911 Dispatcher

JOB
Benefits: Competitive salary - because saving lives is priceless!Comprehensive health, dental and vision insuranceRetirement savings plan – because heroes deserve a secure future too!Ongoing training to level up your superhero skills.A career with purpose through helping people and giving back to the community!Team atmosphereStarting pay $26.86 per hour, with and additional $.25 - $.50 shift differential pay (depending on the shift) Key Responsibilities: Answer urgent calls from the public and become the lifeline between help and those in need.Swiftly assess emergencies, dispatching the right heroes – police, fire, medical to the rescue!Your quick thinking and precise instructions could be the difference between chaos and calm. Join our team as a 911 Communications Officer and be the lifeline between help and those in need. As a crucial part of our emergency response system, you will receive and prioritize calls, dispatch appropriate services, and provide vital instructions to callers. We’re seeking individuals with strong communication skills, the ability to stay calm under pressure, and familiarity with emergency communications systems. If you’re ready to make a difference and contribute to community safety, apply now! Join us in being the voice of hope in times of crisis.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Essential Duties: These duties represent the typical duties and responsibilities assigned to this position but are not inclusive of all tasks performed.Responsible for comprehensive knowledge of department responsibilities and programs in order to answer general internal and external customer questions; ascertains the appropriate contact within the department or county, or refers to an outside source in an efficient, professional mannerEfficiently and accurately receive, initiate and document telephone, radio and computer communicationsCreate and maintain accurate records providing documentation for all events and occurrences within the Emergency Communications CenterEnter, verify and remove data from multiple proprietary software systems and national databasesEvaluate, prioritize and disseminate information to proper authorities in an efficient and effective mannerRecognize and properly respond to multiple and simultaneous eventsCommunicate at all times in a professional and courteous mannerEffectively present information and respond to questions, including ability to testify in court when necessaryInterpret messages, analyze distance and time periods, and utilize map data to identify addresses and the geographic layout of Polk CountyAdhere to Department's confidentiality policyProvide backup to peers during periods of absence and during peak workloads as directed to meet staffing needs of the 24/7 Emergency Communications CenterFulfills the department's mission and purpose

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must lift or move up to or more than 40 pounds. The employee must be able to work any hours assigned without restriction or limitation. The employee must be able to work continuously through peak call volume for as long as necessary. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to: Frequently exposed to intense level of various and simultaneous activitiesContinual work in close quarters in a secure setting, exposed to artificial light and electronic equipmentThe noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION OUTLINE & TIMELINEThe Polk County Sheriff's Department and the Human Resources Department understands that your time is valuable and regardless of the outcome we appreciate the effort that you have invested in this process. We will update applicants directly electronically via the e-mail address listed on their application regarding the progress of their application, please do not contact our offices directly. The described procedure and outline are subject to modification but serves as a guide to provide the applicant general information relating to the hiring process.Pre-employment assessments to be completed: After the job posting closes, the applicants will be invited via email to take a series of online pre-employment assessments to be completed within the specified timeframe. Any applicant who fails to complete the pre-employment assessments within the allotted timeframe will not be eligible to continue with the next steps of this recruitment process. Following the completion of the pre-employment assessments, applications will be rated using established criteria including the pre-employment assessment, experience, education, work history, etc. The most desirable applicants will proceed to the interview process. Applicants will be contacted via email throughout the recruitment regarding their status in this process.Job shadows will be scheduled: A job shadow experience and panel interview will be scheduled with the top-rated applicants. The job shadow must be scheduled prior to the interview date and the top-rated candidates will be notified via email of the details to self-schedule this step along with the interview. The interviews are consistent with each applicant and fairly formal. The applicant's response to predetermined questions will be rated by the interview panel and by consensus placed into one of two categories: eligible for hire and not eligible for hire. It is anticipated that oral interviews will be at the Polk County Sheriff's Department located at the Polk County Justice Center.Interviews will be scheduled on June 3, 2026Following the Interviews: The interview panel, under the direction of the Sheriff will select the candidate considered to be the most qualified and advantageous to the department's goals and most likely to be consistent with the department's mission.The department will conduct a background investigation on the selected candidate.A candidate will either be eliminated, or a conditional job offer made to the candidate.An offer of employment is made contingent upon the successful completion of a psychological evaluation.Provided the candidate satisfies the contingencies a start date will be determined.The recruitment and selection process often takes several months to complete. Many times, the department must put the process on hold to tend to other business. Your patience is appreciated. We promise that should you be selected to join our department; you will not be disappointed. Polk County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.