Communications Officer - 911 Dispatcher (Sheriff's Office)

About the role

The Walworth County Sheriff's Office is seeking applications for Communications Officer positions. Hiring preferences will be given to candidates with prior experience in a medium-to-large multi-jurisdictional and multi-disciplined public safety communications center. Candidates without prior experience will be considered for training programs.

Responsibilities

• Answer emergency and non-emergency requests for assistance by telephone and radio and assign the appropriate resource for assistance.
• Provide lifesaving medical assistance to emergency callers by giving pre-arrival 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 non-emergency 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, driver's 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.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required prior to date of hire. Prior experience in public safety or customer service preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required prior to date of hire.
• Prior experience in public safety or customer service preferred.

Skills

Ability to work at times under highly stressful circumstances, while remaining articulate in verbal and written communication, and able to work in a fast-paced 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 long-term 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 hand-eye coordination sufficient to operate and view multiple monitors, keyboards, and complex communications equipment in rapid succession or simultaneously.

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 (pro-rated for new hires) available after 14 days of employment with supervisor approval.
• Health, dental, vision, life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance plans.
• Wisconsin Retirement pension with optional 457 Deferred Compensation plan.
• Educational Assistance program.
• On-site fitness room.

Pay

Salary $28.36 - $37.28 Hourly

Schedule

The Communications Center is a 24/7, 365-day operation that requires shift work, including nights and weekends on a regular basis. You will also be expected to work holidays such as the Fourth 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 workday is 8.25 hours; however, some overtime is required to cover shifts, with the amount varying based on staffing levels.