Public Safety Dispatcher

*** $10,000 Hiring Bonus for eligible applicants; inquire with hiring manager ***

Juneau is recruiting for Police & Fire Public Safety Dispatchers!

(Remote testing option is available)

APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE AT:

https://juneau.org/human-resources/employment-opportunities

Closing date: Continuous

We are looking for someone who:

• Communicates very well and will provide excellent customer service even in difficult circumstances.
• Remains calm in tense or fast-paced situations and emergencies.
• Has exceptional attendance, reliability, and dependability.
• Has great attention to detail while summarizing and performing data entry.
• Has excellent recall with ability to switch from one task to another in rapid succession.
• Wants to participate in helping the community from behind the scenes.

WORKING HOURS AND LOCATION

This is a full-time union represented position typically working a combination of 8-hour and 12-hour shifts for 40 hours per week. Shifts regularly include work during the evening, overnight, weekends, and holidays. Employees receive extra pay differential when working swing shift (4.5%) and night shift (6.5%). Overtime is paid, and extra leave is granted when working holidays. Work assignments and personal leave are bid and scheduled based on seniority.

The Communications Center is located at the Juneau police station on Alaway Avenue in the Lemon Creek area and has plenty of free, convenient parking available in a secure parking lot.

Typical Responsibilities

You will be answering phones, 9-1-1 lines, managing radio channels, providing customer service, solving problems, sharing information with the public, and tracking all of this activity in a computer-aided dispatch system. Duties quickly fluctuate between performing data entry, talking to callers during their times of need, and making critically important decisions in support of the community, Juneau Police Department, and Capital City Fire/Rescue responders. Most calls for service involve either police, community service, fire, EMS or CARES responders, with some calls getting all of the above.

It is important to be able to work with considerable independence, use good judgment, and take actions based on policy while taking into account different situations and conditions on the fly. Tasks are constantly prioritized, re-evaluated, and re-prioritized. There are times of very heavy workload, and there are also periods of down time when administrative tasks are performed.

THE BENEFITS OF JOINING OUR TEAM

Do you enjoy helping people while working in a fast-paced environment where multitasking is essential and attention to detail is critical? Working as a Public Safety Dispatcher for the Juneau Police Department is a personally rewarding and challenging career that has a significant positive impact on the community.

New dispatchers receive about 7 months of on-the-job training to learn call processing, computer systems, and radio procedures. Dispatchers provide service to the public and to responders over the phone and radio as part of a big team of folks who serve the community. We work together through good times and during crises, emergencies, and difficult events. Most days are fun and challenging. Some are stressful and emotionally draining. Between your coworkers’ support and the structured training program, you will develop coping skills that will help you be able to bounce from the tough calls.

On any given day, dispatchers may start with a parking complaint, then give someone CPR instructions, help solve an argument between a caller and their partner, conduct research and data entry, provide general information about city services, and sometimes we even help to deliver babies over the phone.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: High school graduation or the equivalent.

Experience: Two (2) years of experience providing customer service.

Desired Experience: Six months as a dispatcher or call taker that required simultaneous use of radio or telephone and computer and/or related college hours or successful classroom training in law enforcement, emergency services or fire service dispatching is highly desirable.

Other: At least 18 years of age at time of appointment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $28.74 - $34.11 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Holidays
• Overnight shift

Ability to Relocate:

• Juneau, AK: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $29 - $34