PLEASE NOTE: Once you submit a completed application, a one-page background will be sent. You will have 72 hours in which to complete and return. Please keep an eye on your junk/spam folders as well. Note: The hours for this position - 6am-6pm OR 6pm-6am, 365/24/7 operation, nights/days, holidays, and weekends. WHO WE ARE:
The Wood County Dispatch Center has great passion for helping the members of our community. As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality services is a shared goal across all departments. If you have a background in Criminal Justice and a passion to help the members of our community, please consider joining our team!
WHAT WE OFFER: In addition to who we are, Wood County team members are offered competitive salaries, and excellent benefits, including: *Health Insurance - we offer low premiums and low deductibles, with excellent coverage! *Dental Insurance *Vision Insurance *Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) - This is one of the best-funded public pension plans in the U.S.! *457 deferred compensation plan *Vacation and Sick Time - Start accruing for both on your first day! *10 Paid Holidays *Flexible Spending Account to set aside pre-tax dollars for childcare and medical expenses *Life Insurance *Short and Long-Term Disability *Wellness Incentive Plan *Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program *Ability to earn comp time after 40 hours worked CURRENT OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN OUR TEAM: The Wood County Dispatch Center has an immediate opening for a Dispatcher Trainee, and to establish an eligibility list for future vacancies. This job classification consists of public safety telecommunications calls for service, and radio transmission to the Wood County Dispatch Center - Public Service Answering Point (PSAP). This provides the vital first-link between the citizens and various emergency services of Wood County, which directly contributes to the safety and well-being of service agencies and the public.
RESPONSIBILITIESThe following duties are typical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. Dispatcher Trainees should expect to work weekends, holidays, and nights.
A. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Dispatcher Trainee — Observe, learn, and put into practice how to receive and process emergency and non-emergency calls while completing comprehensive training in emergency communications. Gather and accurately document critical information, prioritize calls based on urgency, and learn to coordinate appropriate police, fire, EMS, and other emergency responses. Operate CAD, telephone, radio, and related communication systems while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, accuracy, and composure in high-pressure situations. Work closely with experienced dispatchers and emergency personnel to develop proficiency in call-taking, radio communications, incident documentation, and established emergency response protocols.
Wage Progression: The Dispatcher Trainee will be compensated at the trainee rate during the training and probationary period. Upon successful completion of the required training and probationary period, generally expected within six months, the employee will advance to Grade G, Step 1 on the Wood County Wage Structure. The training period may be extended at the discretion of the Dispatch Manager when additional time is needed to successfully complete training requirements.
1. Observe tenured and fully trained Dispatchers answer all incoming non-emergency and emergency calls to the Wood County Dispatch Center to learn what is expected when a trainee begins to answer calls. From questioning the caller, the Dispatcher will determine the type of service needed; establish priorities for the calls for service, determining and dispatching the appropriate agencies via the radio or phone systems, and coordinating the dispatched units and their radio traffic. At times, remain on the phone with the caller to monitor the situation, gain additional information, and give pre-arrival instructions based upon training. At times, coordinate responses with other PSAP outside of Wood County. Handle requests for service from field units and maintain status of all units in the Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD).
2. Observe and learn how a Dispatcher enters all complaints received into CAD. Assign and give description of, and complete, all complaints.
Maintain and keep local computer records up to date: complaints, apprehension requests, temporary restraining orders and injunctions, warrants, business files, address files, and public records.
TIME screens: Enroll and successfully complete TIME I certification through the State TRAIN Web site. Learn to perform all Department of Transportation (DOT), Crime Information Bureau (CIB), and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) transactions according to state and national regulations. Assist any agency requesting an individual’s record by running through the computer systems. Enter warrants, missing persons, stolen articles, vehicles, and guns into the computers as per NCIC/CIB procedures and regulations. Answer requests from other agencies on the status of active warrants and cancel warrants serviced or when notified of cancellation by the Wood County Clerk of Courts. Perform criminal history record checks for law enforcement personnel.
3. Learn how to provide criminal background information as requested by patrol officers.
4. Observe and learn how to page all agencies by following procedures of the Dispatch Center. Examples are ambulance services, fire departments, law enforcement personnel, The Family Center, Social Services, Red Cross, Emergency Management, Chief Coroner/ Deputy Coroners, Wood County Systems Department, and mutual aid agencies.
5. Become familiar with the operating Emergency Warning equipment according to set procedures. Examples are National Warning System (NAWAS) Weather and Alert Systems and sirens.
6. Observe, learn, and practice how to complete any supplementary reports. File all pertinent documents received appropriately as procedure indicates. Keep all warrants received and file properly. Complete appropriate Runaway/Missing Persons forms.
7. Understand how to assist non-terminal agencies and outside county agencies.
8. List deer carcass locations for Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pickup via the online State system with the assistance of trainers. Assign wardens appropriate DNR complaints and/or relay directly to DNR headquarters with the assistance of trainers.
9. Observe Dispatchers answer and dispatch incoming alarms received through Alarm Answering Services or On Premises Alarms, according to the Alarm Procedure and Policy of the department. Eventually the trainee will answer and dispatch calls under supervision of trainer.
10. Learn how to operate radios, telephones, computers, computer interfaces, and other communications equipment in accordance with federal, state, local, and department rules and regulations.
11. Learn how to maintain activity status records on service agency units.
12. Read and understand maps (computerized and paper) to assist in determining locations of requests for services and learn how to relay this information to responding units when needed.
13. Know, understand, adhere to, and actively support Department policy, procedures, regulations, and the Department’s mission.
14. Direct efforts towards the development and reinforcement of good community relations by dealing with service agencies and the public in a courteous, attentive, and helpful manner.
15. Responsible to know and practice the Safety policies of the County. Perform all job tasks in a safe and prescribed manner.
B. OTHER DUTIES
1. Observe, learn, and understand how to handle animal complaints and make referrals to the Wood County Humane Officer, or the local town constables.2. Learn how and when to contact highway and street departments for road repairs and/or conditions. Inform the general public of road conditions as well as other requests for information they may have.3. Understand when and how to contact wreckers and maintain the vehicle tow log.4. Discuss and understand how and when to notify the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) and other appropriate agencies regarding fatal vehicle accidents with a trainer.5. Assist other service agency personnel as necessary.6. Keep Dispatch Center and equipment clean.7. Notify the Dispatch Manager of any needed repairs.8. Participate in a brief relief at shift’s end.9. Participate in job related training sessions and seminars.
10. Any other duties as may be assigned.
EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, QUALIFICATIONS
Must successfully complete and maintain while employed with Wood County, TIME system certifications, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certifications, and Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification via the TotalResponse training modules and be trained in the use of TotalResponse software for handling Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls for service. Basic, everyday living skills are needed, as is the ability to understand and follow oral and written directions. Reading, writing, adding, and subtracting is needed.
Basic equipment used: Communications terminal, radio equipment, general office equipment, fire equipment.
