POSITION OBJECTIVE:
The role of the Dispatcher 1 is to work with citizens, first responders, and emergency services personnel during
emergencies and non-emergencies in a collaborative effort to protect the lives, health, safety, and property of the
public. The Dispatcher 1 uses problem solving, independent judgment, and agency missions to determine the proper
responses, while demonstrating the ability to monitor, report, and respond to Officer Safety concerns.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Answer emergency 9-1-1 calls and non-emergency telephone calls from the public, triages the call and rapidly
analyzes the information to calculate the appropriate response.
• Research and perform data analysis of information from local, state and federal records systems and databases.
Evaluate and interpret the obtained information to identify potential danger and risk to public safety personnel.
Determine the appropriate course of action based on the analysis of the information received.
• Expeditiously review, interpret, analyze and prioritize law enforcement calls or requests for service applying
agency missions, standard operating procedures, profession best practices and independent judgement to
determine the most appropriate resource for response.
• Correctly process emergency medical calls and prepare them for dispatch.
• Demonstrate the ability to maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, members of various user
agencies, organizations, and the public.
• Demonstrate the ability to interpret oral and written communications, and apply independent judgement and
problem-solving techniques during stressful situations.
• Demonstrate the ability to stay calm and composed and use strong customer service skills to de-escalate highly
stressful and emotional situations.
• Demonstrate active listening and communication skills.
• Maintain compliance with all County policies and procedures.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by a supervisor
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
• High School diploma or GED required.
• Keyboard/typing minimum 30 wpm.
• Read, write and clearly speak English.
• Must successfully pass a position-related specialized skill test.
• Must be free of felony convictions.
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation.
• Must be a US Citizen.
• Must pass hearing test and drug screening.
• Attain certification in National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database system (provided on the position).
• Attain and maintain Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) certification (provided on the position).
• Attend and successfully complete the 80 hour South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy 9-1-1
certification training within 1 year of employment (provided on the position).
• Attend and successfully complete 200 hours of classroom training in basic call taking skills, computer aided
dispatch operations, and general public safety answering point operations (provided on the position).
• Successfully completes 200 hours of supervised field training in emergency call taking skills, computer aided
dispatching skills, and public safety answering point operations (provided on the position).
• Must successfully complete 24 hours of classroom training in Emergency Medical Dispatching from the
International Academies of Emergency Dispatch
• Must successfully complete 40 hours of field training in Emergency Medical Dispatching.
• Attain and maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification through the American Heart Association
(provided on the position).
• Must achieve and maintain International Academies of Emergency Dispatch accreditation level scoring on
emergency medical calls.
• Must successfully complete 12 hours of continuing education on emergency medical dispatching annually.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid South Dakota driver license.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
• Work is performed in a dispatch center while seated in front of multiple computers for the duration of an 8-hour
or 12-hour shift where noise and interruptions frequently occur.
• Must be available to work rotating shifts including days, afternoons, nights, weekends and holidays and
overtime hours may be required to meet operational needs.
• Some travel may be required for training.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential position functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and
other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and
local standards.
• Must be able to frequently move about in the office and use manual dexterity needed to operate a computer,
telephone and radio
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position, answer phone calls, and perform data entry and/or keyboarding
for the duration of an 8-hour or 12-hour shift
• Must be physically capable of working rotating day and night shifts 24/7, day and night, rotating shifts
• Must be able to move up to 20 pounds unassisted, and move 40 pounds with assistance.
• Must be able to accurately communicate clearly and effectively on telephone, radio, in-person and in writing.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES in support of County Emergency Services Communications Center
Essential Functions
• Evaluate situations to determine if the utilization of Crisis Intervention (CIT) methods are needed in order to
deescalate situations prior to the arrival of Law Enforcement. Performs CIT methods as needed.
• Evaluate situations and determines if pre-arrival instructions to ensure caller and scene safety are appropriate.
Administer pre-arrival instructions as needed.
• Maintain, update and validate information to ensure the accuracy of local databases and records information
• Demonstrate knowledge of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and is able to query, interpret
responses, and effectively communicate the information to field units – to include:
o Vehicle Registrations
o Driver’s License Status / History
o Criminal History
o Wanted Persons
o Officer Safety items
o Endangered Missing Persons
o Runaways
o Stolen Vehicles
o Stolen Articles
• Analyze and interpret active warrants. Communicates warrant information to responders and confirms the
validity of a warrant with the originating jurisdiction.
• Coordinate responses with neighboring jurisdictions and Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs.)
This position specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive duties of the
position. Incumbents may be required to follow any other instructions, and to perform any other related duties, as may
be required.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
• Call Processing
• Geography
• Radio Operations
• Technical Ability
• Professionalism
• Attendance
• Attitude
• Customer Service
• Communication
• Multi-tasking
• Teamwork
Benefits
The following benefit programs are available to eligible employees:
Health, dental, RX, vision and life insurance
11 paid holidays annually
80 hours of paid vacation your first year, 160 paid vacation hours after the second year.
80 paid sick hours annually.
South Dakota State Retirement System pension, 6% employer match, vested after 3 years.
$20,000 employer-paid employee life coverage.
Employee assistance program
Starting pay $25.51 per hour with an addition $2.00 for every hour worked between 6pm and 6am. PLUS, regular opportunities for overtime. Time and a half pay on Holidays. Training advancement opportunities that will also increase your wage.
Other great programs and benefits include:
Connections Employee Assistance Program
Chaplain Program
Employee referral program
Onsite Gym
YMCA discounts
Time of Service Bonus
Paid bereavement Leave
English 
Spanish