Public Safety Telecommunicator

Anoka County; Andover (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off & holidays

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Pension plan and retirement options

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

Anoka County is seeking a Public Safety Telecommunicator to respond to 911 calls and dispatch law enforcement, fire, or rescue units. This is a full-time, on-site position with a union contract and comprehensive benefits.

The role requires a high school diploma, ability to work a 24/7 shift rotation, and availability on weekends and nights. A pre-employment background check and fingerprinting are required.

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma.
• Ability to commit to a 24/7 shift rotation.
• Must be available on weekends and nights.
• Employment is contingent on successfully passing a pre-employment background check including fingerprinting.

Responsibilities

• Respond to 911 or other calls for emergency and non-emergency assistance and dispatching law enforcement, firefighting, or rescue units.
• Transmit and receive coded and conventional messages.
• Differentiate between routine, priority, and emergency messages, and initiate or follow through on responses as required.
• Communicate details of the situation and location.
• Gather and record information using a dispatch system. Monitor radio channels as assigned.
• Train new Public Safety Telecommunicators as needed.

Skills

Typing 35 wpm

24/7 shift commitment

Weekend/night availability

Pre-employment background check

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Multi-line telephone

Job description

Position Description

The Anoka County Emergency Communications- 911 mission is to promote the safety and well-being of citizens by providing efficient and professional 911 dispatch services for all emergency and non-emergency calls and to provide technical management of the County’s E-911 system and public safety radio system. The department has an immediate opening for Public Safety Telecommunicator who will perform various duties. Some of the critical responsibilities of this position include responding to 911 or other calls for emergency and non-emergency assistance and dispatching law enforcement, firefighting, or rescue units

This is a full-time, non-exempt, on-siteposition. Interviews will take place as applications are received for those selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Pay & Benefits

• Anoka County Salary Schedule Union Grade 1210. $65,374 - $93,641 ($31.43 to $45.02 per hour).
• 24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 paid holidays.
• Comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, flex benefits, and more at www.anokacountymn.gov/benefits.
• Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.
• Pension plan and other retirement investment options.
• Advancement/professionaldevelopment opportunities.

Work Location

• This position will work at Anoka County Emergency Communication Center, located at 13535 Hanson Blvd NW, Andover, MN 55304.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

These examples are not all-inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of the primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Public Safety Telecommunicator – 9-1-1 Emergency Communication.

• Respond to 911 or other calls for emergency and non-emergency assistance and in dispatching law enforcement, firefighting, or rescue units.
• Transmit and receive coded and conventional messages.
• Differentiate between routine, priority, and emergency messages, and initiate or follow through on responses as required.
• Communicate details of the situation and location.
• Gather and record information using a dispatch system. Monitor radio channels as assigned.
• Study procedure and code manuals.
• Verify and interpret domestic abuse and restraining orders kept on file, along with warrants, stolen items, and missing person files.
• Notify appropriate support agencies such as emergency social services, public works, parks, and transportation departments.
• Communicate with law, fire and EMS public safety partners daily.
• Communicate with emergency management employees for severe weather awareness.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Train new Public Safety Telecommunicators as needed.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Requires a high school diploma
• Ability to commit to a 24/7 shift rotation
• Must be available on weekends and nights
• Ability to work mandatory and short-notice overtime
• Type 35 words per minute (wpm)
• Employment is contingent on successfully passing a pre-employment psychological assessment and a thorough background check including fingerprinting.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Previous paid dispatching experience.
• Successful completion of a 9-1-1 certificate program
• Paid job-related experience using a multi-line telephone.
• Previous job-related public safety radio communication experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Experience in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment
• Must be able to report to duty in any weather or other emergency situation as scheduled or required by the supervisor
• Ability to adapt to technology changes

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

• Emergency call center environment with periods of high stress and multi-tasking during emergency situations
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as to work on computers. Ability to see colors, shades, and brightness
• Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals, and machine sounds
• Assignments are sedentary, occasionally alternating between sitting, twisting, standing, walking, crouching, and kneeling as required to perform job responsibilities
• Frequent wrist and finger manipulation to complete computer work
• Occasional lifting of 10-20 lbs
• Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment in addition to Emergency Dispatch equipment depending on the assignment
• Emergency Dispatch equipment may include but is not limited to Computer Aided Dispatch Applications (CAD), 911 systems, a variety of alarms and monitors, headsets, and two-way radios
• Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions
• The content and nature of many calls is traumatic and disturbing, which may cause psychological distress
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions

Union Representation

This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between Anoka County and the Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS).

Selection Process

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.

Pre-employment Requirements

Anoka County has determined that successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen and DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks may be necessary for certain positions. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to obtain to conduct such screenings and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

About Anoka County

As the fourth largest county in Minnesota, we depend on the diversity, dedication, determination, and innovation of our employees. We offer a wide range of career opportunities for people with a variety of personalities, abilities, knowledge, and life experiences who can come together for the single purpose of serving Anoka County’s 369,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative, and fiscally responsible manner. If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County! Hear from other Anoka County employees here.

If you require accommodations or have any other questions regarding this job posting, please call the Anoka County Human Resources Department at 763-324-4300 and reference the posting title and number. If you have questions about the hiring process, please visit: https://www.anokacountymn.gov/4411/Application-Process

Anoka County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy: https://www.anokacounty.us/401/Diversity-EEO