STATE POLICE DISPATCHER

Job Summary

Analyzes and interprets critical information to coordinate law enforcement responses. Serves as the first point of contact for emergency reports and calls, receiving and transmitting messages via two-way radio, telephone, and other communication systems to support enforcement and emergency personnel.

Your Experience Counts

Approved formal education may be substituted for required work experience, and approved work experience may be substituted for required formal education on a year-for-year basis.

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Equivalent combination of 4 years of education and experience after high school.

• Background must be in paramedicine, firefighting, emergency medical services, dispatch, law enforcement, public safety, customer service, or a related field involving high-volume public interaction.

License/Certification

• None required.

Other Requirements

1. Must pass a background investigation, including fingerprint-based criminal records and motor vehicle record checks.

2. Must possess normal hearing and pass a controlled substance screening test as determined by the communications authority.

Trainee Option

• Candidates with a combination of 3+ years of relevant education/experience after high school may be hired in trainee status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in roles requiring rapid response, accuracy, multitasking, and strong performance under high-pressure or stressful conditions.

After-Hire Requirements

• Must obtain certification as an On-Line Telecommunications Systems Operator within six (6) months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Receive, organize, and disseminate information using radio systems, multi-line telephones, computer-aided dispatch systems, and national telecommunications networks.

• Interrogate callers, interpret information, assess situations, and determine appropriate service responses using sound judgment and reasoning.

• Operate complex telecommunications systems to transmit emergency and enforcement information to state and municipal agencies.

• Assign personnel during emergencies, coordinate responders, arrange equipment resources, and relay updates during incidents, disasters, and critical events.

• Support after-hours coordination for search, rescue, and recovery operations.

• Enter and retrieve data from multiple software systems and databases to verify real-time information for field personnel.

• Manage a wide range of callers and maintain composure during fluid, critical, or high-stress situations.

• Maintain professional customer service throughout call processing to ensure accurate and timely support for the public and partnering agencies.

• Review logs and reports after critical incidents and lead incident debriefings when required.

• Complete various reports and organize daily logs to support data tracking and reporting requirements.

• Maintain knowledge of geographic areas, patrol districts, towns, waterways, hiking trails, and other relevant locations to accurately determine incident locations and dispatch appropriate units.

• Enter, review, modify, and clear entries in the National Crime Information Computer (NCIC) system following federal guidelines.

• Assist with mentoring and training new staff on procedures, equipment, record keeping, and database requirements.

• Provide support for testing or emergency response communications when needed.

Disclaimer

This supplemental job description outlines essential duties but does not include every task associated with the position. Additional related duties may be assigned as needed and must align with the job classification. Employees hired in trainee status will be supervised by a fully qualified individual and must meet the minimum qualifications within the required timeframe, not exceeding one year.