Emergency Dispatcher

About the role

The Emergency Dispatcher serves as a vital link between the public’s requests for assistance and emergency services response. This position provides dispatch services by receiving, analyzing, prioritizing, and processing calls for service (e.g., incidents) while maintaining radio contact with responders to ensure safe, efficient, and effective responses. The Dispatcher responds to requests for law enforcement, fire, and/or emergency medical services (EMS) in accordance with local, state, tribal, or national standards.

Responsibilities

• Operates multiple systems and interacts in simultaneous conversations using a high level of accuracy.
• Manages a sophisticated workstation comprised of multiple computer systems, Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) software and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), state and federal clearinghouses, call handling equipment, as well as communications systems such as radio dispatch consoles to dispatch calls for service to field units.
• Answers various telephone lines; ascertains incident information by obtaining and verifying caller information and location; determines the nature of the incident and all available data, including automated data, social media information, text message, images, or video; provides information to emergency services verbally and/or digitally.
• Maintains various logs and databases.
• Notifies key personnel of critical incidents; assesses and determines the need to contact other law enforcement and public safety agencies for additional information and resources, or to relay information regarding incidents and situational awareness.
• Uses available vehicular, bystander, and/or law enforcement information to identify the need for advanced resources or specialized equipment in order to assist with protecting the public at the scene and the on-scene responders.
• Documents thoroughly and accurately all incident activities while maintaining awareness of scene activities.
• Interprets and understands local and regional geography and identifies the correct location of the emergency quickly to improve response times of field responders.
• Prioritizes multiple events based on available resources and apply critical thinking to tasks.
• Communicates with other agencies and emergency response personnel.
• Makes outgoing telephone calls to ancillary services, such as tow truck operators, as requested by field units.
• Maintains good attendance to perform tasks as scheduled and assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

• Education: High School diploma or G.E.D.
• Experience: Two (2) years of experience in public contact or customer service. OR Combined Education And Experience Qualifications: Other combinations of post-secondary education and experience may substitute for the minimum qualifications on a year-for-year basis.
• Age: 18 or older at the time of application.
• Ability to type a minimum of 35 words per minute required as demonstrated during the pre-employment testing process.
• Within six (6) months of employment or assignment, you must train for, functionally test on, and affirm the proficiency of terminal operations to assure compliance with Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) CJIS policy and regulations and retest every two (2) years.
• To be considered for employment with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, successful candidates must not have a revoked or suspended driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with coworkers, supervisors, internal and external customers, and other public safety agencies.
• Provide courteous customer service and deal tactfully and empathetically with a demanding public.
• Adapt and function with minimal supervision in high-stress situations.
• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously and respond quickly and alertly.
• Be resilient and resourceful while coordinating high-risk, high-stress operations.
• Learn quickly and retain training material necessary to perform functions at a high level.
• Adhere to stringent policy and procedure requirements and maintain confidentiality with sensitive information.
• Compile and analyze operational data and prepare and maintain accurate records.

Skills

• Knowledge of Business practices and procedures include filing, indexing, and cross-referencing methods.
• Structure and content of the English language including spelling and grammar.
• Local geography and topography.
• Policies, procedures, processes, laws, ordinances, and regulations affect public safety call-taking and the ability to apply them appropriately.
• Operating computer systems with specialized software and entering data with speed and accuracy.
• Comprehending and recalling large volumes of information including names, numbers, and locations.
• Active listening and following instructions.
• Organizing and prioritizing work to meet deadlines and accomplish tasks.
• Using sound judgment and decision-making to quickly evaluate situations that may involve limited information.
• Applying logic, critical thinking, and reasoning to reach conclusions and solve problems.
• Reading and interpreting geographical spatial data and maps quickly and accurately.

Benefits

Compensation Is More Than a Salary With MCSO Growth and stability since 1871
Choice of three medical plans – starting as low as $70/month
Holidays – 10/year + 1 personal day
Enrollment in Arizona State Retirement System
Paid sick and parental leaves (birth/adoption)
10% discount at KinderCare facilities in the Valley and upcoming MCKids Club to serve County employees and their families exclusively
MCSO Mentoring program to provide personal and professional growth opportunities for all employees
Access to free County gyms
Learn more at Benefits Overview

Pay

Pay Range Min - Mid - Max $30.00 - $36.75 - $43.50

Schedule

New Sign-On Incentive of $1,500