Emergency Telecommunicator

Grand Traverse County; United States; On-site; USD 29,106 - 41,454; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Generous vacation days

Retirement plan with match

Life insurance

Job summary

Grand Traverse County is seeking a Central Dispatch Operator responsible for taking calls and dispatching emergency and non-emergency units. The role involves providing emergency medical instructions, operating 24/7, and may require irregular hours.

The ideal candidate should have a High School Diploma, be able to pass NENA standards, and possess strong communication and analytical skills. This position offers a starting hourly rate of $25.61 USD and various benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and tuition reimbursement.

Qualifications

• Must be able to pass the NENA Hearing Standards for Public Safety Telecommunicators.
• Less than 3 months related experience.
• Able to work 24-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Take emergency and non-emergency requests for assistance.
• Provide emergency medical instructions via communication equipment.
• Maintain contact with responding units for information.

Skills

Proficiency in English grammar, spelling, punctuation

Interpersonal skills

Ability to remain calm in stressful situations

Skill in operating modern office equipment and PC software

Analytical thinking

Education

High School Diploma or G.E.D.

Tools

PC Software

Job description

Grand Traverse County is seeking a Central Dispatch Operator. The primary function of this position is to take calls and dispatch emergency and non‑emergency units and personnel, as well as provide emergency medical instructions to callers. Work requires interpretation, analysis, and anticipation of effect to resolve problems. The role operates 24 hours a day, may require irregular hours and on‑call service.

Responsibilities

• Takes emergency and non-emergency requests for assistance, dispatches appropriate units, and maintains contact with responding units to gather and supply information.
• Provides emergency medical instructions via communication equipment in a verbatim, prescribed format.
• Monitors police traffic, interacts with citizens and suspects, and assists in the safety of personnel, gathering and reporting information.
• Tracks arrests, prepares related paperwork, and enters data into applicable database(s).
• Answers routine questions for emergency service staff and dispatches orders for commanders.
• Receives and processes time-sensitive data, sorts, files, and maintains records.
• Obtains critical data from various sources for warrants and enters LEIN and local database.
• May perform other support staff functions as requested.

Education, Formal Training, and Experience (Minimum Requirements)

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. supplemented by advanced college coursework in data processing or a related field.
• Less than 3 months related experience.

Certifications, Licenses

• Must be able to pass the NENA (National Emergency Number Association) Hearing Standards for Public Safety Telecommunicators (Document 54-002, dated June102006).

Conditions of Employment

• Background check required initially and may be required periodically; includes identity verification, criminal history review, education, DMV records, DOJ fingerprint scan, and drug/alcohol testing as required by law.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Other Requirements

• Performed in an office environment; may be required to reach with hands and arms, sit, stand, talk, and hear.
• May need to lift or move up to 50pounds.
• Must be able to work all shifts, weekends, and holidays for the 24‑hour operation and may be required to work mandatory overtime and on‑call.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Competencies (Minimum Requirements)

• Proficiency in English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and basic math functions.
• Knowledge of department or function and general county operations.
• Ability to detect errors, determine causes, and make corrections.
• Skill in operating modern office equipment and PC software, including advanced spreadsheets and word processing.
• Interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships with customers, colleagues, and agencies.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and manipulate calls to obtain essential information.
• Ability to comprehend, process, and apply verbal and written information.
• Skilled in researching and resolving complex problems.
• Consistent demonstration of sound ethics and judgment.
• Ability to think analytically, apply sound judgment, solve problems, and act with integrity.
• Maintain confidentiality of information and professional boundaries.
• Use county resources efficiently.

Compensation

Starting hourly rate: $25.61 USD.

Benefits

• Medical: High-deductible plan through Priority Health with up to $2,000 HSAs per year; direct deposit available.
• Vision: No-cost plan; enhanced option through EyeMed.
• Dental: Delta Dental with no premiums for diagnostics/cleaning.
• Wellness: Incentives and programs for healthy lifestyle.
• Employee Recognition: Awards and recognition at anniversaries.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 per year for courses at accredited institutions.
• Vacation: Generous vacation days; floating holidays available.
• Holidays: 12 days per year plus optional floating holidays.
• Personal Leave: Up to 72 hours annually; unused up to 40 hours paid out.
• Parental Leave: Up to 6 months for birth/ adoption.
• Retirement: Defined contribution through MERS with generous match after 6 years; optional 457(b) and Roth plans with matching.
• Life Insurance: Automatically provided.
• Short-Term Disability: 2/3 salary up to 182 days.
• Long-Term Disability: 60% salary up to 24 months.