INTERNAL and EXTERNAL JOB POSTING

Full-Time - 40 Hours Per Week - Benefit Eligible

2023 starting salary: $24.73 - $26.37 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience
2023 full salary range: $24.73 - $31.95 per hour

POSTED: Wednesday, April 19, 2023

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. AA/EEO

General Definition of Work

Performs work receiving, evaluating, and answering non-emergency and emergency calls for assistance and information; dispatching appropriate resources for assistance such as fire, law enforcement, medical services, preparing and maintaining files and records, and related work as apparent or assigned.

Work is performed under the supervision of the Communications Sergeant.

Essential Functions

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Answers incoming telephone calls. Interviews callers to obtain preliminary report of incident, criminal activity, fire, medical, emergency, or other emergencies and gains sufficient information to properly respond and dispatch appropriate assistance; prioritizes calls during major events.
• Maintains contact and coordinates activities between emergency units.
• Maintains computerized Master Street Addressing Guide (MSAG) and E911 database for the County.
• Follows and adheres to current state and federal telecommunication standards.
• Utilizes the ARMER 800 MHz system following the procedures and protocols.
• Operates computer systems to facilitate exchange of information, such as vehicle registration, driver’s license records, warrants and criminal histories with law enforcement officers; runs criminal history checks for authorized personnel and agencies (state and federal systems).
• Keeps accurate records of communication received and transmitted into the LETG CAD System.
• Operates and monitors a multi-frequency radio computer aided dispatch system, state and nationwide teletypes, security devices and responds to all calls for service.
• Collects and disseminates information on weather and/or road conditions.
• Provides courtroom testimony regarding criminal cases; provides information to media regarding crimes, accidents and other emergency incidents.
• Maintains state certification on Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC Systems); makes inquiries through the local terminal.
• May access the Statewide Supervision website to advise the units of probation requirements.
• Monitors phone alarms.
• Confirms all “hit” confirmations for warrants, A and D orders, harassment orders and order for protections or all agencies nationwide. Enters warrants into RMS System.
• Follows and adheres to current state and federal telecommunication standards as technology changes.
• Maintains, updates, cancels, and validates CJIS files.
• Monitors security cameras inside the courtrooms and respond to any district calls made by judges, bailiffs, or courtroom employees.
• Monitors and controls security locks and cameras on law enforcement building and jail facilities; monitors alarms systems that indicate location of fire, break-in, or another emergency situations.
• Operates and provides first line maintenance and perform preliminary diagnostics on all telecommunications and office equipment located in the dispatch center.
• Arranges for emergency repairs of all essential equipment in the dispatch center, such as computer, phone and radio systems.
• Activates and deactivates all civil defense sirens and performs page/radio tests when appropriate.
• Serves as informational resource person to different law agencies by transferring general broadcasts received via monitor, phone, or radio.
• Prepares and maintains up-to-date telephone listings, including confidential lists for hospitals, vets, medical personnel, court personnel, public transportation and utilities, family services, coroner, local businesses, municipal officials and other persons and entities.
• Maintains current on-call schedule rotations of coroners, family services, public works, chaplains, and probation.
• Coordinates communication to municipalities’ public works and Burlington Northern Railroad.
• Relays information to local utilities for fires, gas leaks, natural disasters, and power outages.
• Logs all pertinent information with regards to the monthly civil defense sirens; makes public service announcements over the warning systems and sets off all warning sirens.
• Follows all procedures specified for emergencies.
• May answer questions from public requiring basic knowledge of the law.
• Provides on the job training for new dispatchers.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of two (2) years of customer service experience, or one (1) year of experience where providing service for law enforcement, fire, and/or emergency medical services was the primary responsibility.
• Ability to type 50 words per minute.
• Valid Class D Minnesota driver’s license.

Special Qualifications

• Obtain Minnesota Department of Public Safety National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Certifications within six months of hire.
• Must meet and maintain all training and education requirements for position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates and/or Bachelor’s Degree.
• Prior work experience in a telephone/call center environment.
• Prior work experience providing dispatch.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of county geographic layout, addressing system, emergency service areas and highway systems.
• Knowledge of terminology and procedures used by police, fire, EMS, and other emergency services while dispatching.
• Knowledge of Federal Communications Commission’s rules and regulations relating to receiving and transmitting information on radio.
• Knowledge of department’s organization, policies and procedures.
• Ability to operate telephone, radio, and computer systems simultaneously while remaining calm and decisive when dealing with emergency situations.
• Ability to exercise self-control and deal tactfully with persons in stressful situations.
• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing to provide critical information to appropriate individuals.
• Ability to comprehend and follow difficult written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other law enforcement officials, governmental staff and public.
• Ability to read and understand various materials, such as CJIS and NCIC policy and procedures manuals, personnel handbook, warrant information and various departmental correspondence.
• Ability to listen attentively, understand and convey all of the important information correctly to the appropriate responding units.
• Ability to organize and coordinate numerous law enforcement agencies.
• Ability to remember pieces of information involved in several tasks happening at the same time.
• Ability to understand and communicate through several methods to provide law, fire, and EMS services.
• Ability to react quickly, effectively, and calmly in emergency situations.
• Ability to type reports and records rapidly and accurately.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Requires regular and timely work attendance.

Working Conditions

Physical Requirements and Activity

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing and walking.

Work is performed in an office/dispatch center setting with extensive public contact; incumbents may be required to work evening, night, and weekend shifts; incumbents may be called back or held over to maintain staffing levels. Incumbents function in a stressful environment. The nature of calls taken in the dispatch center may be traumatic and disturbing.

Sensory Requirements

Work requires close vision and ability to adjust focus; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.

Sensory Utilization

Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.

Environmental Conditions

Work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Candidates unable to complete any portion of this process will not be eligible to move forward in the hiring process.

A fully completed Isanti County Online Application and resume must be received by Human Resources by the closing date and time listed on the posting. Any materials received after the closing date and time will not be considered.

Isanti County reserves the right to select and limit the number of candidates in the selection process. Applications will be first evaluated to determine if the applicants meets the minimum job qualifications. Upon successful completion of minimum qualifications, applicants will be required to complete the Emergency Communications Testing System (ECOMM National) pre-employment testing. If you have taken the ECOMM National test within the last 120 days with Isanti County, you will not be required to retake this test unless you choose to do so. You will be notified by Human Resources via email on upcoming test dates. Veterans Preference will be applied in accordance with Minnesota law.

Selected candidates will be contacted to schedule a background investigation, which is conducted by Isanti County Sheriff's Office. The background process may take up to three (3) months to complete. Selections to move forward in the process will be made upon completion and review of background investigation results.

Applications will be evaluated based on a review of application materials, which may include but is not limited to application, screening questions, training and experience assessment, and Subject Matter Expert (SME) review.

Prior to employment applicant must:

• Possess no convictions of a felony or other criminal conviction as outlined in the MN POST Board rules.
• Successfully pass the following exam components: oral interview, background investigation, and psychological evaluation.

The statements in this class description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbent(s) assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.