Sedgwick County Emergency Communications Professionals

Job Requirements

Emergency Communications work is difficult but rewarding.  It involves the need for great focus and attentiveness because the cost of mistakes are serious and/or life threatening.  The work is fast paced and ever changing—while allowing employees to truly make a difference.  Keys for successful applicants include the ability to:

• Reason clearly, analyzing situations rapidly and accurately

• Follow instructions quickly and accurately

• Hear and distinguish between several voices at the same time while acquiring and retaining information

• Function efficiently and calmly under pressure

• Communicate effectively with irate persons and handle emotional situations

• Operate complex computerized equipment rapidly and accurately

• Monitor four screens simultaneously

• Speak clearly, distinctly and concisely

• Read and understand maps

Salary and Benefits

Starting pay for trainees is competitive and allows for promotion after six months with a pay increase.  We also provide “shift differential pay for second and third shift.  Sedgwick County offers an excellent benefit package that includes health and dental insurance plans, vacation and sick leave, retirement, and opportunities to participate in deferred compensation plans and reimbursement accounts.

Schedule

We are a 24-hour department, staffing eight-hour shifts.  There is no guarantee on shift assignment or how long an employee will spend on a particular shift.  Each employee receives two consecutive days off; granted by seniority and may be changed when departmental scheduling needs change.  The department maintains a rotating on-call schedule as well as, a rotating forced overtime schedule.

Dispatch/Call Taker

• 1^st Shift:  6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• 2^nd Shift: 2:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

• 3^rd Shift:  10:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.

Call Taker

• AM Shift:  10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

• PM Shift:  6:30 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.

Application Process

• Have a high school diploma or GED

• Submit application to Sedgwick County (www.hrepartners.com)

• Pass keyboard test at 35 words per minute

• Score at least a 24 on the Wonderlic test

• Attend required job informational meeting

• Complete four-hour mandatory observation

• Pass criminal background check

• Attend panel interview

• Pass psychological screening

• Pass physical exam and drug screen

Training

• Dispatch/Call Taker Trainee

  • Nine-week academic training

  • Six-week one-on-one training

• Call Taker Trainee

  • Five-week academic training

  • Three-week one-on-one training

Successful completion requires:

• Pass each written exam with a score of 80% or better
• Pass practical exam with a score of 80% or better
• Become certified in Emergency Medical Dispatch
• Become certified in CPR
• Become certified in National Crime Information Center

Be a Part of the Team

The area of public safety communications is an important link between citizens and emergency services in Sedgwick County.  Each year, the Sedgwick County Emergency Communications office processes approximately 525,000 calls for service each year.  Sedgwick County Emergency Communications provides service to Sedgwick County’s Sheriff, Fire, and EMS departments, Wichita’s Police and Fire departments, and 21 suburban agencies.

For employment opportunities visit Sedgwick County's employment opportunities at www.hrepartners.com.

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last update: 10/16/06
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