911 Dispatcher

Description

To provide dispatch services for law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire departments, and an emergency telephone answering point. The Ashland-Bayfield County Emergency Communications Center serves all emergency services providers in Ashland and Bayfield Counties.

Examples of Duties

A. Work involves radio communications (emergency and non-emergency) and telephone answering in the dispatch center for police, ambulance, and fire departments.
B. Answer questions from the public and obtain sufficient information to make the appropriate emergency service dispatch request.
C. Assign calls for service to field units.
D. Maintain records of all incoming and outgoing calls from the communication center. Retrieve recorded audio files or data files.
E. Communicate by radio, phone or text messages with field units and perform requested tasks.
F. Perform emergency radio procedures in the event of radio operating difficulties.
G. Provide update services for field units such as stolen articles, wanted persons, or informational broadcasts.
H. Assign units by virtue of familiarity with the geographic layout of Bayfield County using reference points, road locations and emergency service boundaries.
I. Process alarm reports (burglary, fire, etc.)
J. Monitor courtroom and courthouse surveillance cameras
K. Enter, modify and cancel warrants. Enter stolen items and missing persons.
L. Use the CAD and records management systems to record complaints and assign incident and call numbers.
M. Handle routine requests for record checks from field units.
N. Perform related work as directed or required by department personnel including taking messages for off-duty personnel.
O. Perform any other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

A. Minimum of a high school diploma or GED
B. Pass Drug Screen and Background Check
C. Ability to communicate effectively, including written and oral communications
D. Meet the requirements to become T.I.M.E. System certified
E. Knowledge of modern office and clerical practices, procedures, and equipment.
F. Skill in the operation of a computer terminal and radio dispatch equipment.
G. Typing skills 40-50 words per minute.

Physical Requirements
A. May require sitting in one location for extended periods of time.
B. May require extensive keyboard entry.
C. May require extended periods of time viewing multiple computer monitors.
D. Ability to hear and distinguish various ring tones.
E. May require occasional lifting of 30 pounds or less.
F. Vision: Ability to read, interpret and understand multiple computer screens at program resolution levels
G. Hearing: Ability to simultaneously listen to a phone call while monitoring radio traffic on speaker.

Supplemental Information

A. Ability to speak distinctly and clearly.
B. Must have initiative and good judgment.
C. Ability to learn and retain numerous technical functions, policies and procedures.
D. Ability to learn and become familiar with the geographic layout of Bayfield County.
E. Ability to understand and work with Federal, State, County, and Local laws and ordinances.
F. Ability to maintain extreme stability, good memory, and organization of work procedures during periods of heavy activity and stress.
G. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.
H. Ability to type information real-time while processing a call for service. 40-50 words per minute minimum.
I. Ability to perform numerous tasks simultaneously e.g., gather information from a caller while dispatching an ambulance and starting a computerized incident record.
J. Ability to handle and converse with persons who are in elevated states of emotion or under the influence of intoxicants or drugs.

Shifts and Work Hours:
Generally, the courthouse is open from 8:00am until 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. Depending upon the position, full-time employees may be scheduled either 37.5 or 40 hours per week.

Shifts for Dispatch personnel will vary, but cover 24-hours per day, 365 days per year. Applicants for these positions must be flexible. .

Insurance:
Health insurance is available to regular employees that work 26 hours per week or more and those that are eligible for participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System. Coverage is effective upon completion of one full calendar month of employment.

Both Disability and Life Insurance are available.
A Section 125 Plan (Flexible Spending) is available.

Sick Leave:
Sick time is accumulated at the rate of eight (8) days per year for full-time employees and is pro-rated based on hours worked for employees working 50% time or more. New employees are provided with 37.5 or 40 hours upon hire (in addition to the monthly allocation), which may be used for any purpose during the first year of employment.

Vacation for full-time employees scheduled 1950 hours per year:
Upon Hire: 37.5 hours
After One (1) year: 75 hours
After Five (5) years: 112.5 hours
After Ten (10) years: 150 hours
After Fifteen (1) years: 187.5 hours

Vacation for full-time employees scheduled 2080 hours per year:
Upon Hire: 40 hours
After One (1) year: 80 hours
After Five (5) years: 120 hours
After Ten (10) years: 160 hours
After Fifteen (1) years: 200 hours

Up to five (5) days equivalent of vacation may be carried over to the next year and must be used within the first 6 months of the new year.

For employees working more than 50% time, but less than full-time, vacation time is pro-rated based upon the regular number of hours scheduled.

Holidays:

New Year's Eve, New Years Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Spring Holiday (Friday before Easter), Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, Christmas Eve

Retirement:
Wisconsin Retirement System (Employee and Employer each contribute).

An optional Deferred Compensation Program is available.

Additional voluntary insurances are available, including: Vision, Dental, Accident, Disability and Critical Care. Premiums are payroll deducted for those who choose to enroll.