Dispatcher or Dispatcher Trainee

Title: Dispatcher or Dispatcher Trainee DSP0250

State Role Title: Emergency Coordinator II

Hiring Range: Hourly Rate is $20.75 for applicants with experience. Dispatcher Trainees hourly rate will be $18.87.

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of State Police

Location: Salem, Virginia

Agency Website: vsp.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

• Candidates with prior dispatching training and experience may be hired as a Dispatcher (Emergency Coordinator II), and the hourly rate will be $20.75.

• Candidates with limited experience are hired as a Dispatcher Trainee (Emergency Coordinator I - pay-band 3, hourly rate will be $18.87). After satisfactory completion of a four-to-six-month training regimen, employees progress to a Dispatcher (Emergency Coordinator II - pay-band 4) and will receive a 10% hourly rate increase.

• Experienced candidates who are not placed in a trainee status are not eligible for the 10% salary increase.

About the Position:
The Virginia State Police (VSP) is seeking to hire a Dispatcher Trainee in our Division 6 Headquarters in Salem, Virginia. The successful candidate will learn how to properly receive and dispatch routine and emergency calls for service in order to aid law enforcement personnel, emergency personnel, the general public and the media, within the Division VI geographic area, by sending and receiving information, emergency assistance, or service equipment as required in assisting law enforcement personnel or the general public; and learn how to operate a multi-channel radio system, answer a multi-line computerized telephone system, enter and retrieve information through Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Terminal, and properly operate computerized information network terminals.

About the Agency:

We are seeking to expand our diverse team of change makers and innovators. As a member of the VSP family, you would make a difference by serving every city, county, town, resident, and visitor of the Commonwealth through supporting our vast public safety mission. Challenge yourself to make a difference today by applying for a career with VSP!

VSP embraces inclusion and diversity in our workforce and in the protection of all people. We embrace our tradition of professionalism and excellence, and we are excited for our future as we continue our journey to become a best-in-class state government agency. We are firmly committed to our family-like culture and are seeking to expand our team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Some knowledge of operating standard office equipment such as fax and copy machines.
• Skill in operating computers, using Microsoft Office software, data entry, problem solving and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with the public; to work in a high pressure, high stress environment; to exercise resourcefulness and sound judgement under stress and multi task; to manage complaints/compliments, directing to appropriate supervision; to enter/record information into automated systems, and keep records and logs updated; to communicate effectively orally and in writing in English; to be flexible, work effectively independently and as a member of a team; and to work holidays, weekends and rotating shifts.
• Successfully complete required training within six (6) months from hire.
• Must be able to become Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) certified which requires either United States citizenship or a lawful permanent resident of the United States and eligible for naturalization.
• May work rotating shifts and is considered essential personnel.
• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Additional Considerations

N/a

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Elements of the selection process include the screening of application(s); the interviewing of qualified candidate(s), to include pre-employment testing, a presentation and/or a work sample, if applicable; salary negotiation(s) if applicable; a background investigation; and a medical evaluation if applicable. The anticipated duration of the pre-employment process is determined by the successful completion of the above items.

Applications, cover letters and/or resumes shall only be accepted on-line through the PageUp recruitment management system at https://jobs.virginia.gov and must be received by 11:55 P. M. on March 20, 2025. Please limit resumes to four pages and cover letters to one page. Any additional attachments received in excess of this will not be considered.

PageUp provides a confirmation of receipt of your application, resume and/or cover letter submitted successfully. Please refer to your PageUp account to check the status of your application for this position. For questions, please contact the Employment Unit of the Human Resources Division at civilianemployment@vsp.virginia.gov.

The Department of State Police is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is to extend employment opportunities to qualified individuals on an equal basis regardless of an individual’s race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

(V)alor (S)ervice (P)ride

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.