Emergency Telecommunicator

St. Croix County; Hudson (WI); On-site; USD 37,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Croix County is seeking a skilled Emergency Communications Dispatcher to assist the public in dispatching Police, Fire, or EMS from the Emergency Communication Center. You will use CAD to locate incidents, coordinate units, and relay critical information to responders.

Required are a high school diploma and multiple dispatch-related certifications; excellent communication, data entry, and stress management are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Ability to testify in court.
• Knowledge of GPS/GIS data related to county landmarks, roads, and businesses.
• Proficiency with office software and a multi-line telephone system.
• Accurate typing and data entry.

Responsibilities

• Receive emergency calls and dispatch units using CAD.
• Maintain contact with on-duty units and monitor radio frequencies.
• Provide Basic Life Support instructions following NAED.
• Operate emergency communications van when activated.
• Manage mass notification and weather alerts.
• Process residential, commercial alarms and other requests.
• Program radios and maintain CAD, 911, radio consoles and phone systems.
• Answer information requests about laws and locations in the County.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

English fluency

Data entry

GPS/GIS knowledge

Public safety radio systems

Telephone systems

Court testimony

Education

High school diploma/equivalent

TIME System Certification I

TIME System Certification Advanced

Emergency Medical Dispatching

ICS 100, 200, 700

IPAWS

CPR

Tools

CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch)

Public safety radios

9-1-1 lines

Radio dispatch consoles

Government Center phone system

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

This position provides assistance to the public in dispatching Police, Fire, or Emergency Medical Services; and to provide responsive, courteous and efficient service to County residents and the general public in the Emergency Communication Center.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Using a computer aided dispatch system, receive emergency calls for service from the public requesting police, fire, emergency medical or other service; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priorities, and dispatch necessary emergency units in accordance with established procedures. Transmit and receive messages to and from user agencies via public safety radios, 9-1-1 emergency telephone lines, data terminals and other communications equipment.
• Maintain contact with all units on duty; maintain status and location of police and fire units; answer non-emergency calls for assistance; inquire, enter, update, interpret, verify, receive and disseminate information from national, state, and local law enforcement computer networks as requested by user agencies for missing persons, stolen property and restraining orders; monitor several complex public safety radio frequencies; effectively operate the public safety communications system, radio dispatch consoles, and other associated equipment.
• Maintain contact with callers when required. Provide Basic life support instructions following the National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch (NAED). Provide scene safety instructions to callers who are involved in high risk situations until first responders or law enforcement officers are on scene.
• Staffs and operates emergency communications van when activated to stage for critical incidents.
• Sets off mass notification (sirens) for Severe Weather, notifying Emergency Management in the event of disasters, maintain communication with National Weather Service.
• Processes residential, commercial burglary, panic, hold up and fire alarms.
• Programs cellphone, mobile, portable and base radios to specific functions and frequencies; maintains Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), 911, radio console and Government Center phone system as needed
• Answers telephone calls and requests for information from the public on laws, ordinances and various locations in the County.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to provide effective and credible testimony in a court of law.
• Ability to use GPS and GIS data related to county landmarks, roads, and businesses.
• Knowledge of County policies, procedures, practices, and local government organization and departmental operations.
• Knowledge of modern and standard office practices, procedures, equipment, software, and office assistance techniques, including the use of multi-line telephone system.
• Ability to type accurately at a reasonable rate of speed and operate standard office equipment, perform word processing, and conduct data entry.
• Ability to analyze information and prepare accurate organizational or functional reports.
• Ability to maintain accurate, legible notes and perform detailed work independently, accurately, and within stringent time limits.
• Ability to prioritize duties, manage a high volume of work, and adapt to frequent changes in priority.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with legal system agencies, law enforcement, interdepartmental staff, media, attorneys, victims, witnesses, families, and the general public.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing, with a wide range of individuals and groups, including the public, colleagues, and supervisors.
• Ability to read County policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; SDS sheets, safety manuals, maps, etc.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to perform mathematical calculations.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to understand, interpret, and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions, policies, procedures, correspondence, and applicable Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Ability to define problems, analyze facts, exercise sound judgment, and develop effective solutions when dealing with a variety of situations.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate, detailed, and concise records and reports.
• Ability to work accurately with strong attention to detail, organization, and time-management skills to meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality regarding business-related files, reports, conversations, and information in compliance with open records laws and applicable statutes.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt effectively in stressful or rapidly changing situations.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee s supervisor.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, using hands to handle, feel, and perform fine motor skills and repetitive motions, and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms overhead or below the waist.
• Sufficient vision to perform tasks such as reading documents, operating vehicles, or working with detailed data.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels for tasks such as communicating with the public, colleagues, or over the phone.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work has no exposure to environmental conditions.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is primarily in an office setting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma/equivalent
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in dispatching OR in a customer service position demonstrating extensive telephone or personal contact with the public.
• The following certifications must be completed within one year of employment:
  • TIME System Certification I
  • TIME System Certification Advanced
  • Emergency Medical Dispatching
  • ICS 100, 200, 700
  • IPAWS
  • CPR

Starting pay is determined within the expected hiring range based on qualifications, directly related experience, and internal equity. Employees may advance through the full salary range in accordance with County policy.

Expected Hiring Range

$26.57 - $30.07/hour

Full Salary Range

$26.57 - 37.03/hour

Department

Sheriff's Office - Emergency Support Services

FTE

1.0

St. Croix County is anequal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to an individual's race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.