Dispatcher

Salary: $26.57- $35.07/hour

Position Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Sergeant, the Dispatcher is responsible to coordinate incoming 911 communications and other activities to support public safety personnel in the interest of public safety. The position receives 911 emergency and non-emergency calls for service requiring the incumbent to have the ability to remain calm in an atmosphere of changing priorities and periods of high stress. This position also dispatches, monitors, and responds to public safety personnel, operates computer aided dispatch (CAD) and records management system (RMS), operates the State Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) radio system, operates emergency paging software, operates a Mobile Data Computer system, trains new personnel, operates computerized mapping systems, operates internal and external security systems and alarms. Perform other duties as apparent or assigned.

The incumbent exemplifies the characteristics of a collaborative, innovative and resilient work culture and models the appropriate behavior to create and maintain a resilient work culture within the department. The incumbent works in partnership with other employees, departments/divisions, agencies and the public in delivering effective and innovative services.

Essential Functions:

1. Receives 911, emergency, non-emergency calls for service including text calls to 911 and Crisis Hotline. Performs multiple tasks simultaneously within critical time constraints and under pressure of emergency conditions. Responds to requests for service requiring law enforcement, medical, fire, and/or rescue response as per established policies. Refers callers to mental health resources as required. Utilizes interrogation/interview skills to gather and evaluate relevant information from all available sources to establish dispatch priority as per standard operating procedure manual. Provides public service information including weather/road conditions and makes referrals to other public/governmental agencies as appropriate.
2. Dispatches appropriate personnel from fire, law enforcement, and ambulance services. Assigns units to calls. Monitors and operates multiple ARMER radio talk groups and conventional radio channels. Receives and processes officer requests for various services. Continually updates responding units regarding status, location, and pertinent information throughout the duration of the incident. Uses various paging formats on the radio console to page emergency responders. Activates evening pager tests for various personnel and agencies in Waseca County.
3. Operates multiple 9-1-1 computerized mapping systems. Assists responding units to scene, monitors location of law enforcement vehicles, ambulances, and local fire departments. Completes error forms to maintain accuracy and manually query the system.
4. Operates Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System. Creates and enters necessary complainant and location information into Incident Crime Report (ICR) for each responding agency. Keeps a log of radio traffic/telephone traffic. Enters and removes warrants from local CAD/Records Management System and looks up previous incidents.
5. Enters, modifies, cancels, and queries persons, vehicles, guns, etc. through the local, state, and national computer systems (NCIC and MINCIS). Queries and interprets criminal histories. Disseminates notices for wanted persons, stolen or suspect vehicles, vehicle registrations, stolen property, criminal record checks, runaways or missing persons and other information. Queries other agencies, enters, cancels and monitors Keep Our Police Safe (KOPS) alerts. Maintains required state/federal certification.
6. Serves as the county “warning point” for Emergency Management, coordinates communication utilizing various systems. Operates and activates Code Red high-speed community notification system and the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) for emergency and non-emergency situations. Sends out pages to various personnel and agencies along with the community when imminent danger or in an emergency that may affect the public’s health, safety, or welfare. Activates evening pager tests for various personnel and agencies in Waseca County. Utilizes software for internal paging of personnel.
7. Operates Computerized Mobile Data Computer. Sends special announcements to responders, sends calls, general voice notifications, pager text and email notifications for service information to responders. Communicates with officers, queries driver’s licenses, license plates, etc. and assists troubleshooting computer system problems.
8. Trains new personnel. Provides basic orientation of all job tasks. Instructs trainee how to utilize various computer programs and radio equipment. Instructs protocol to handle a broad spectrum of situations. Maintains and updates the training manual. Monitors training progress and works with trainees to enable the person to multi-task and prioritize tasks. Ensures supervisory staff is aware of progress.
9. Operates internal and external security systems and alarms. Monitors various camera systems and monitors emergency man-down system. Controls door locks, gates, garage doors and monitors duress alarms throughout the Sheriff’s Security building which includes the County Jail. Controls Key distribution, answers all lobby calls and visitor logging, etc.
10. Female staff performs matron duties for female offenders and inmates. Frisks for contraband, drugs, weapons, and conducts urine tests as needed.
11. Provide caller with instructions for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) over the phone when needed.
12. Performs light housekeeping duties

Requirements:

1. High school diploma or GED
2. 1 year of experience in emergency response, crisis hotline or a service-oriented role interacting with people.
3. Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to drive in the state of Minnesota.
4. Ability to travel within Minnesota, including extended overnight stays.
5. Ability to travel in your daily work assignment.
6. Must successfully complete a background check.
7. Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
8. Performs physical/mental demands of the work environment requirements for this position.
9. Must successfully achieve the core competencies and required knowledge skills and abilities for the position.
10. Adherence to data practices policies and standards concerning non-public information is mandatory. Access to non-public data must be restricted solely to the necessary information required to fulfill employment responsibilities. While accessing the data, individuals must take reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorized access by those without a legitimate work-related purpose. Upon completion of the work-related necessity for accessing the data, proper storage in accordance with county policies and Minnesota Statutes is mandatory.

Preferred Requirements:

1. Emergency 911 dispatching experience
2. Experience with computer aided dispatch system
3. MNJIS/NCIC terminal operator certification
4. Ability to converse in a second language
5. Experience in Microsoft Office
6. Post-Secondary Degree/Certificate