PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS - TELECOMMUNICATOR

About La Crosse County :

At La Crosse County, we are committed to creating a vibrant, safe, and inclusive community. Guided by our Strategic Plan, we focus on economic growth, environmental stewardship, affordable housing, and robust public services that enhance the quality of life for all residents.

Why Join La Crosse County?

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) : A top-rated pension program.

Affordable Insurance Premiums : Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.

Generous Paid Time Off : Vacation, sick, and 10+ paid holidays annually.

Work-Life Balance : Flexible schedules and wellness programs.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) :

At La Crosse County, we believe that diversity strengthens our community. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued.

Overview

FLSA : Non-Exempt This is a specialized non-sworn position engaging in the dispatching of emergency vehicles in response to calls requiring police, fire or medical services. Persons in this position also answer telephone relative to calls of other-than-an-emergency nature. Position requires extensive training and familiarization with emergency service dispatching entailing a 9-1-1 system. Persons in this position are under close supervision but will exercise independent judgement after gaining extensive experience and training.

Persons are trained to be familiar with all aspects of an emergency dispatch center operation.

Essential Leadership Functions

Act with Integrity and Build Trust

Demonstrate mutual respect, humility, and honesty in all interactions

Speak up appropriately, even when expressing unpopular viewpoints

Actively listen and remain open-minded to diverse perspectives

Drive for Results

Set clear goals and objectives to motivate self and others to achieve outcomes

Seek new opportunities to improve processes and drive sustainable results

Hold self and others accountable through consistent evaluation and monitoring

Develop Talent and Effective Teams

Foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and growth

Provide mentorship and support to help self and others reach full potential

Recognize and leverage diverse strengths within self and team

Lead with Vision and Strategy

Understand and communicate a compelling vision that aligns with organizational goals

Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to achieve long-term objectives

Connect daily work to the bigger picture, inspiring self and others to contribute meaningfully

Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking

Navigate complex situations by considering multiple perspectives

Adapt quickly to changes and uncertainties in the work environment

Make critical decisions using analytical skills, experience, and input from others

Build and Maintain Effective Relationships

Communicate and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across the organization

Influence others through coaching, consulting, and team-minded thinking

Develop and sustain partnerships that create positive outcomes for all stakeholders

Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service

Understand and address the needs and concerns of the community

Incorporate community perspectives into decision-making processes

Drive initiatives that create positive impacts beyond the organization

Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence

Show self-awareness and manage emotions effectively in challenging situations

Seek and respond constructively to feedback, even in the face of setbacks

Balance empathy with accountability when leading self and working with others

Essential Job Functions

Demonstrates self-leadership, seeks out opportunities for personal growth and development, accepts feedback and demonstrates ability to learn and apply.

Shares ideas and demonstrates respect, humility, honesty, and open-minded thinking.

Demonstrates flexibility, acceptance of change and emotional intelligence. Takes initiative and demonstrates the ability to think critically and strategically.

Participates as a contributing member of the team and brings authentic self to discussions regarding all aspects of the work.

Demonstrates ability to build and maintain effective relationships.

Answers calls by radio and telephone and dispatches public-safety personnel as required and provides information to callers and public-safety responders.

Listens to radio communications and responds with voice quality that transmits with clarity. Wears headset at all times and listens to one conversation through headset and often listens to another conversation at same time with other ear.

Performs multiple tasks at one time. Handles flurries of activities which may be followed by inactive times.

Reads printed maps, plus maps on computer screen. Reads icons, alpha and alpha / numeric detail on computer screen, teletypes from other sources.

Logs calls and actions taken in accordance with prescribed procedures. Operates multiple computers and software programs at the same time.

Ascertains nature of calls to assure correct information to determine necessary action to be taken.

Operates all equipment and monitors its operation to assure proper functioning. Makes out reports as prescribed by established procedure.

Exercises good judgment in dispatching and answering inquiries to the Center. Maintains confidentiality of work-related information.

In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients. Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors and public officials.

Physical demands :

Almost all time is spent in office at computer console (which is height adjustable for standing or sitting), viewing six monitors and using three computer terminals from one position.

Reads computer screen icons, alpha / numeric detailed messages, computerized maps, printed maps, teletype print and manuals.

Writes and types messages.

Uses good judgment while working under pressure. Listens to several conversations at same time, one through headset, one with other ear. Radio transmissions may have interference, garbled sounds or persons whispering or screaming. Frequently moves about the dispatch center and reaches and grasps manuals and 3" binders. Opens and shuts 36" lateral files. Microphone activated by either hand or foot controls. Mental agility and excellent memory necessary for multi- tasking. Frequently works rotating shifts. Occasionally may be called in on short notice to work a full or part shift or work an extended (12-hour) shift. Stress can be intense with the demands of flurries of activities and multi-tasking; then adjusting to little activity, and uncertainty of activities. Some computer messages are color-coded but can be learned with extra effort by their position / placement on screen.

Related Job Functions

May perform clerical support services, such as filing, answering inquiries at an information desk outside of the Center, searching files through data processing equipment and providing input.

This job description is not intended to encompass every job duty or responsibility but is only illustrative. This position is required to perform other duties as may be assigned or required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Must have above-average memory.

Must have good hearing, and visual acuity to read and discern lighted equipment, boards, alarm monitoring equipment, etc.

Possess a good radio and telephone voice for clarity and enunciation to assure understanding of related message.

Considerable knowledge of specific locations within the County and cities.

Willingness to work varied shifts and weekends and holidays and long hours in emergency situations.

Must possess the following abilities :

Capable of following procedures as prescribed.

Become familiar with all operations of an emergency dispatch center.

Be alert and to use good judgment often under pressure and stress.

Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

Deal with the public and public-safety personnel courteously and in a business- like fashion, even under stress.

Accuracy in typing and data entry.

Perform a variety of tasks associated with the operation of a computer-aided emergency dispatch center.

Present, describe and summarize information orally using, clear, concise and appropriate language in an organized manner.

Derive the correct meaning from various types of information received orally.

Cope with both periods of inactivity and periods of intense stress.

Training, Experience and Other Requirements

Graduation from an accredited high school, or GED.

Must successfully complete a law enforcement background check suitable for working with public safety responders.

Must satisfactorily complete a prescribed course of training for Telecommunicators and serve a one-year probationary period.

Prior emergency dispatching experience is preferred.

Must be available and willing to work weekends, holidays and all three shifts as needed to provide adequate staff for this 24-hour operation.

Successful candidates for the position must pass a hearing test.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement :

La Crosse County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you need accommodations for a disability during the selection or interview process, please get in touch with Human Resources at jobs@lacrossecounty.org.

Application Process :

All applications must be submitted through our career website. Please ensure your application is complete and accurate,our hiring process highly values attention to detail.