Communications Officer - 911 Dispatcher (Sheriff's Office)

Communications Officers (aka 911 Dispatchers/Telecommunicators) are non-sworn, civilian professionals who work within the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office as key members of the public safety team.

Our Communications Officers are a dynamic team, working in a fast-paced environment where success is defined by public and responder safety. If you're passionate about public safety and helping those in need, we need dedicated professionals to join our team and make an impact on our community. Successful candidates for this position are dedicated to the service and wellbeing of the community and its citizens. The work of the Communications Officer is often interesting, exciting, and can be very rewarding. With the good, there are also aspects of this job that are not for everyone. Callers may be hysterical, intoxicated, irrational, confused, or nearly impossible to understand.

Some may be suicidal, while others may be screaming or directing obscene language at you. Calls can involve violent crimes which are in progress, and you may have to make quick decisions while one or more person’s safety may be at stake. The work environment can be rapid paced and high stressed, lacks consistency, and may be outside of your span of control. Employees may be subjected to harsh criticism. Schedule The Communications Center is a 24/7, 365-day operation that requires shift work, including nights and weekends on a regular basis. You will also be expected to work holidays such as the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Communications Officers are scheduled to work one of three shifts (first, seconds, or thirds). As a new Communications Officer, you will likely be assigned to second or third shift. You will work a rotating schedule of 5 days on – 2 days off, 5 days on – 3 days off. The average workday is 8.25 hours a day, however, some overtime is required in order to cover shifts, with the amount varying based on staffing levels. This overtime can be required before or after a shift, sometimes with little or no notice. Employees have limited choice(s) about which shift they are assigned to work as well as which days they work. During the on-the-job training, employees will be assigned a designated period to work on all shifts. Benefits Lateral transfer consideration for pay. Scheduled Time Off (Vacation) – accrual starts on first day of employment, with time available to use with no waiting period. Use is subject to supervisor approval. Personal Time Off – 64 hours per calendar year (pro-rated for new hires) available for use after 14 days of employment with supervisor approval. Health, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance plans. Wisconsin Retirement pension with optional 457 Deferred Compensation plan. Educational Assistance program. On-site fitness room. Answer emergency and non-emergency requests for assistance by telephone and radio and assign the appropriate resource for assistance. Provide lifesaving medical assistance to emergency callers by giving pre-arrival instructions through Emergency Medical Dispatch program. Prioritize calls to be dispatched, deciding which is most serious. Dispatch emergency and other calls requiring police, fire and/or EMS response according to priority and available field units via a radio console or other electronic means of communication. Maintain strict radio discipline at all times. Operate the Computer Aided Dispatch system including maintaining a record of location of personnel and equipment. Provide essential information and support to field units in emergency and non-emergency situations. Maintain constant contact with patrol officers in the field and remain alert for potential problems or threats to personnel safety. Gather and process critical information through state and national databases via teletype, internet, and other databases. Disseminate motor vehicle, driver’s license, and criminal record information to authorized personnel in accordance with Department policy. Provide lifesaving notifications to the public via weather alerting systems such as the county outdoor warning siren system. Make referrals to appropriate County Departments and outside agencies as required, e.g. other police agencies, support agencies, utility companies, towing companies, highway/street departments, etc. Answer administrative telephone lines and provide assistance the the caller or transfer to appropriate agency personnel or division. Enter or cancel warrants/commitments in the Crime Information Bureau files via the computer terminal. Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to work at times under highly stressful circumstances, while remaining articulate in verbal and written communication, and able to work in a fast-paced environment. Ability to function in a sustained stress environment with the ability to interpret and prioritize incoming and outgoing information by radio, phone, verbal, or written communication. Ability to perform several functions in rapid succession or at the same time. Ability to monitor several conversations at the same time and retain key information relative to the conversations on a short- and long-term basis. Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with staff members and public officials, and ability to deal with the public in a courteous and professional manner. Ability to read maps and give accurate directions to staff members and the public. Geographic knowledge of Walworth County and its surrounding areas. Ability to communicate effectively with the public, citizens, and employees on matters requiring discretion and knowledge. Ability to accept responsibility, make decisions, and effectively prioritize work requiring independent judgment with speed and accuracy; learning, interpreting, and applying organizational policies, laws, rules, and regulations. Ability to research and obtain pertinent information through various resources. Considerable ability and proficiency with computer equipment to process, access, retrieve, or input information using word processing and other standardized software common to the work unit or as assigned. Excellent hand-eye coordination sufficient to operate and view multiple monitors, keyboards, and complex communications equipment in rapid succession or simultaneously. High school diploma or equivalent required prior to date of hire. Prior experience in public safety or customer service preferred. Training and Certifications We will provide you with the training required for you to become a successful Communications Officer. Training is included but not limited to your initial on the job training, Wisconsin TIME System Certification, Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification, and Public Safety Telecommunicator. You must successfully complete these training requirements to maintain employment as a Communications Officer with Walworth County, but we will support you in achieving these. Other training may be provided as required. During the on-the-job training, employees will receive a daily rating of their job performance which may include criticism and performance based feedback. Complete Walworth County Electronic Application Education and Employment History Review Oral Department Interview Pre-psychological, Law Enforcement Suitability Testing Background Investigation Final Interview/Meeting with the Sheriff and/or Undersheriff. Post Offer Psychological Evaluation, Physical Examination, and Drug Screen. Other job-related tests may be required. To learn more about this position, please contact: Communications Operations Manager, Bonnie Douglas at (262) 741-4622 or via email at

bdouglas@co.walworth.wi.us -or- Human Resources Generalist, Lisa Pohl at (262) 741-7949 or via email at

pohl@co.walworth.wi.us

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