What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lateral Emergency Communications Dispatcher position at City of Richland, WA?
General Summary
We are looking for an experienced Emergency Communications Dispatcher to join our team as a lateral.
A career in emergency communications is exciting and rewarding. As part of the public safety team, the successful candidate will contribute to the safety and welfare of fellow emergency responders and the citizens of both Benton and Franklin counties. Please consider the information below when determining if this is a career for you.
- Ability to multitask.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Excellent hearing.
- Decision-making skills.
- Empathy – strong desire to help others.
- Listening skills.
- Organizational skills.
- Typing skills.
- Good knowledge of English language.
- Stress tolerance.
- Self-control.
- Dependability.
- Integrity.
- Adaptability. Must be able to work varied hours and rotating schedules.
- Good benefits.
- Competitive wages.
- Secure future.
- Work in a team environment with close working relationships.
- Very rewarding work.
- Satisfaction in knowing you made a difference.
- Become a hero in your community.
- Training is lengthy and intensive – usually eight months.
- Regular and predictable attendance is required.
- Required to work different shifts in a 24-7, 365-day work environment.
- Limited flexibility in schedule.
- Likelihood of working many holidays – possibly delaying personal events.
- Schedule may conflict with personal functions and events.
- Required to work scheduled and unscheduled overtime.
- Must have working phone available for contact at any time.
- Required to follow dispatch center policies.
- Must be able to remain at a console workstation for extended periods.
- Work within a chain of command.
- All work is recorded.
- Work in high stress environment.
- Must maintain emotions during chaotic incidents.
- Ability to learn multiple agency response area and local geography.
- Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality of all work incidents.
- Ability to utilize multiple computer screens and keyboards while operating phone lines and radios (multitasking).
- High level of concentration and room awareness required.
- Ability to abstain from marijuana and other illegal drug use while employed with the City of Richland.
Some types of calls we deal with (and are trained to handle) include:
- Routine calls of crimes not occurring at the time of the call.
- Call of crimes occurring during the time of the call.
- Calls from people who are intoxicated, hysterical, irrational, confused, demanding, or screaming at you, people threatening suicide, having a minor or serious medical issue, victims of violent crimes, or reporting a lost child or a lost animal.
- Use technology and interview skills to determine callers location should they be unable to provide it.
Minimum Qualifications
- Three (3) years of call taking or dispatching experience in a combined 9-1-1 Communications Center.
- Criteria Based Dispatching (CBD) certification or equivalent.
- Excellent oral communication skills to include a clear and confident speaking voice with good diction.
- Demonstrated background providing excellent customer service with tact, patience, and courtesy while maintaining a calm and professional demeanor with callers who may be verbally abusive, emotionally upset, uncooperative, or frightened.
Desirable Qualifications
- Knowledge of Benton County, Franklin County, and Walla Walla Fire District #5 streets, locations, and landmarks.
- Prior work experience utilizing VESTA telephone systems and Integraph Public Safety Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) or equivalent.
- A Central Computerized Enforcement Service System (ACCESS) I or state equivalent certification upon hire date.
Supplemental Information
Final candidate(s) selected will be required to successfully complete and pass a comprehensive background/reference process to include a job suitability testing, integrity interview, fingerprinting, polygraph, psychological evaluation, and a pre-employment physical examination (including drug/alcohol screening) commensurate to the position.
Summary of City of Richland benefits for Teamsters affiliated staff (guild-represented employees):
Regular Full-Time Employee Benefits
- Excellent preferred provider plan with a substantial City-paid contribution
- Medical, Dental, Vision plan through United Employees Benefit Trust (UEBT)
- City-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (equals two times the employee's annual salary)
- City-paid Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Participation in the State of Washington's Retirement Plan (PSERS)
- Vacation Leave
- Sick Leave (8 hours per month*)
- Longevity and Bilingual pay
- 10 Paid Holidays
- 3% City-match (base pay) deferred compensation plans, includes 457 and 401(a) options (must meet eligibility requirements)
- Section 125 - Flexible Benefits Plan (Medical/Dependent Care)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Participation in the State of Washington's Retirement Plan (PSERS)
- Vacation & Sick Leave (pro-rated based upon position's budgeted hours*)
- Section 125 - Flexible Benefits Plan (Medical/Dependent Care)
*Rates subject to change based upon collective bargaining agreement. For 2024 - 2025 Teamsters agreement, rates are as follows:Years of Service*Accrual Rate (hours per month)*
1st through 5th year: 12.67
6th through 9th year: 13.67
10th through 15th year: 15.67
16th through 20th year: 17.67
Over 20 years: 20.67