What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Safety Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher), Sheriff's Office position at Stearns County?
JOB
SALARY: Hiring Rate: $26.60/hourly Full Salary Range: $26.60 - $39.04/hourly Grade 15, Non-Exempt Position, LELS Jail/Dispatch UnitOur Mission: "Provide Exceptional Public Services to Assure a Safe, Healthy, Vibrant County for All"Our Values: Professional | Approachable | Responsive | Collaborative | Fair & EquitableLooking 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.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Minimum QualificationsIn 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 fieldMust have experience using a personal computerPossess a typing speed of 40 words per minutePreferred Experience Beyond Minimum Qualifications: Public Safety Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher), police, fire, or ambulance dispatching experience with a city, county or state agencyPublic safety experience such as previous work as a Community Services Officer, police clerk, police officer, volunteer firefighter, or paramedicDesirable 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.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Hours of WorkShift work, including weekends and holidays with rotating days off.Interview DateApplications 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.
SALARY: Hiring Rate: $26.60/hourly Full Salary Range: $26.60 - $39.04/hourly Grade 15, Non-Exempt Position, LELS Jail/Dispatch UnitOur Mission: "Provide Exceptional Public Services to Assure a Safe, Healthy, Vibrant County for All"Our Values: Professional | Approachable | Responsive | Collaborative | Fair & EquitableLooking 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.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Minimum QualificationsIn 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 fieldMust have experience using a personal computerPossess a typing speed of 40 words per minutePreferred Experience Beyond Minimum Qualifications: Public Safety Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher), police, fire, or ambulance dispatching experience with a city, county or state agencyPublic safety experience such as previous work as a Community Services Officer, police clerk, police officer, volunteer firefighter, or paramedicDesirable 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.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Hours of WorkShift work, including weekends and holidays with rotating days off.Interview DateApplications 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.
Salary : $27 - $39
