911 Dispatcher - Douglas County

Dispatchers receive emergency and routine calls, and dispatch police, fire, and other public safety and service personnel and equipment in a coordinated manner, using a computer-assisted information and telecommunications system.

Entry-level employees in this class receive classroom and on-the-job training and learn to operate a variety of telecommunications and other equipment. Employees learn to receive and transfer calls, monitor traffic and units, transmit and receive information necessary to dispatch public safety and public service personnel and equipment and provide emergency instructions within established guidelines and specified protocols after becoming certified.

The Communication Dispatcher operates a variety of telecommunications and other equipment to receive and transfer calls, monitor traffic of field units, and transmit and receive information necessary to dispatch public safety and public service personnel and equipment. Within departmental guidelines and established protocols, incumbents provide medical emergency instructions after becoming certified.  The work involves handling emergency situations with considerable independent judgment, where an error may have extreme consequences, and where the incumbent must possess the ability to function accurately and efficiently under stress.  Incumbents must learn and use operating procedures, telecommunications equipment, and protocols and become thoroughly familiar with street locations, jurisdictional boundaries, and the City of Superior and Douglas County geography. Incumbents will be provided training and must be certified as emergency medical dispatchers within the first year of employment.  Incumbents work a shift schedule involving night, weekend, and holiday work in a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation.

Douglas County offers a competitive benefits package including, but not limited, to:

• Annual wage increase based on eligibility
• Paid, on-the-job training and advancement opportunities
• 85% county contribution to health and dental premiums
• Health Saving Account (HSA) available to all employees enrolled in the county's medical plan, with annual contributions provided by the employer and the health plan
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)- One of the leading retirement systems in the nation- Contributions are paid according to current year rates set by Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds (refer to www.etf.wi.gov for further detail)   
• County paid life insurance policy with coverage equivalent to annual salary (affordable Supplemental, Additional, and Spousal/Dependent life insurance available at employee’s expense)
• Competitive paid time off including vacation, sick time, personal days and holidays
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer

Example of Dispatcher Duties: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=497uMOa8oq0

-Operate a variety of telecommunications equipment, including transceivers, radio consoles, telephones, teletype, and computer systems.
-Answer emergency and non-emergency calls, ask appropriate questions to assess and prioritize calls for assistance.
-Read and interpret maps to pinpoint emergency areas, give precise directions to public safety personnel.
-Dispatch and coordinate responses of public safety agencies.
-Provide pre-arrival instructions for emergency medical calls.
-Use critical thinking skills to interpret, analyze, and anticipate a situation to resolve problems and provide information.
-Maintain detailed records and data pertaining to dispatch activities.
-Participate in training and perform other duties as directed by supervisor.  

This position may report to Hawthorne, Wisconsin on a rotating shift. ***A mandatory entry-level audio-keyboarding exam will be administered virtually via web link. Passing the exam is required for candidates to move forward in the hiring process. Notification of date(s) and time(s) will be sent to qualifying applicants to self-schedule via e-mail. Candidates who pass the audio-keyboarding exam will be invited to a structured interview.***

High School Diploma or GED certification required.  One year of full-time experience dispatching two or more types of public safety agencies (e.g., police and fire) OR eighteen months of full-time experience dispatching one type of public safety agency (e.g., police or fire) preferred, but not required.Exam Requirement:  Ability to pass mandatory entry-level exam is required (no study materials necessary).  
Certification Requirement: Must possess emergency medical dispatcher within one year of hire and time system certification within 6 months of hire and maintain certifications for continuation of employment.  Once certified employees must obtain 24 hours training every two years to retain certification.
Transportation Requirement:  Must possess valid driver's license or be able to provide suitable transportation as approved by the department head.
Residency Requirement: Forty-five minute commute distance from the Government Center within six months of hire date.
Background Investigation Requirement: Must pass a background investigation related to access to criminal records and performing the duties of a communication dispatcher prior to hire.
Post Job Offer Medical Exam Requirement: Must pass medical exam for the occupational group prior to hire.

Douglas County is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer.