Now Hiring!!!

Position title:
Communications Operator

Status:
Full-time position

Salary range:
$34,075.86 - $53,347.87 annually
Highest entry-level salary of $40,259.86 annually for incumbents with two years of continuous full-time law enforcement dispatch work experience or a bachelor's degree or higher, or four years of active-duty military experience.

Department:
Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office

Division:
Central Dispatch

Grade:
56

Union affiliation:
POAM

FLSA status:
Non-exempt

Deadline date to apply:
Open until filled

Job Summary:

Employees in this job classification should have knowledge of counseling, crisis management, the legal system, and social service agencies and the services they provide. Specific procedures and guidelines for handling situations are available, but the nature of the work requires the exercise of good judgment in determining the most appropriate course of action. Employees operate in a multi-agency central dispatch center and are responsible for:

• Receiving emergency and non emergency calls for service
• Dispatching for four (4) local police agencies to emergency and non- emergency calls
• Operating and monitoring multiple radio channels
• Maintaining required records which includes composing and editing information on a computer. Potential employees must be able to use Microsoft Office applications
• Utilizing a computer aided-dispatch (CAD) system
• Utilizing other computer interfaces including LEIN, NCIC, NLETS

Work Environment:

The Communications Operator position is a seven (7) day per week, twenty-four (24) hour per day operation. Work schedules will include nights, weekends, holidays and unanticipated overtime.  Communication Operators are required to work a flexible work schedule.

Applicant must meet the following minimum qualifications to apply:

• Eighteen (18) years of age to apply
• Valid Michigan Vehicle Operator's license
• One year of police or fire dispatch experience is strongly preferred but not required
• Completion of the Washtenaw County data entry pre-employment test with a score of 55 or higher - more information
• No felony convictions
  

Residency Requirement:

Employees are not required to live in Washtenaw County but must reside within fifty (50) miles of Station One - 2201 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor. 

Selection and Employment Standards for the position of Communications Operator:

Category: Good Moral Character
Standard: Possess good moral character as determined by a favorable comprehensive background investigation covering school and employment records, home environment, and personal traits and integrity.  Consideration will be given to all law violations, including traffic and law conviction, as indicating a lack of good moral character.  This includes arrest and expunged convictions.

Category: Driving History
Standard: Possess favorable comprehensive driving history. 
Disqualifiers: A total of 7 or more points on driving record within two years; Conviction of OUIL or impaired vehicle operation within five years; Two or more convictions of reckless/careless driving within two years; Loss of driving privilege through suspension or revocation of license due to an unsatisfactory driving record as defined by the Michigan Secretary of State operator's license point system within the last five years.

Category: Physical Health
Standard: Be free from any chronic diseases, organic diseases, organic or functional conditions which may tend to impair the efficient performance of a communication operator's duties or which might endanger the lives of others or the operators.
Additional: Each case shall be investigated to determine its extent and effect on job performance.

Category: Mental / Emotional Health
Standard: Be free from mental or emotional instabilities which may tend to impair the efficient performance of a communication operator's duties or which might endanger the lives of others or the operators.
Additional: Each case shall be investigated to determine its extent and effect on job performance.

Category: Physical Integrity
Standard: Be free from any impediment of the senses, physically sound and in possession of extremities.
Additional: Each case shall be investigated to determine its extent and effect on job performance.

Category: Vision
Standard: Possess 20/20 corrected vision in each eye.  And, possess normal visual functions in each eye, including peripheral vision, depth perception, etc.
Additional: Each case shall be investigated to determine its extent and effect on job performance.


Category: Hearing
Standard: Pure tone air conduction sensitivity thresholds for each ear, as shown on the pure tone audiogram, shall not exceed a hearing level of 20 decibels at any of the following frequencies: 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hertz.  Testing shall be performed by an audiologist at a hearing clinic accredited by the Professional Services Board of the American Speech-Language-Heraing Association or by an audiologist who has a Certificate of Clinical Competence. 
Additional: Each case shall be investigated to determine its extent and effect on job performance.

Category: Fingerprinting
Standard: Applicant will be fingerprinted with a search of state and federal fingerprint files to disclose criminal record.
Additional:This includes expunged convictions.

Category: Medical examination
Standard: Medical examination is conducted by a licensed physician to determine that the applicant meets medical standards.  The medical examination is completed following the issue of the conditional offer of employment.

Category: Drug Testing
Standard: Applicant will be tested for the illicit use of controlled substances. 

Category: Psychological Testing and Examination
Standard: Psychological testing and examination is conducted by a licensed  psychologist to determine that the applicant meets the psychological standard.  The psychological testing and examination is completed following the issue of the conditional offer of employment.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of a computer and its various program functions
• Good computer skills to include knowledge of Microsoft Office and word processing and the ability to file accurately
• Ability to exercise good judgment
• Ability to speak in a clear manner in order to communicate on a radio system
• Ability to listen and transcribe correctly either verbally or in writing exact information received
• Ability to remain calm, act quickly and accurately in emergency situations
• Ability to search for information and records using a computer system and by manual means
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers and the public

The Washtenaw County data entry pre-employment test is administered every Wednesday promptly at 10:00 am.  The test site is the Washtenaw County Library Learning Resource Center (LLRC) located at 4135 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor.  No pre-registration or test fee is required.

Take this information sheet with you to the test.

Click here to download an application for employment

Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications when submitting an application, will not be considered for employment.

Applicants must submit a completed employment application to the:

Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office
Human Resources Division
2201 Hogback Road
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
Office:(734) 973-4650
FAX: (734) 973-4522
wcsohr@ewashtenaw.org


An Equal Opportunity Employer