Lead Emergency Communications Specialist (Promotional) Duluth

Stlouiscountymn; Duluth, Northern (MN, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Louis County in Minnesota seeks a skilled Emergency Communications Supervisor to oversee dispatchers in the 9-1-1 division, ensuring timely law enforcement, fire, medical and rescue responses.

You will monitor performance, assign consoles, and train staff to maintain high service standards. The role requires completion of Terminal Operations, CPR, and Emergency Medical Dispatch certifications within the first year and a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required with related dispatch experience.
• Must complete Terminal Operations, CPR, and EMD within one year of employment.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and supervise dispatchers within the 9-1-1 division.
• Operate CAD, multi-line telecommunication, and radio equipment to respond to emergencies.
• Provide training and answer operational questions from dispatchers.
• Assist with investigations regarding public safety service delivery.

Skills

Typing 40 wpm

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Terminal Operations certification

CPR certification

Emergency Medical Dispatch certification

Driver's license

Tools

CAD system

Multi-line telephone system

Radio communications equipment

Job description

Skilled technical work overseeing the activities of dispatchers and performing related telecommunications and computer aided dispatch (CAD) work. An employee in this class performs and oversees the delivery of law enforcement, fire, medical, and rescue related telecommunications dispatch work for a crew within the St. Louis County 9-1-1 Division. Duties include overseeing and monitoring the performance of an assigned crew; determining console assignments; answering operational and procedural questions from other dispatchers; providing training; assisting with investigations regarding complaints about public safety service delivery and operations; operating the CAD system, multi-line telecommunications, and radio communications equipment to receive and effectively respond to requests for emergency public safety assistance. The work is performed under the direction of assigned supervisory staff. These work environment factors are general in nature and may vary depending on the specific position being filled. Please use the following link to view the Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. (Local # 619) union contract.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Pass/Fail):

• Three (3) years as an Emergency Communications Specialist; OR possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent AND four (4) years of full-time paid verifiable experience as an emergency communications dispatcher; OR equivalent dispatch experience as determined by the Director of Human Resources and Administration; AND ability to type 40 w.p.m. with 90% accuracy.
• Successful completion of the State of Minnesota Terminal Operations certification, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification and Emergency Medical Dispatch certification within one year of employment. Failure to obtain the certifications prior to the completion of the probationary period will result in the termination from the position.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

RATING SYSTEMS:

Supplemental Questions will be 70% of the scoring process: Points will be awarded based on the applicants answers to supplemental questions 8-12. Experience beyond ten years may be included on the application for purposes of meeting minimum qualifications or informing the hiring authority of your complete employment history.

Please Note: When answering the supplemental questions on the website, the webpage may time out after 30 minutes. It is recommended you draft your answers in a separate document and copy/paste the answers into the application when you’re finished writing. Failure to answer and save all of the questions on the "Supplemental Questions" page within 30 minutes may result in the deletion of your answers by the application system.

Experience & Training Assessment will be 30% of the scoring process:

Points will be awarded for job-related experience and education exceeding the minimum qualifications. Please be thorough in listing your work experience in the Work Experience section of the application as this will be used to determine part of your score. Only experience occurring during the ten most recent years will be used in determining this assessment. Experience beyond ten years may be included on the application for purposes of meeting minimum qualifications or informing the hiring authority of your complete employment history.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT & SCREENING PROCESS SCHEDULE:

• September 25, 2026 - Applicant screening to begin
• Week of October 5, 2026 - Supplemental question scoring to be completed
• Week of October 5, 2026 - Experience & Training rating to be completed
• Week of October 26, 2026 - Interviews to be conducted

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The essential functions for this position are listed under the 'ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK' on the specification, available in the Human Resources Department or online at www.stlouiscountymn.gov/jobdescriptions.

VETERANS PREFERENCE:

• Veteran: DD214 noting character of service.
• Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months.
• Spouse of Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months & marriage certificate. (Eligible only if Veteran is unable to qualify because of the disability.)
• Spouse of Deceased Veteran: DD214, Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate.

Please refer to Minnesota Statue 197.455 for additional requirements. Click Here.

PHYSICAL-MEDICAL STANDARDS:

Qualified applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants selected must meet the physical requirements for the position.

BACKGROUND CHECK:

Applicants selected for appointment to a position with St. Louis County may be subject to a background investigation.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Appointees to the position must successfully complete a twelve-month probationary period prior to being certified for permanent employment.

NON-DISCRIMINATION:

St. Louis County is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer.