Communications Officer - 911 Dispatcher Sheriffs Office
Communications Officer - 911 Dispatcher Sheriffs Office
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Job Description
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Position Summary
Walworth County Sheriffs Office is seeking applications for our Communications Officer positions. Hiring preference will be given to candidates that possess prior experience in a medium to large multijurisdictional and multidiscipline public safety communications center. Candidates without prior experience will be considered as openings in our training program will accommodate such hires.
Communications Officers (aka 911 Dispatchers / Telecommunicators) are nonsworn civilian professionals who work within Walworth County Sheriffs Office as key members of the public safety team. Our Communications Officers are a dynamic team working in a fastpaced environment where success is defined by public and responder safety. If youre passionate about public safety and helping those in need we need dedicated professionals to join our team and make an impact on our community. Successful candidates for this position are dedicated to the service and wellbeing of the community and its citizens.
The work of the Communications Officer is often interesting exciting and can be very rewarding. With the good there are also aspects of this job that are not for everyone. Callers may be hysterical intoxicated irrational confused or nearly impossible to understand. Some may be suicidal while others may be screaming or directing obscene language at you. Calls can involve violent crimes which are in progress and you may have to make quick decisions while one or more persons safety may be at stake. The work environment can be rapid paced and high stressed lacks consistency and my be outside of your span of control. Employees may be subjected to harsh criticism.
Schedule
The Communications Center is a 24/7 365day operation that requires shift work including nights and weekends on a regular basis. You will also be expected to work holidays such as the Forth of July Thanksgiving Christmas and New Years. Communications Officers are scheduled to work one of three shifts (first second or thirds). As a new Communications Officer you will likely be assigned to second or third shift. You will work a rotating schedule of 5 days on 2 days off 5 days on 3 days off. The average work day is 8.25 hours however some overtime is required in order to cover shifts with the amount varying based on staffing levels. This overtime can be required before or after a shift sometimes with little or no notice. Employees have limited choice(s) about which shift they are assigned to work as well as which days they work. During the onthejob training employees will be assigned a designated period to work on all shifts.
Benefits- Advanced starting pay considerations for candidates with prior experience.
- Scheduled Time Off (Vacation) accrual starts on the first day of employment with time available to use with no waiting period. Use is subject to supervisor approval.
- Personal Time Off 64 hours per calendar year (prorated for new hires) available after 14 days of employment with supervisor approval.
- Health dental vision life shortterm and longterm disability insurance plans.
- Wisconsin Retirement pension with optional 457 Deferred Compensation plan.
- Educational Assistance program.
- Onsite fitness room.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Answer emergency and nonemergency requests for assistance by telephone and radio and assign the appropriate resource for assistance.
Provide lifesaving medical assistance to emergency callers by giving prearrival instructions through Emergency Medical Dispatch program.
Prioritize calls to be dispatched deciding which is most serious.
Dispatch emergency and other calls requiring police fire and/or EMS response according to priority and available field units via a radio console or other electronic means of communications.
Maintain strict radio discipline at all times.
Operate the Computer Aided Dispatch system including maintaining a record of location of personnel and equipment.
Provide essential information and support to field units in emergency and nonemergency situations.
Maintain consistent contact with patrol officers in the field and remain alert for potential problems or threats to personnel safety.
Gather and process critical information through state and national databases via teletype internet and other databases.
Disseminate motor vehicle drivers license and criminal record information to authorized personnel in accordance with Department policy.
Provide lifesaving notifications to the public via weather alerting systems such as the county outdoor warning siren system.
Make referrals to appropriate County Departments and outside agencies as required e.g. other police agencies support agencies utility companies towing companies highway/street departments etc.
Answer administrative telephone lines and provide assistance to the caller or transfer to appropriate agency personnel or division.
Enter or cancel warrants/commitments in the Crime Information Bureau files via the computer terminal.
Essential Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Ability to work at times under highly stressful circumstances while remaining articulate in verbal and written communication and able to work in a fastpaced environment.
Ability to function in a sustained stress environment with the ability to interpret and prioritize incoming and outgoing information by radio phone verbal or written communication.
Ability to perform several functions in rapid succession or at the same time.
Ability to monitor several conversations at the same time and retain key information relative to the conversations on a short and longterm basis.
Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with staff members and public officials and ability to deal with the public in a courteous and professional manner.
Ability to read maps and give accurate direction to staff members and the public. Geographic knowledge of Walworth County and its surrounding areas.
Ability to communicate effectively with the public citizens and employees on matters requiring discretion and knowledge.
Ability to accept responsibility make decisions and effectively prioritize work requiring independent judgment with speed and accuracy learning interpreting and applying organizational policies laws rules and regulations.
Ability to research and obtain pertinent information through various resources.
Considerable ability and proficiency with computer equipment to process access retrieve or input information using word processing and other standardized software common to the work unit or as assigned.
Excellent handeye coordination sufficient to operate and view multiple monitors keyboards and complex communications equipment in rapid succession or simultaneously.Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent required prior to date of hire. Prior experience in public safety or customer service preferred.
Training and Certifications
We will provide you with the training required for you to become a successful Communications Officer. Training is included but not limited to your initial onthejob training. Wisconsin TIME System Certification Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification and Public Safety Telecommunicator. You must successfully complete these training requirements to maintain employment as a Communications Officer with Walworth County but we will support you in achieving these. Other training may be provided as required. During onthejob training employees will receive a daily rating of their job performance which may include criticism and performance based feedback.Selection Process
Complete Walworth County Electronic Application Education and Employment History Review Oral Department Interview Prepsychological Law Enforcement Suitability Testing Background Investigation Final Interview/Meeting with the Sheriff and/or Undersheriff Post Offer Psychological Evaluation Physical Examination and Drug Screen. Other job related tests may be required. To learn more about this position please contact: Communications Operations Manager Kathy Churchill ator via email at or Human Resources Generalist Lisa Pohl ator via email at
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
