3/9/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

We are looking for an experienced Emergency Communications Dispatcher to join our team as a lateral. A career in emergency communications is exciting and rewarding. As part of the public safety team, the successful candidate will contribute to the safety and welfare of fellow emergency responders and the citizens of both Benton and Franklin counties. Please consider the information below when determining if this is a career for you.

Important qualities required:

• Ability to multitask.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent hearing.
• Decision-making skills.
• Empathy – strong desire to help others.
• Listening skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Typing skills.
• Good knowledge of English language.
• Stress tolerance.
• Self-control.
• Dependability.
• Integrity.
• Adaptability. Must be able to work varied hours and rotating schedules.

Positive aspects of the job:

• Good benefits.
• Competitive wages.
• Secure future.
• Work in a team environment with close working relationships.
• Very rewarding work.
• Satisfaction in knowing you made a difference.
• Become a hero in your community.

Fixed facts of the job (some would consider these the challenges of the job):

• Training is lengthy and intensive – usually eight months.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.
• Required to work different shifts in a 24-7, 365-day work environment.
• Limited flexibility in schedule.
• Likelihood of working many holidays – possibly delaying personal events.
• Schedule may conflict with personal functions and events.
• Required to work scheduled and unscheduled overtime.
• Must have working phone available for contact at any time.
• Required to follow dispatch center policies.
• Must be able to remain at a console workstation for extended periods.
• Work within a chain of command.
• All work is recorded.
• Work in high stress environment.
• Must maintain emotions during chaotic incidents.
• Ability to learn multiple agency response area and local geography.
• Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality of all work incidents.
• Ability to utilize multiple computer screens and keyboards while operating phone lines and radios (multitasking).
• High level of concentration and room awareness required.
• Ability to abstain from marijuana and other illegal drug use while employed with the City of Richland.

Dispatching is often compared to being an Air Traffic Controller – very stressful. Part of our training is to learn to cope with that stress and take care of ourselves.

Some types of calls we deal with (and are trained to handle) include:

• Routine calls of crimes not occurring at the time of the call.
• Call of crimes occurring during the time of the call.
• Calls from people who are intoxicated, hysterical, irrational, confused, demanding, or screaming at you, people threatening suicide, having a minor or serious medical issue, victims of violent crimes, or reporting a lost child or a lost animal.
• Use technology and interview skills to determine callers location should they be unable to provide it.

There is no way to cover everything an Emergency Communications Dispatcher does every day – every day is something new and usually exciting. We encourage you to arrange for a voluntary sit-in with a dispatcher to let you see what this job really entails.

Minimum Qualifications

• Three (3) years of call taking or dispatching experience in a combined 9-1-1 Communications Center.
• Criteria Based Dispatching (CBD) certification.
• Prior work experience utilizing VESTA telephone systems and Integraph Public Safety Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD).
• A Central Computerized Enforcement Service System (ACCESS) I or state equivalent certification upon hire date.
• Knowledge of Benton County, Franklin County, and Walla Walla Fire District #5 streets, locations, and landmarks.
• Excellent oral communication skills to include a clear and confident speaking voice with good diction.
• Demonstrated background providing excellent customer service with tact, patience, and courtesy while maintaining a calm and professional demeanor with callers who may be verbally abusive, emotionally upset, uncooperative, or frightened.

Desirable Qualifications

Final selection will be made based on qualifications and a skills testing process. Be advised that prior to working in this position for the City, and on a regular basis while employed in this position, you are required to obtain and maintain certification in use of state and federal law enforcement databases and/or to be granted access to City facilities that house confidential criminal justice information.

Final candidate(s) selected will be required to successfully complete and pass a comprehensive background/reference process to include: job suitability testing, integrity interview, fingerprinting, polygraph, psychological evaluation, and a pre-employment physical examination (including drug/alcohol screening) commensurate to the position.