Salary : $50,876.80 – $65,395.20 Annually
Location : Kenosha, WI
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2023-11
Department: Communications
Opening Date: 09/18/2023
Closing Date: 10/27/2023 4:00 PM Central
Career Description
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: The 911 telecommunicator provides dispatch and communications operations for law enforcement and emergency service agencies in Kenosha County. The telecommunicator is responsible for answering emergency and non-emergency calls from the public; dispatching the proper agencies in response to those calls and aids in coordinating the agencies in accomplishing their official duties. Employees in this position normally work specific shifts that cover a 24 hour period. Work is performed under the general direction of a communications manager and shift supervisors. This position is subject to a background investigation process and you may or may not qualify for this position. This position is subject to mandatory overtime hours.
Duties, Responsibilities and Requirements
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (not limited to) Operates radios, telephones, computers, TIME System and other electronic communications equipment; gathers emergency and non-emergency related information; determines actions, assists callers, and dispatches appropriate responses; maintains logs and records; provides information to service units and agencies; and obtains certification from the State of Wisconsin Crime Information Bureau as a TIME System operator and maintains certification.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects; work requires reaching, bending, walking, lifting, fingering, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; 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; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operation of machines, detecting color differences, and determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work. The worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.
OTHER REQUIRED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Monitors public safety alarms, weather and emergency situations; activates warning systems, pagers, sirens, and notifies persons or agencies of needs or problems; assists in training and performs any other duties required.
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
(not limited to) The ability to read, write, and speak English fluently; speak clearly; hear and understand radio, telephone, and verbal communications; vision capable of reading documents and operating the equipment in the work area; ability to enter data on a keyboard, sit for long periods of time and work in an enclosed area; ability to remain in control and work under stressful situations; ability to mentally retain information on a short and long term basis; ability to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions and to think and react quickly in all types of situations; ability to organize and execute assigned tasks; ability to compile, analyze, record and assemble data and information in a meaningful and effective manner and make good decisions and judgments; ability to perform several functions in rapid succession or at the same time; ability to tactfully and courteously communicate with callers in emergency situations and/or altered mental states; ability to learn and operate various types of equipment used in the assigned duties; ability to learn and apply the proper methods, techniques, procedures, rules, regulations, and policies governing call taking for multiple agencies.
All applicants are required to pass a series of qualifying tests including but not limited to a written examination and/or aptitude test designed to determine suitability for position, data entry test, oral interview, records and background investigation; psychological examination and physical examination inclusive of a drug screening. All qualifying applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, sex, national origin, handicap, or political affiliation.
Training and Experience
Must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. and at least one year of responsible work experience. In lieu of one year of responsible work experience, any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.
Board Approved May 28, 2019
Employees of Kenosha Joint Services may participate in a wide-range of benefits such as: Free Health and Dental Insurance, vacation and paid sick leave. Voluntary vision and disability insurance is available. We also offer group life insurance and retirement contributions through the Wisconsin Retirement System. Social Security benefits are provided.
The following positions receive additional benefits as noted:
- 911 Telecommunicators receive hourly shift premiums and, after training, an additional hourly premium upon completion of Emergency Medical Dispatching certification.
- Records Clerks, Records Supervisors and Identification Technicians receive hourly shift premiums.
- Automotive Fleet Technicians may be eligible for reimbursement up to $225 per calendar year for the purchase of approved hand tools used in the performance of their duties and $100 per calendar year for the purchase of approved footwear.
Eligible employees may, on an annual basis, elect to participate in a Flexible Spending Account program defined as a medical reimbursement account and/or a dependent care reimbursement account.
Please note: If the position being advertised is noted as PART-TIME, there are no associated benefits except as noted in this section. Part-time employees will receive Social Security benefits, basic group life insurance and retirement contributions to the Wisconsin Retirement System.
All employees may elect to defer part of their income into a retirement plan. This deferred income is exempt from State and Federal income taxes until it is withdrawn at retirement or upon termination of employment.
An Employee Assistance Program, a confidential program offering employees the opportunity to talk with a professional consultant to help them resolve problems, is available for all employees regardless of status. Kenosha Joint Services recognizes its employees to be a valuable and important asset and that sometimes employees experience difficulties that are too complex to manage on their own.
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Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?
- Yes
02
The minimum qualifications of this position include the following: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application and are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Are you able to meet the requirements listed? If you answer ‘no’ to this question, it will reflect that you do not meet the minimum qualifications for this position and you will not be further considered throughout the selection process.
- Yes
- No
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Candidates selected to participate in this process must successfully complete a background check. Please list any issue(s) which may prevent you from passing a background check. If there are no issues of concern, you may indicate “no issues”.
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Experience has shown that many applicants for the 911 TELECOMMUNICATOR position consider only the positive aspects of the job while ignoring some of its less attractive features. As a result, when new employees encounter negative job features, they sometimes react by leaving the job well before training is completed (sometimes after a few months). Early resignations resulting from lack of complete job knowledge contribute to a much higher than desirable attrition rate among 911 telecommunicator trainees.While there are many satisfying, rewarding aspects to the 911 telecommunicator position and there is no question that 911 telecommunicators make significant contributions to the welfare and safety of their fellow citizens, it is important for all applicants to carefully consider both the negative and positive features of a new career before considering the position.The job factors listed here are features of the 911 telecommunicator position about which many applicants are unaware. If any of these items present problems for you, we strongly suggest you consider alternate employment choices which may better fit your career goals.Please read and consider the following features noted for this position.WORKING ENVIRONMENT1. Employees may be unable to physically leave the work-site (i.e. walk around, use the restroom, get coffee, etc.) at any time other than two 15-minute breaks and a 20-minute lunch scheduled dependent upon the workload.2. Employees may be unable to schedule their own lunch or rest breaks.3. Employees may have a very limited opportunity to talk with their fellow workers during the work shift.4. Employees work within an organization structured on a “military” model. For example, working through a highly structured “chain-of-command”, having all phone and radio activities monitored and/or recorded and having a disciplinary policy.5. Employees may be regularly reminded of errors and mistakes.6. Employees work at a rapid pace over which they have little control.7. Employees are required to maintain intense concentration and attention for extended periods.8. During training, employees receive a daily rating of their job performance which may include criticism.9. Employees work at a radio console and enter data to a computer terminal for a full shift.10. Employees may be required to work different shifts and work weekends on a regular basis.11. Employees may be required to work holidays such as Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and other holidays.12. Employees may need to obtain child care for first, second or third shift working hours.13. Employees may need to obtain child care for weekends and holidays on a regular basis.14. Employees may be required to work overtime, before or after a shift, sometimes with little or no notice.15. Employees have limited choice(s) about which shift they are assigned to work and which days they work.16. During on-the-job training, employees may be assigned for a period of time to work on all shifts.17. Employees work in a high stress environment.18. Employees may be criticized by citizens and/or officers.TYPES OF CALLS19. Employees answer telephone calls where someone may be screaming at them or directing obscene language at them.20. Employees answer telephone calls from suicidal subjects.21. Employees answer and respond to telephone calls where the caller may be hysterical, intoxicated, irrational, confused or nearly impossible to understand.22. Employees answer and respond to rescue and fire calls and give medical instruction over the phone.23. Employees answer and respond to calls where a violent crime is in progress.24. Employees make quick decisions on which one or more person’s safety may be at stake.25. Employees prioritize calls to be dispatched, deciding which is most serious.26. Employees may need to tell someone who expects police service that their problem does not require police unit response.I HAVE READ AND CONSIDERED THE FEATURES NOTED FOR THIS POSITION. If you answer ‘No’ to this question, it will reflect that you did not read and consider the noted features for this position and you will not be further considered throughout the selection process.
- Yes
- No
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By typing your full First and Last name, you are signing this application electronically.
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