overnights depending on shift assignment. Will be expected to work weekends and holidays. Position is subject to on-call status, emergency call outs, and potential overtime. Prolonged periods of standing or sitting may be required.

El Paso County is an E-Verify and Equal Opportunity Employer.

El Paso County adheres to Federal drug screening guidelines and requires a pre-employment drug screen.