Dispatcher

Salary: $22.70 – $24.49 Hourly

Position Summary:

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.

Essential Functions:

-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.

Requirements:

• 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.
• 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.
• Must possess valid driver’s license or be able to provide suitable transportation as approved by the department head.
• Must possess valid driver’s license or be able to provide suitable transportation as approved by the department head.
• Must pass a background investigation related to access to criminal records and performing the duties of a communication dispatcher prior to hire.
• Must pass medical exam for the occupational group prior to hire.