Dispatcher
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.
Interviews will tentatively be scheduled for week of December 9, 2024.
Wage for 2024 – $23.42/hr to $26.78/hr
Wage for 2025 – $26.52/hr to $30/hr
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 two immediate openings for a Dispatcher, 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. Dispatchers should expect to work weekends, holidays, and nights. Additional pay incentives are provided for working nights, and holidays.
Note: The shifts for this position – MT-FS, SWTh, 6am-6pm or 6pm-6am.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. Dispatchers should expect to work weekends, holidays, and nights; nights with occasional continuation of duties beyond normal schedule or being forced to work hours outside the normal schedule. Additional pay incentives are provided for working nights, and holidays.
A. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Answer all incoming non-emergency and emergency calls to the Wood County Dispatch Center. 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, coordinating the dispatched units and their radio traffic. At times, remaining 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).
Units dispatched or communicated with: Approximately 34+ service agencies including: law enforcement, ambulances, fire departments, first responders, rescue units, volunteer and full-time emergency units and municipal utility, streets and parks departments within cities, towns and villages of Wood County, and bordering county units for contractual areas within Wood County, or when requested under mutual aide.
2. Enter 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, public records.
Time screens: perform all Department of Transportation (DOT), Crime Information Bureau (CIB) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) transactions according to state and national regulations. Attend training schools and pass certification classes per NCIC and CIB requirements and 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. Provide criminal background information as requested by patrol officers.
4. 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 and Deputy Coroners, Wood County Systems Department, and mutual aid agencies.
5. Operate Emergency Warning equipment according to set procedures. Examples are National Warning System (NAWAS) Weather and Alert Systems and sirens.
6. 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. Assist non-terminal agencies and outside county agencies.
8. Assist in keeping policy manuals and general informational books up to date.
9. List deer carcass locations for Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pickup. Assign wardens appropriate DNR complaints and/or relay directly to DNR headquarters.
10. Answer and dispatch incoming alarms received through Alarm Answering Services or On Premises Alarms, according to the Alarm Procedure and Policy of the department.
11. Operate radios, telephones, computers, computer interfaces and other communications equipment in accordance with federal, state, local and department rules and regulations.
12. Maintain activity status records on service agency units.
13. Read and understand maps (computerized and paper) to assist in determining locations of requests for services and relay this information to responding units when needed.
14. Know, understand, adhere, and actively support Department policy, procedures, regulations, and the Department’s mission.
15. 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.
16. 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. Handle animal complaints and make referrals to the Wood County Humane Officer, or the local town constables.
2. Refer appropriate items to Energy Assistance.
3. 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.
4. Contact wreckers and maintain the vehicle tow log.
5. Notify the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) and other appropriate agencies regarding fatal vehicle accidents.
6. Assist other service agency personnel as necessary.
7. Keep Dispatch Center and equipment clean.
8. Notify the Dispatch Manager of any needed repairs.
9. Brief relief at shift’s end.
10. Participate in job related training sessions and seminars.
11. Assist in training newly hired Dispatchers.
12. Any other duties as may be assigned.
EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, QUALIFICATIONS
High school diploma or the equivalent is required. One to two years of additional schooling preferred. Must be 18 years of age, or older, United States citizen, be of good reputation, no felony convictions, and pass pre-appointment background investigation as well as pre-employment drug screening. Typing skills of 45 w.p.m. required. Ability to interact professionally with others is required.
Must successfully complete and maintain while employed with Wood County, TIME system certifications, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certifications, and Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification with the National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch (NAEMD) through Priority Dispatch, and be trained in the use of ProQA 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.
AA/EEO
https://careers.woodcountywi.gov/
Deadline Note: Interviews will tentatively be scheduled for week of December 9, 2024.