Emergency Services Dispatcher

About the role

The Sheriff’s Office provides public safety at all times and therefore every position is deemed essential. This position has an anticipated work schedule of Day or Night Shift; 8- and 10-Hour Shifts covering a 24-hour operation, subject to change.

Responsibilities

• Answers, evaluates, and prioritizes 911, emergent, and non-emergent telephone and text calls.
• Evaluates and prioritizes 911, emergent, and non-emergent telephone and text calls.
• Calms, negotiates, and interviews callers to obtain complete and accurate information to determine the urgency and need for emergency services.
• Prioritizes and documents information and ensures timely notification to the appropriate agency.
• Provides self-help and pre-arrival instructions to callers when appropriate using established protocols.
• Enters and monitors all calls for service and unit activities utilizing a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System for numerous law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and several individual County and municipal departments.
• Tracks the status and location of emergency responders and other field units.
• Maintains accurate and complete logs of records of communications; maintains handwritten notes in the event of a CAD failure.
• Dispatches law enforcement agencies, fire departments, search and rescue, and medical units using a digital 800 MHz radio system.
• Transmits and receives messages and information to and from emergency responders and other field units.
• Operates and performs routine checks for telephone and radio recording systems; coordinates repairs to systems as needed.
• Provides excellent customer service to all citizens, emergency responders, and staff; maintains effective working relationships.
• Maintains confidentiality for citizens, emergency responders, and other employees.
• Provides on the job training and mentoring for new hires in the Communications Center as directed.
• Assists the Communications Center training program, including conducting scenarios and tests for all disciplines of dispatching and call taking.
• May provide training to other sections, departments, or outside agencies as needed.
• Demonstrates knowledge and adherence to established rules, policies, and procedures.
• Completes job-related training and continuing education as required, within allowable time limits.
• Provides courtroom testimony as required.
• Assumes shift supervisory duties as assigned.
• Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

• Successful completion of the Communications Center training program required.
• Must be honest, truthful, trustworthy, and possess a high degree of personal integrity.
• Knowledge of geographical locations within El Paso County and surrounding agencies.
• Ability to understand and utilize CAD, radio, telephone, and other computer systems while monitoring multiple computer screens.
• Ability to hear and speak clearly on a two-way, multi-channel radio system with multiple frequencies while hearing and recording a variety of radio voice transmissions.
• Ability to memorize, retain, and accurately recall information and codes while performing other tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate and understand citizens, emergency responders, and other team members effectively and professionally under times of extreme stress.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and balance multiple tasks at the same time while maintaining a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to adapt to constantly changing situations and effectively take appropriate action; exercise critical thinking, sound judgment, and decision making while obtaining information quickly and accurately.
• Ability to remain calm and efficient during times of heavy workload.
• Ability to effectively handle varying degrees of stress in a multitude of emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Ability to understand and execute complex verbal and written instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to type 40 words per minute accurately while receiving information relayed over the telephone and/or radio.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent education.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must obtain and maintain Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Compliance within six months of employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid CPR Certification within thirty days of starting the Dispatch General Training Academy.
• Must possess and maintain NCIC/CCIC Certification within thirty days of starting the Dispatch General Training Academy.
• Must obtain a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Certification within thirty days of starting the Dispatch General Training Academy.
• Must possess and maintain an International Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification within thirty days of starting the Dispatch General Training Academy.
• Must pass pre-employment testing which includes a typing test for speed and accuracy.
• Must pass background investigation, motor vehicle record check, drug screen, hearing and vision test, and truth verification examination.

Skills

• Excellent decision-making with sound judgment and communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task while maintaining a high degree of emotional self-control in potentially stressful, negative, and sometimes aggressive situations.

Benefits

N/A

Pay

Base pay for this position will be $62,798.00

Schedule

This position has an anticipated work schedule of Day or Night Shift; 8- and 10-Hour Shifts covering a 24-hour operation, subject to change.

El Paso County is an E-Verify and Equal Opportunity Employer.