911 Dispatcher

Description **While the full salary range for the Emergency Communications Specialist is $22.46 - $37.72 hourly / $46,717 - $78,458 annually, please see below for the anticipated starting salaries. Final salary is based on experience.** ANTICIPATED STARTING SALARY IS $26.42 FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST I. This position is a call taker and requires no experience. The full salary range for an Emergency Communications Specialist I - $22.46 - $32.91 hourly / $46,717.00 - $68,453.00 annually. ANTICIPATED STARTING SALARY IS $25.37 - $35.55 FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST II. This position receives and dispatches calls and requires a minimum of 2 year's experience. The full salary range for an Emergency Communications Specialist II - $26.57 - $37.72 hourly / $52,770.00 - $78,458 annually. These positions will receive annual pay increases based on a step program. Top out in pay may be achieved in seven years.

THE NEXT 911 DISPATCHER ACADEMY WILL BEGIN IN

January 2024

2023 Benefits Summary

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Under the general supervision of an Emergency Communications Supervisor, this position performs critical public contact and communications work necessary for the dispatching of the Agency and related cities services to emergency and non-emergency situations, providing operational data to agency personnel.

Duties

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required:

• Answer emergency and non-emergency calls and requests for law enforcement services, receiving essential information relating to the situation.
• Enters call information into computer aided dispatch equipment (CAD) to dispatch deputies and officers to emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Utilizes computer/teletype systems to query and enter operational data.
• Searches agency files and records to locate and relay operational data and information to agency personnel.
• Uses maps, map books, computerized maps, and the Internet to determine jurisdictions and properly locate call locations.
• Updates patrol line-ups to correctly reflect Patrol personnel on duty and the corresponding assigned vehicle.
• Answers agency business telephone calls; provides routine data and information to telephone inquiries; may transfer/direct inquiries to proper agency staff; may refer telephone calls to responsible outside state, court, agencies, departments, and/or individuals.
• Monitors and updates CAD with the latest information to remain current with call for service activity and officer’s status.
• Monitors alarm systems.
• Conducts and/or participates in daily and monthly equipment and operator testing to include TTY equipment and individual performance.
• Utilizes computer systems to make emergency and non-emergency notifications.
• May assist in conducting training of new Emergency Communication Specialists.
• Operates computers and standard office equipment, including commonly used computer software programs, as well as any other standard office equipment as required by the position.
• Maintains regular and acceptable attendance at such level as determined at the Sheriff’s Office discretion.
• Is available and willing to work such overtime per day or per week as the Sheriff’s Office determines is necessary or desirable to meets its needs.
• Interacts effectively with others and exercises good judgment when dealing with people in sensitive situations.
• May be assigned other duties as necessary.

Requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of street and road systems, geographical patterns and numerical (address) system of Arapahoe County.
• Knowledge of and the ability to operate computer aided dispatch equipment (CAD).
• Knowledge of CCIC/NCIC.
• Ability to work under pressure and utilize stress management skills.
• Excellent multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to listen, talk and type simultaneously.
• Ability to act and react to emergency and/or threatening situations in a manner consistent with the law, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written English.
• Ability to communicate effectively with angry, emotional, and excited persons via telephone.
• Ability to remain calm under urgent circumstances.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Ability to distinguish different auditory tones.
• Ability to track multiple pieces of information at one time and conduct follow-up as necessary.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and the general public.
• Ability to apply sound reasoning and decision-making.
• Ability to operate computers and commonly used computer software programs, as well as any other standard office equipment as required by position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION : High School Diploma or equivalent.

EXPERIENCE : One (1) year of general public safety experience.

OR

Any combination of education and experience that satisfy the requirements of the job as approved by the Sheriff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EXPERIENCE: Public Safety Answer Point experience.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES: Emergency Medical Dispatch certification.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess CPR, AED and First Aid certification within the initial status period.
• Must possess CBI Operator Security Number (OSN) within the initial status period
• Must meet the minimum acceptable level of Keystrokes Per Hour (KPH).
• Must be able to type 37 WPM corrected.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all inclusive.

Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.

Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.

Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery, and writing utensils.
• Constantly involved in oral and auditory interaction, enabling interpersonal communication, including automated devices such as the telephone and radio.
• Spends 90% of the time sitting, 5% standing, and 5% walking while on the job.
• Occasionally stoops, kneels, crouches and balances while filing or operating office machinery.
• Frequently uses visual capacity including depth perception, color vision, and peripheral vision enabling completion of required office duties.
• Occasionally lifts or carries up to 20 lbs. when moving office supplies or files.

Supplemental Information

YOU MUST PROVIDE A CURRENT VALID EMAIL ADDRESS FOR APPLICATION STATUS NOTIFICATIONS (only one email address is accepted by the system).

JOB-RELATED CONTACTS:

Contacts are with individuals within the Sheriff's Office, with other Departments/Organizations, and the general public. Specifically, extensive contact occurs with supervisors and the general public. Personal contact with any individual of the public, an inmate, or an arrestee is an occasional occurrence. Hand-to-hand exchanges and face-to-face verbal communication between the member and the public are seldom required. In this position, contact with blood, bodily fluids, or other medical hazards is extremely uncommon. The member should have adequate time to take precautionary and protective measures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work in this class is sedentary in nature and is generally confined to a standard office environment. Members must be available for a work schedule assignment to include rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays. Extremely stressful environment during peak activity periods demanding full attention and coordination of numerous tasks simultaneously.

401(a) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN:

Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office employees participate in a mandatory defined benefit program designed to help employees establish a source of income for retirement years. Through the Plan, eligible employees must set aside 9.00 percent, which is subject to change in the coming years, on a pretax basis of which the County matches at 9.25%. The County also contributes 6.2% to Social Security.

BIO-HAZARD NOTICE:

This position has been determined to be a MINIMAL exposure risk to "bio-hazards" associated with blood-borne pathogens HIV (aids), HBV (hepatitis B) virus, and air-borne transmissions of TB (tuberculosis). Members are advised that exposure to a "bio-hazard" may result in severe illness or death. Members are required by Agency policy to use protective equipment and clothing. Inoculation may be required to prevent or treat exposures to "bio-hazards".

APPLICANT DISQUALIFICATION FACTORS:

Applicants are advised that areas for disqualification from further consideration include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Illegal Drug Use - The evaluation of marijuana use will be done on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who have used any other illegal drug within the past five (5) years will be disqualified.

• Any felony conviction

• Driving Record - This includes receiving a DUI within the past five (5) years, having your driver's license suspended for any reason within the past five (5) years, and having five (5) or more tickets within the past five (5) years.

• Outside activities which may be deemed a conflict of interest

• Revelation or discovery of assaultive behavior

• Documented record of prior work performance

• Unsuccessful completion of any basic requirement

• Inability to perform the essential functions of the position

• Police history - type, frequency, and nature of contacts(s)

• Providing false or misleading information during the application/selection process

It is the policy of the Sheriff's Office to not discuss the reasons why applicants were not selected for hire. There is no flexibility to this policy. Applicants may be notified of their disqualification at any point in the selection process. If you receive such a notice, it simply means that you do not meet our standards at this time. Receiving this notice does not indicate that you are ineligible to apply with other agencies.

REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS:

The screening process for any position within the Sheriff's Office may include written test(s), an oral interview, skills test(s), and/or other selection methods designed to measure applicants' ability to perform the essential functions of the job they are seeking.

Additional required tests/examinations also include:

• Typing Test: 37 WPM or faster corrected
• CritiCall Test
• Select Advantage Assessment
• Phase 1 Suitability Test
• Polygraph Examination

Additional screening may include:

• Psychological Evaluation
• Medical Examination, including a drug screen
• Background Investigation - This will include, but is not limited to, contact with the applicant's former employers, associates, neighbors, and other pertinent sources. Applicant's military history, school records, police records, and driving record will also be investigated. All examinations are conducted by qualified/licensed individuals designated by the Sheriff's Office at the Sheriff's Office expense.

EXPECTED DURATION OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for the Sheriff's Office, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately six (6) to twelve (12) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.

WORK SCHEDULES:

Employees are required to work the time periods and/or shifts, rotational and/or stationary, and location assignment, consistent with the needs of the Sheriff's Office.

DUTY ASSIGNMENTS:

All applicants hired by the Sheriff serve at the pleasure of the Sheriff of Arapahoe County and may be assigned to any of the agency's bureaus, sections, or units at the discretion of the Sheriff or his duly appointed representative. Employment is at the will and pleasure of the Sheriff, per Colorado State Statute: 30-10-506. Written policies and other manuals do not alter the at-will status of employment.

COMMUNITY POLICING:

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is committed to the implementation of the community-policing concept. Community policing is an organizational strategy and philosophy that emphasizes problem-solving partnerships between the Sheriff's Office, neighborhoods, and businesses working together to create a better quality of life within the community.

INITIAL STATUS PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT:

Successful applicants are subject to an initial status period of employment. This initial status period is twelve (12) months for all positions. The initial status period is regarded as part of the applicant's examination process and will be utilized for purposes of employee evaluation, training, and adjustment to the demands of the profession. New employees, who fail to perform satisfactorily during the period, may be separated from the Sheriff's Office, depending on the circumstance of each case.