Public Safety Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher), Sheriff's Office

Position Description

SALARY:
Hiring Rate: $26.60/hourly
Full Salary Range: $26.60 - $39.04/hourly
Grade 15, Non-Exempt Position, LELS Jail/Dispatch Unit

Our Mission: "Provide Exceptional Public Services to Assure a Safe, Healthy, Vibrant County for All"
Our Values: Professional | Approachable | Responsive | Collaborative | Fair & Equitable

Looking for a career you can be proud of? Look no further than the Stearns County Public Safety Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher)! We are looking for candidates that crave a challenge, have the innate ability to be the voice of reason in strenuous situations and above all else, can find the calm within chaos. Have you ever provided instructions to help bring a baby into the world that doesn’t want to wait for mom to get to the hospital? What about assisting in locating a lost child or saving the day by getting an officer the backup they need? These gratifying moments are just examples of situations you will be trained to navigate while in your role. If you are a forward thinker, are comfortable overcoming and adapting on the fly and are a team player, then you might be exactly who we are looking for. Don’t miss your opportunity to make a difference through a rewarding career in public service, apply today! Remember, not all heroes wear capes, some wear headsets!

• All dispatchers will be eligible to receive a 5% pay increase on 1/1/2026 and 1/1/2027.
• Hiring Incentive of up to $5,000 ($1,000 after completion of Field Training Officer Program; $2,000 after completion of probationary period; $2,000 after completion of two years of employment.

Lateral Applicants are highly encouraged to apply for this position. Lateral applicants with relevant prior experience as a dispatcher may qualify for higher initial pay scale placement.

The 2025 lateral hire wage scale: One year of relevant experience = ($27.40) – Two years of relevant experience = ($28.22) - Three years of relevant experience = ($29.06)

Position Objective
To provide skilled communication by receiving requests and transmitting information for emergency and non-emergency assistance within the County. This position is responsible to maintain efficient communications between the public, law enforcement and other public service agencies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
These examples do not include all possible responsibilities in this position and do not limit the assignment of related duties to this classification.

1. Answers all emergency and non-emergency calls for local law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies within the County.
2. Enters initial complaint information on calls received, dispatches proper personnel to investigate incidents, monitors progress of calls and provides on-going updates to responding personnel.
3. Maintains radio contact and receives reports from mobile police units, fire and emergency medical services (EMS), monitoring their locations and ensuring their safety.
4. Maintains radio contact with other law enforcement, fire and emergency agencies that enter into and/or are required to provide service within the County.
5. Tests and maintains all essential equipment in emergency communications center.
6. Operates a multi-channel computerized communication console with multiple computer terminals including phone and radio systems to obtain, enter, transmit and maintain information.
7. Performs data entry into the state and national computer network maintaining the integrity of the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and MN Justice Information System (MNJIS).
8. Provides pre-arrival medical instructions to callers reporting medical emergencies.
9. Contacts agencies for placement of individuals needing specialized housing or care.
10. Provides a variety of information to callers and department visitors.
11. Attends work regularly and in a timely manner.
12. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications and Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Minimum Qualifications
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must possess the following:

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• One year of post-secondary education in a related field and seven months of experience in a call center, multitask oriented retail or restaurant service or similar field OR two years and seven months of progressively related experience in a call center, multitask oriented retail or restaurant service or similar field
• Must have experience using a personal computer
• Possess a typing speed of 40 words per minute

• Public Safety Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher), police, fire, or ambulance dispatching experience with a city, county or state agency
• Public safety experience such as previous work as a Community Services Officer, police clerk, police officer, volunteer firefighter, or paramedic

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Knowledge of the geography of Stearns County and the City of St. Cloud, as well as the road and street system.
2. Knowledge of laws, ordinances and policies and terminology of local jurisdictions and location of boundaries, streets, addresses, etc., in service area.
3. Knowledge of emergency medical dispatch instruction protocols needed to provide effective pre-arrival and post-dispatch emergency medical assistance.
4. Ability to learn various software programs.
5. Ability to speak clearly in verbal communications and to remain calm during emergencies, unusual events or disasters.
6. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, other employees, and the public.
7. Ability to make decisions quickly with little margin of error.
8. Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
9. Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of individuals.
10. Ability to read and interpret maps.
11. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

Accountabilities, Work Environment and Extent of Supervision or Guidance Provided

Accountabilities Shared By All Employees
1. Performs job responsibilities in a manner consistent with the County's mission and values.
2. Develops and maintains a thorough working knowledge of all department and County-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
3. Develops respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
4. Informs immediate supervisor of all important matters pertaining to assigned job responsibilities.
5. Seeks opportunities for further personal growth and development.
6. Represents the County in a professional manner to all internal and external contacts when doing the County's business.
7. Complies with all rules and policies in order to maintain a safe work environment.

Work Environment and Physical Demands
The primary responsibilities for this position will be performed approximately 100% of the time indoors. Will have infrequent exposure to health hazards and accidents; requires a low level of physical effort. All employees are required to reside within the state of Minnesota.

Extent of Supervision or Guidance Provided
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Sergeant-Communications.

Responsibility for Public Contact
Frequent

Supervision of Others
None

Hours of Work, Testing and Interview Dates

Hours of Work
Shift work, including weekends and holidays with rotating days off.

Interview Date
Applications will be reviewed in batches. If you are selected to be interviewed for this position, interviews will be held on a date to be determined. Invitations to interview will be sent to the email address listed on the job application and will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. A job specific physical, drug and/or psychological exam may be required before appointment.

If you require special accommodations to participate in the Stearns County hiring process, please contact us at 320-656-3606.