Communications Officer - 911 Dispatcher; Sheriff's Office

Walworth County Sheriff's Office is seeking applications for our Communications Officer positions. Hiring preferences will be given to candidates that possess prior experience in a medium-to-large multi-jurisdictional and multi-disciplined 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 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 ls 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  work environment can be rapidly paced and high stressed, lacks consistency, and may be outside of your span of control.

Employees may be subjected to harsh criticism.

The 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 Fourth 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 workday is 8.25 hours; however, some overtime is required 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.

• Advanced starting pay considerations for candidates with prior experience.
• Scheduled Time Off (Vacation) - accrual starts on the 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 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.

• Answer 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 consistent contact with patrol officers in the field and remain alert for potential problems or threats to personnel safety.
• Gather and process…