Communications Officer​/911 Dispatcher

• Pay or shift range: $21.07 USD to $31.61 USD
  The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

The Communications Officer is responsible for the operation and activities relative to the Sheriff’s Office Communications Center, including all emergency and non-emergency requests for service. The Communications Officer is a highly technical position that answers 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls from the public, interdepartmental calls from police, fire and ambulance services, and calls from other public safety agencies. Communications Officers monitor multiple computer screens, while efficiently gathering, prioritizing, and documenting caller information.

Work requires the exercise of independent judgment and interpretation and is performed under general supervision with periodic review for accuracy and adherence to standards.

This individual provides callers with the appropriate advice or referral, or initiate police, fire, and/or emergency medical (EMS) services to the caller. The Communications Officer dispatches law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel by Operating Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), two-way radio, and other sophisticated communications equipment systems. Work includes handling high-stress and crisis situations, de-escalation of critical situations with callers, accurate transfer of information to multiple agencies and responders, and requires a high accuracy in receiving information and providing direction and location information through dispatch of emergency and public safety services.

• The salary range for this position starts at $21.07/hour and progresses up to $31.61/hour
  • New hires should expect to start at $23.14/hour
  • Relevant previous experience will be taken into consideration.
  • Our organization values pay equity, and hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical.
• This is a trainable position with training provided, which must be successfully completed and maintained.
• This is a full-time benefit eligible position including medical, dental, life insurance, holiday, sick leave, vacation, and uniform pay.

The following duties are normal for this classification. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Position Duties

• Answer and process 911 emergency and non-emergency calls from the public, interdepartmental calls for police, fire and ambulance services, and calls from other public safety agencies for McLeod County. McLeod County dispatches for 19 public safety agencies within McLeod County as well as several State agencies.
• When a request for services is received (by telephone, radio, in person, by fax, email, or teletype {TTY}) gather and dispatch information to the appropriate personnel.
• Maintain radio dispatch log for emergency responders. Document calls for service, complete appropriate forms, and computer data entry for the same. Accuracy and timeliness of all above state responsibilities is imperative.
• Broadcast, enter, modify, cancel, and/or clear Hot File notices for wanted persons, stolen vehicle/suspect vehicle information, vehicle registrations, stolen property, runaway juveniles, or other information as requested. Monthly, quarterly, and yearly validation of Hot Files.
• Request and receive information via the Minnesota Department of Criminal Justice Information System (MNJIS) – PORTALS system, including but not limited to: persons, vehicles, drivers, guns, articles, and Computerized Criminal Histories files to query, enter, modify, clear and cancel data and operate computer terminals linked to State and Federal law…