at Ada County Sheriff's Office in Boise, Idaho, United States
Job Description
General Summary
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*Please note that the academy start date for this position is tentatively scheduled for MAY 2026.
**THIS POSTING APPLIES TO LATERAL APPLICANTS ONLY. Applicants must have at least two (2) years of current experience working in public safety emergency communication focused center providing law enforcement, medical and fire dispatch services & must be POST Certified as a Dispatcher to qualify as a lateral transfer. Applicants who don’t meet this requirement should apply under the 911 Public Safety Communications Dispatcher posting. See Pay Plan below.
Pay Plan for Dispatcher Positions
Job Summary
Responds to incoming law enforcement, fire suppression and Emergency Medical Services calls and dispatches appropriate personnel to the place of emergency or need. Dispatchers, when necessary, refer to written guidelines, manuals, policies that require judgment and interpretation and refer complex problems to the Communications Floor Supervisor.
***The next 911 Communications Dispatch Academy is set to begin in late MAY 2026. This position is posted several months in advance to allow applicants sufficient time to complete all required steps, including CritiCall testing, oral board interviews, a background investigation (which includes a polygraph exam), and to provide notice to their current employers if selected. (APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE EMAIL NOTIFICIATION IF THEY ARE SELECTED FOR TESTING &/OR ORAL BOARDS.)
After being invited, qualified applicants will be invited to sign-up for various testing and interview dates. These are scheduled through NEO Gov.’s self-scheduling system and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign-up deadlines will apply, so early registration is strongly encouraged to secure a spot.
Essential Functions
- Operates telephone and radio equipment to receive and transmit incoming/outgoing emergency calls to the Police/Fire/Emergency Services Dispatch Center.
- Interviews callers to obtain detailed information related to the emergency.
- Provides emergency information and direction to callers as required.
- Determines the classification of requests for service and the priority nature of the request.
- Dispatches appropriate agencies and personnel to address the need for service.
- Maintains communication with caller and emergency personnel to receive and update information.
- Provides continuing communications among police, fire fighting and other emergency personnel during the incident.
- Contacts utility companies, other governmental or private agencies when necessary to obtain needed services or additional support.
- Works and maintains eligibility to work all shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, whether assigned or on an as needed or on-call basis.
- Operates technical electronic equipment, computers, office equipment or appliances.
- Ability to talk and listen to a caller utilizing a single ear headset while using their free ear to listen to related information or requests from others.
- Ability to talk and listen to a caller while simultaneously answering and providing to emergency responders on a side channel.
- Quick processing time and strong listening skills out of both ears are required to navigate the balance of phone and radio traffic concurrently.
- Quickly and accurately logs and maintains a variety of data and records on incidents dispatched, radio and alarm tests, hydrant maintenance, street names, address, and map coordinates.
Additional Functions
- May perform necessary preventive or minor maintenance functions on certain equipment in the dispatch office.
- Notifies responsible parties when radios or alarms malfunction.
- Field surveys streets to locate hydrants and identify changes necessary for maintaining up-to-date street maps.
- Performs related functions as required.
Job Requirements
- Accredited high school diploma or state-recognized equivalency certificate (such as a GED) required.
- Must be a citizen of the United States & be at least 18 years of age at the time of application:
- Must have at least two (2) years of current experience working in public safety emergency communication focused center providing law enforcement, medical and fire dispatch services.
- Must be POST certified as an Emergency Communications Officer.
- Ability to operate telephone and radio equipment.
- Ability to work with a high degree of accuracy under pressure of time, and amidst distractions.
- Ability to listen and understand callers who are under stress.
- Ability to react quickly and calmly in receiving and transmitting multiple emergency messages
- Ability to communicate clearly and distinctly verbally and in writing.
- Ability to analyze emergency situations, determine and take proper action quickly and objectively.
- Ability to relate well with the public under adverse conditions and stressful situations.
- Ability to read city and county road and water maps to quickly locate streets, addresses and hydrants.
- Ability to record accurately and legibly, details of activities and provide information.
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions; and operate a computer keyboard.
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships.
Other Requirements
- Candidates appear before an oral board; and complete a polygraph, background investigation, and credit check prior to reporting for duty.
- Must obtain and maintain a valid driver's license.
- This position has been designated safety sensitive and therefore the incumbent is subject to random drug testing.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- Work is performed in an office environment and requires a combination of sitting and standing at a desk for long periods of time, up to ten hours.
- Requires frequent repetitive movement of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
- Occasionally requires the employee to reach below, at or above shoulder level and to lift to 20 lbs.
Disclaimer
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. Ada County provides Veteran's Preference for all County jobs except for those deemed "key positions" in accordance with Title 65, Chapter 5 of Idaho Code.
