Public Safety Telecommunicator - Part-Time

COUNTY OF TODD; Long Prairie (MN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Todd in Long Prairie, MN is seeking a dispatcher to provide skilled communications between the public, law enforcement, and emergency services. The role involves receiving requests, obtaining information, and directing units for police, fire, and medical responses.

Preferred candidates will have strong communication skills, ability to work under pressure, and experience with emergency dispatch software.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or GED and ability to pass a background check.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Experience with emergency services dispatch is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receive requests for routine law enforcement service from the public and agencies.
• Use certified skills to obtain information and provide instructions to callers.
• Assign calls to law enforcement, fire, and ambulance units.
• Receive 911 calls and texts and properly direct responses.
• Maintain radio/telephone logs and operate dispatch equipment.

Skills

Strong communication

Teamwork

Stress management

Judgment under pressure

Verbal communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Dispatch software

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Todd County - Long Prairie, MN 56347

Salary Range: $26.36 - $34.81 HourlyThis posting will remain open until filled.

Purpose of Position

The purpose of this position is to provide skilled communication by receiving requests and transmitting information to emergency and non-emergency agencies within the County. This position is responsible to maintain efficient communications between the public, law enforcement and other public service agencies.

Basic Performance Expectations of all Todd County Staff

• Serves as a positive example to other County personnel with regard to workplace actions, decisions, work skills, attitude and adherence to workplace policy and procedures.
• Has strong communication and interpersonal skills, is honest, fair and dependable.
• Embodies teamwork and cooperation within and across County departments and with the public.
• Communicates effectively with the Department Head and keeps supervisor apprised of important matters ongoing in the department.
• Respect all colleagues, co-workers, board members and the public and lead those around you to do the same.
• This position requires regular and timely attendance in accordance with the department schedule.
• Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Position Specific Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Receive requests for routine law enforcement service from the public and other agencies and departments.
• Use EMD/FSD/LED certified skills to obtain information and provide verbal instruction to the caller.
• Assign calls to various county and city law enforcement units, fire departments and ambulance services.
• Receive Emergency 911 calls and texts for service and properly assign and direct the appropriate responding units.
• Properly maintain radio contact with law enforcement and emergency service units that are in service.
• Coordinate the proper responding units to a given incident (backup units, emergency services, etc.).
• Properly obtain information from those requesting services for use by the responding units and entry into the sheriff’s department databases.
• Complete proper computerized entries for “Hot Files”, CJIS entries (crimes, arrests, jail information, etc.), warrants, harassment and protection orders, etc.
• Query “Hot Files”, CJIS, and other systems for requested information from authorized officials.
• Maintain a radio and telephone log of all activities occurring on shift.
• Operate various dispatch equipment and software applications (telephone, radio, 911 system, Computer Aided Dispatch System, numerous state supported software applications) to access data and process requests for service.
• Maintain security in the Dispatch Center and monitor campus security cameras and facility intercoms.
• Maintain the cleanliness of the Dispatch Center.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience/Special Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Must pass a background check
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license or access to transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous emergency services background.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Maintain certification in Emergency Medical Dispatch, Fire Service Dispatch, Law Enforcement Dispatch, as well as Telecommunication CPR.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, possess computer skills with experience in Windows based software, telecommunications devices, radio communications and have the ability to favorably interact with the public, inmates, fellow employees and supervisors.
• Ability to function and make important decisions under stressful situations.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing with the subordinates, supervisor, other personnel, law enforcement, fire and emergency services related staff and courthouse personnel.
• Ability to identify issues of 911 callers in various life and death situations, emergency and other high stress level situations and dispatch correct law enforcement and emergency personnel.
• Ability to utilize a variety of reference, descriptive and/or advisory data and information such as county emergency operations plan, medical emergency manual and related information, technical operating manuals, statutes, manuals, procedures, guidelines and non-routine correspondence.
• Ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages and decimals.
• Ability to apply principals of rational systems.
• Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment to meet variations in assigned objectives.
• Ability to exercise judgment decisiveness and creativity in situations involving duties that may be subject to change.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).