Emergency Services Dispatcher

Imagine if you were given an opportunity to connect with others who want to keep our community the most livable and safe it can possibly be. If you like fast paced work, you may be a great addition to our Emergency Services Dispatch team. Make a difference with the City of Hutchinson!

An Emergency Communications Dispatcher receives emergency and non-emergency calls from the public requesting police, emergency medical, fire suppression or other services within Reno County. This position is primarily responsible for obtaining the critical information needed to ensure proper and timely response to emergency and non-emergency situations.

The position must work within the complexity of the different guidelines provided by multiple user departments and is responsible for making complex decisions based on availability and type of response units, location, system status and many other judgment factors. This position performs emergency and non-emergency dispatching duties for 42 entities, including all fire, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel in Hutchinson and Reno County.

Environment Conditions & Physical Demands

Dispatchers continuously weigh and evaluate large volumes of information and consider numerous factors in determining the appropriate responses to requests such as: nature of the incident, proper response agency, availability of resources, potential safety of the caller and response personnel, geographic location of incident, emotional and physical condition of caller, and criminal involvement. One or more persons' safety and/or life may be dependent upon these decisions.

Dispatchers must report for duty as ordered in emergencies such as severe weather or disasters, regardless of personal considerations. Because the Emergency Communications Center must be staffed at all times, mandatory overtime may be assigned at any time with little or no advance notice or vacation time may be declined due to the minimum staffing levels. Dispatchers may be assigned to either a day or night shift and their assigned shift and/or days off may be changed to meet the operational requirements of the Department.

Work is performed in a secure windowless facility. Work environment is often noisy and distracting and the employee must be able to concentrate on their jobs for extended time periods while other personnel are taking calls, people are walking around them, and conversations are taking place in close proximity to them. Due to unpredictable workload, regular work and meal breaks are not scheduled and may be taken only if the workload allows. In addition to the above, with or without reasonable accommodation, employees in this job must possess sufficient:

• Clarity of speech and hearing which permits the employee to listen and respond to radio transmissions and voice instructions; to communicate effectively in person, on the telephone and two-way radios; ability to hear sounds within the normal range of conversation (phone conversations, co-workers, supervisor, and radio traffic) and to hear in the presence of noise.
• Visual discrimination and perception needed for distinguishing the difference between colors on maps and specialized communications equipment and to see detailed objects on printed materials and/or computer screens.
• Manual dexterity which permits the employee to operate control mechanisms such as radio knobs and other mechanisms requiring fine adjustments to position, to handle a variety of records and files, to type with speed and accuracy, and to operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer.
• Personal mobility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to stand or sit for long periods of time, move between work stations, lift up to 25 pounds and operate in an office environment.

Supplemental Information

Automatic Disqualifiers for Hutchinson Police Department - Emergency Services Dispatch Applicants

At the time of your submission of this Application for Employment, a criminal history check will be conducted by the Hutchinson Police Department and your background will be closely examined. Failure to meet any of the following requirements will result in immediate disqualification:

• A) No convictions(s), expunged conviction(s), or placement on diversion by any state of the federal government for a crime which is a felony or its equivalent under the uniform code of military justice;
• B) No convictions(s), expunged convictions(s), or placement on diversion by any state or federal government for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or its equivalent under the uniform code of military justice;
• C) Is the holder of a high school diploma or furnishes evidence of successful completion of an examination indicating and equivalent achievement;
• D) Is of good moral character;
• E) Satisfies all requirements set forth by the City of Hutchinson
• F) If military service has been rendered, DD214 must reflect a separation code and an honorable discharge or a discharge under honorable conditions;
• G) Not falsified, intentionally misrepresented, or have not been completely truthful or have not fully disclosed ALL information requested on a questionnaire, document, or application as part of the pre-employment process;
• H) Has not been convicted of, plead guilty or no contest to, or received diversion on serious traffic violation within the past five years. Serious traffic violations include, but not limited to DIU, reckless driving, hit and run, vehicular homicide, and eluding a police officer.
• I) Has not been convicted of a crime involving an act of dishonesty, to include but not limited to theft, insufficient funds (checks), fraud, false police reports, etc. If convicted as a juvenile of any of these listed acts, each case will be reviewed to determine if it disqualifies you for further employment consideration.

It is important that you truthfully and thoroughly answer all questions contained in this Application for Employment including but not limited to any criminal and dishonest conduct. The disclosure of criminal conduct, dishonest conduct, or civil litigation on this application will not necessarily result in your rejection for employment.

Please be advised that if disqualified, our agency may not be able to share the specific records resulting in your disqualification due to federal and state regulations. However, we will direct you to the applicable law enforcement agency to retrieve and potentially solve any disputes.

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

• Answer incoming 911 telephone calls and non-emergency telephone calls; Evaluate the need for Police, Fire and Medical services by determining the exact nature of each incident, geographic location, governmental jurisdiction, and priority designation to be relayed to appropriate dispatchers.
• Dispatches calls on the appropriate channel, enters appropriate information into a computer aided dispatch system, forwards to appropriate agencies, and maintains accurate status and location of field units.
• Establishes communication with the caller and maintains control of the conversation by dispensing pre-arrival and lifesaving instructions and explaining self-help methods to citizens according to established procedures while responding units are enroute.
• Assumes responsibility for dispersing weather watches and warnings, and notifies appropriate personnel; Fields questions, concerns, and complaints from the general public; Monitors the in-house security video system, weather monitor, and alarm system; Performs clerical duties including typing, filling, and photocopying.
• Processes requests from law enforcement personnel to check for wants, warrants, driver status, previous convictions and criminal history; confirm warrants and signed complaints. Contact other agencies, hospitals or other service providers as needed. Operates NCIC and the related computer systems; enter data; retrieve pertinent information; relay information to emergency personnel.
• Takes and dispatches calls for the Water, Sewer, Street departments, and Animal Control; Performs computer and data entry duties; Maintains department records, logs and files; Operates and maintains tape and taped records.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED FOR SUCCESS:

• EDUCATION: A high school diploma or GED is required
• EXPERIENCE: Similar or related experience is preferred. Employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably within 6 months of employment.
• CERTIFICATION: A National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Certification is required within 6 months of employment, Certification as a Medical Dispatcher and CPR training is desired.

BENEFITS:

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Flexible spending accounts: Medical & Dependent Care
• Retirement: KPERS & 457 Retirement Savings Plan
• Insured Disability
• Life Insurance & Optional Voluntary Life Insurance
• Death Benefit
• Service Connected Death
• Vacation Leave, Sick Leave & City Designated Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program

The City of Hutchinson employs over 400 employees that serve our community every day. City employees make Hutchinson a great place to live, work, and play. We take pride in our work, and it shows. Come be a part of a workforce that makes a difference! We're always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team.

City of Hutchinson is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.