Communications Officer - 911 Dispatcher (Sheriff's Office)
: Job Details :

Communications Officer - 911 Dispatcher (Sheriff's Office)Print ( Officer - 911 Dispatcher (Sheriff's Office)Salary$26.86 - $35.31 HourlyLocationElkhorn, WIJob TypeFull-timeJob Number2024-00106DepartmentSheriff's Office (Non-Sworn)DivisionCommunicationsOpening Date08/27/2024Closing DateContinuousDescriptionBenefitsAn Equal Opportunity EmployerPosition SummaryWalworth County Sheriff's Office is seeking applications for our Communications Officer positions. Hiring preference will be given to candidates that possess prior experience in a medium to large multi-jurisdiction and multi-discipline public safety communications center. Candidates without prior experience will be considered as openings in our training program will accommodate such hires.Communications Officers (aka 911 Dispatchers/Telecommunicators) are non-sworn, civilian professionals who work within the Walworth County Sheriff's Office as key members of the public safety team. Our Communications Officers are a dynamic team, working in a fast-paced environment where success is defined by public and responder safety. If you're passionate about public safety and helping those in need, we need dedicated professionals to join our team and make an impact on our community. Successful candidates for this position are dedicated to the service and wellbeing of the community and its citizens.The work of the Communications Officer is often interesting, exciting, and can be very rewarding. With the good, there are also aspects of this job that are not for everyone. Callers may be hysterical, intoxicated, irrational, confused, or nearly impossible to understand. Some may be suicidal, while others may be screaming or directing obscene language at you. Calls can involve violent crimes which are in progress, and you may have to make quick decisions while one or more person's safety may be at stake. The work environment can be rapid paced and high stressed, lacks consistency, and may be outside of your span of control. Employees may be subjected to harsh criticism.ScheduleThe Communications Center is a 24/7, 365-day operation that requires shift work, including nights and weekends on a regular basis. You will also be expected to work holidays such as the Forth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Communications Officers are scheduled to work one of three shifts (first, second, or thirds). As a new Communications Officer, you will likely be assigned to second or third shift. You will work a rotating schedule of 5 days on - 2 days off, 5 days on - 3 days off. The average work day is 8.25 hours, however, some overtime is required in order to cover shifts, with the amount varying based on staffing levels. This overtime can be required before or after a shift, sometimes with little or no notice. Employees have limited choice(s) about which shift they are assigned to work as well as which days they work. During the on-the-job training, employees will be assigned a designated period to work on all shifts.BenefitsAdvanced starting pay considerations for candidates with prior experience.Scheduled Time Off (Vacation) - accrual starts on first day of employment, with time available to use with no waiting period. Use is subject to supervisor approval.Personal Time Off - 64 hours per calendar year (pro-rated for new hires) available for use after 14 days of employment with supervisor approval.Health, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance plans.Wisconsin Retirement pension with optional 457 Deferred Compensation plan.Educational Assistance program.On-site fitness room.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesAnswer emergency and non-emergency requests for assistance by telephone and radio and assign the appropriate resource for assistance.Provide lifesaving medical assistance to emergency callers by giving pre-arrival instructions through Emergency Medical Dispatch program.Prioritize calls to be dispatched, deciding which is most serious.Dispatch emergency and other calls requiring police, fire and/or EMS response according to priority and available field units via a radio console or other electronic means of communications.Maintain strict radio discipline at all times.Operate the Computer Aided Dispatch system including maintaining a record of location of personnel and equipment.Provide essential information and support to field units in emergency and non-emergency situations.Maintain constant contact with patrol officers in the field and remain alert for potential problems or threats to personnel safety.Gather and process critical information through state and national databases via teletype, internet, and other databases.Disseminate motor vehicle, driver's license, and criminal record information to authorized personnel in accordance with Department policy.Provide lifesaving notifications to the public via weather alerting systems such as the county outdoor warning siren system.Make referrals to appropriate County Departments and outside agencies as required, e.g. other police agencies, support agencies, utility companies, towing companies, highway/street departments, etc.Answer administrative telephone lines and provide assistance to the caller or transfer to appropriate agency personnel or division.Enter or cancel warrants/commitments in the Crime Information Bureau files via the computer terminal.Essential Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesAbility to work at times under highly stressful circumstances, while remaining articulate in verbal and written communication, and able to work in a fast-paced environment.Ability to function in a sustained stress environment with the ability to interpret and prioritize incoming and outgoing information by radio, phone, verbal, or written communication.Ability to perform several functions in rapid succession or at the same time.Ability to monitor several conversations at the same time and retain key information relative to the conversations on a short- and long-term basis.Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with staff members and public officials, and ability to deal with the public in a courteous and professional manner.Ability to read maps and give accurate directions to staff members and the public. Geographic knowledge of Walworth County and its surrounding areas.Ability to communicate effectively with the public, citizens, and employees on matters requiring discretion and knowledge.Ability to accept responsibility, make decisions, and effectively prioritize work requiring independent judgment with speed and accuracy, learning, interpreting, and applying organizational policies, laws, rules, and regulations.Ability to research and obtain pertinent information through various resources.Considerable ability and proficiency with computer equipment to process, access, retrieve, or input information using word processing and other standardized software common to the work unit or as assigned.Excellent hand-eye coordination sufficient to operate and view multiple monitors, keyboards, and complex communications equipment in rapid succession or simultaneously.QualificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent required prior to date of hire. Prior experience in public safety or customer service preferred.Training and CertificationsWe will provide you with the training required for you to become a successful Communications Officer. Training is included but not limited to your initial on-the-job training. Wisconsin TIME System Certification, Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification, and Public Safety Telecommunicator. You must successfully complete these training requirements to maintain employment as a Communications Officer with Walworth County, but we will support you in achieving these. Other training may be provided as required. During on-the-job training, employees will receive a daily rating of their job performance which may include criticism and performance based feedback.Selection ProcessComplete Walworth County Electronic ApplicationEducation and Employment History ReviewOral Department InterviewPre-psychological, Law Enforcement Suitability TestingBackground InvestigationFinal Interview/Meeting with the Sheriff and/or UndersheriffPost Offer Psychological Evaluation, Physical Examination, and Drug Screen.Other job-related tests may be required.To learn more about this position, please contact:Communications Operations Manager, Kathy Churchill at (262) ###-#### or via email at ...@co.walworth.wi.us-or-Human Resources Generalist, Lisa Pohl at (262) ###-#### or via email at ...@co.walworth.wi.usWALWORTH COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SUMMARYH - Non-Represented Hourly EmployeesBARGAINING UNIT: Non-Represented Hourly Employees Hired on or after January 1, 2012DATE: January 1, 2019EMPLOYMENT STATUS: All employees of Walworth County are at-will employees.BASIS OF PAYMENT: You are paid for actual hours worked plus pay for any accrued benefit time for which you are eligible. You are eligible for overtime or compensatory time in accordance with provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.SCHEDULED TIME OFF: Accrued based on straight-time hours paid each pay period. All accrued scheduled time off hours are available for use, subject to approval of your supervisor. As a full-time employee you earn scheduled time off (pro-rated for part-time) equivalent to the following:10 days per year after 1 year of Walworth County Service15 days per year after 5 years of Walworth County Service20 days per year after 15 years of Walworth County ServicePERSONAL TIME OFF: Employees will receive 64 hours of personal time off as a lump sum at the beginning of each year (pro-rated for part-time and newly-hired employees). At the end of each calendar year, an employee may request to move remaining personal time off hours to the extended sick leave bank. If no request is made, any remaining hours shall be paid out on the employee's last pay date of the calendar year.EXTENDED SICK LEAVE BANK: Used for time off of work for more serious health conditions that require three or more consecutive days off or when on an approved leave of absence.HOLIDAYS: Ten paid holidays each year. As a part-time employee, you receive pro-rated holiday pay based on your positions budgeted FTE.INSURANCE: Employees hired into a .75 FTE or higher position are eligible for Health, Dental, Life, Vision, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability insurance benefits on the first of the month following 30 days of service provided you complete enrollment forms within 30 days of hire. Employees hired into a .50 FTE or higher position are eligible for all benefits listed below except Health insurance. Employees hired into a .49 FTE or less position are eligible to participate in Short-Term Disability only.Health Insurance: You can choose Tier 1 or Tier 2. Tier 1 is a standard co-pay plan. Tier 2 is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). The County will contribute an amount approved by the County Board, payable as a lump sum to your HSA for Tier 2. You may also elect to contribute to your HSA up to the IRS maximum. You may elect either family or single coverage. The monthly premium will be split between the County and the employee.Dental Insurance: You may elect either family or single coverage. The county shall pay 100% (single or family) of the premium for a full-time and 50% (single or family) of the premium for a part-time employee enrolled in dental insurance.Life Insurance: The County provides you with term life insurance in an amount equal to $25,000. You have the option of purchasing additional coverage for yourself, spouse, and/or dependent children.Short-Term Disability Insurance: The County provides you with Short-Term Disability Insurance with premiums paid by the employer.LTD Insurance: The County provides you with Long-Term Disability Insurance. The monthly premium is 0.83% of your insured monthly wages. The County shall pay 67% of the premium & employee shall pay 33% of the premium.Vision Insurance: You may elect to participate in Vision insurance. The employee electing coverage shall pay 100% (single or family) of the premium for vision insurance.WISCONSIN RETIREMENT: You are covered under the Wisconsin Retirement System if you are expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours per year for a period of one year or more. The WRS provides you with separation, disability or retirement benefits upon termination. The payment is split between the county and employee, as prescribed by state law. Employees expected to work less than 1200 hours per year will not receive this benefit.EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: After completing 6 months of employment, you are eligible to participate in the Educational Assistance Program and receive partial reimbursement for tuition upon completion of approved courses.TAX-SHELTERED BENEFITS: You may elect to participate in the following tax-sheltered benefits:Deferred Compensation (S457 plan)Medical Spending Account (S125 plan)Dependent Care Plan (S125 plan)Health Savings Account (S223 plan)WORKERS COMPENSATION: You are covered by Workers Compensation for any illness or injury arising out of your employment. Medical expenses and compensation for lost time are paid from the workers' compensation plan. In addition, the County will supplement the workers' compensation lost-time payment for up to 1 year, making you whole on a net-check basis.DIRECT DEPOSIT: You are required to participate in direct deposit of your paycheck to a banking institution of your choice.EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: You and your family are encouraged to use the Employee Assistance Program for help in addressing confidential family and financial matters. EAP services are provided through Curalinc. Please call 888-###-#### for help.BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: You will receive pay for up to 3 days for the purpose of bereavement over the death of your spouse, child, step-child, parent, step-parent, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, or other member of the immediate household (excluding renters).You will receive up to 1 day of pay for the death of your brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.JURY DUTY: Your regular wages will be made-whole for any time you are required to serve on jury duty.MILITARY LEAVE: Your regular wages will be made-whole for up to two weeks for you to meet your annual two-week reserve duty obligation. Extended military leaves are provided in accordance with state and federal laws.LEAVE OF ABSENCE: You are required to request a leave of absence in writing and a minimum of 15 calendar days prior to your expected absence. All leaves are subject to approval of the Human Resources Department and are at the discretion of the County's representative, except as otherwise required by law. Under emergency situations, the leave papers must be submitted within 5 days after the absence begins. Periods of absence less than 5 days may be approved by your department head.Note: This Summary provides only a brief outline of your benefits. All benefit terms and conditions are subject to the specific provisions of plan documents, policies, and/or legal rules and regulations. These benefits are subject to change from time to time by action of the County Board and/or Human Resources Committee.AgencyWalworth CountyAddressP.O. Box 1001 100 W. Walworth Street Elkhorn, Wisconsin, 53121Phone262-###-####Website verify your email address Verify Email