Are you looking for the opportunity to make a positive difference in the community? The time has come to join our dedicated and dynamic team!
The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology.
In striving to accomplish our mission, we will embody our core values with great PRIDE:
-Professionalism through an elite and diverse team of trained men and women
-Respect for ourselves and others through our words and actions
-Integrity through adherence to standards and values that merit public trust
-Dedication to our colleagues, our values, and to the service of others
-Equality through fair and unprejudiced application of the law
Position Highlights:
The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection is recruiting for Dispatcher Trainees.
The location and schedule of these positions will be determined upon hire.
Candidates who fill these positions will participate in a 6 - 8 week, Monday thru Friday, first shift schedule Dispatcher Training Program at the Connecticut State Police Academy in Meriden, CT. During the time at the Dispatcher Training Academy, all required training and certifications will be obtained.
Portions of the Dispatcher Training may be performed in an online/virtual setting due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Upon graduating from the Dispatcher Training Academy, candidates will start at their assigned location, 30 working days with an experienced Dispatcher (Learning Troop Specific Skills)
Candidates can expect to work a rotating 5 "on" 3 "off" schedule with a variety of shifts at their assigned work location. There may be opportunities to work overtime, perform "shift swaps" and perform extra duty assignments.
After 6 months of successful completion of your working test period and completing all aspects of training, you will automatically be upgraded to a DESPP Dispatcher. At that time your salary will be $2,011.38 bi-weekly and $52,497 yearly.
Please view the video below to learn more about Public Safety Dispatchers within the State of Connecticut:
Bank holidays worked, shift differential for working evenings, midnights, weekends and overtime
Six (6) of the twelve (12) state holidays are considered premium holidays (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) and dispatchers have the option to request pay out for them
Special duty assignments (ex. working Rentschler Field during activities)
If you are a certified EMT, you get an annual $400 "skills premium" for the life of the contract
Successful candidates will have the ability to:
Calm individuals in crisis
Make split second decisions
Gather and disseminate information clearly, accurately and rapidly in urgent situations
Multi-task between the telephone, radio and various computer systems
Maintain composure and function under stress in an emergency situation
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others
Read and speak English in a clear and effective tone of voice
Hear clearly and discern a variety of audible communications and signals simultaneously
Understand and knowledgeable with computers, typing, data input and be comfortable with technology
Candidates must be able to work:
Mandatory overtime with little to no notice
Weekends and holidays
Rotating schedule
First, second and third shift
Report to work during hazardous weather or other emergencies
Selection Plan
Candidates selected for interview must provide the following at the time of interview:
State Employees:
Two (2) most recent performance evaluations
Completed CT-HR-13
Non State Employees:
Two (2) letters of professional reference from a current and/or previous supervisor
Completed CT-HR-13
Click here CT-HR-13 to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum. The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS website http://portal.ct.gov/das by typing in "CT-HR-13" into the "Search Department of Administrative Services" search field.Failure to provide the required documents listed above or submit your application accurately and on time, will eliminate you from the recruitment process.
Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history records check along with reference checks. Employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Also considered in this selection process, any pending or disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records.Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment physical exam.
This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.
For questions concerning this job opportunity, please contact Chastity Delillo within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Human Resources office atchastity.delillo@ct.gov.
For technical support regarding the filing of your application in JobAps, please contact Erica McGuinness aterica.mcguinness@ct.gov
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection this class is accountable for receiving class room and on-the-job training in providing a communications link between law enforcement, emergency services and the general public.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Receives on-the-job training in answering calls from the public and responding to complaints and emergency situations by assisting in the dispatching of troopers to incidents within their jurisdiction; receives training in operating communications equipment; assists in contact of appropriate authorities; assists Department of Emergency Services and Pubic Protection Dispatcher by researching information for troopers on matters such as stolen vehicles and criminal records; receives training and assists with monitoring radio frequencies and dispatching backup assistance to other police departments when needed; assists with maintaining records of communications received; receives training to record, code and enter pertinent law enforcement information and daily activity data into computer terminals and manual logs; completes various law enforcement forms; provides general information to the public; performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Some knowledge of and ability to operate communications equipment; knowledge of basic first aid and safety procedures; interpersonal skills; computer keyboarding skills; ability to think and act quickly in emergency situations with judgment and discretion; ability to speak proper English and to enunciate clearly; ability to follow oral and written instruction; ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information; ability to maintain manual and electronic records.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
One (1) year of experience in the dispatching of emergency vehicles and responding to 911 calls.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience multi-tasking assignments, projects and other day to day activities
Experience in high-stress situations in a professional work environment
Experience extracting critical information from individuals in crisis
Experience exercising a high degree of good judgment and independence while evaluating emergency and non-emergency situations
Experience making split-second decisions in a professional work environment
Experience gathering and disseminating information clearly, accurately and rapidly in urgent situations
Experience operating a wide variety of computers, radios and recording equipment
Experience in viewing security footage (internal/external camera systems)
Bi-lingual candidates encouraged
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Incumbents in this class must successfully complete the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Connecticut State Police Dispatcher Training Certificate Program. 2. Incumbents in this class must receive certification as a Telecommunicator within three (3) months of appointment. 3.. Incumbents in this class must receive certification in NCIC and COLLECT systems within three (3) months of appointment. 4. Incumbents in this class may be required to work a schedule that includes weekends, evenings and holidays. 5. Incumbents in this class must possess a high school diploma or certification of having passed the General Educational Development (GED) examination.
CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the checking of references and facts stated in the application a thorough background investigation of each candidate will be made before persons are certified for appointment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
A physical examination may be required by the appointing authority. Applicants for this class must possess normal hearing and vision.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbents in this class may be required to work in tiring positions for long periods of time in a stressful environment.
Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.