Emergency Service Call Taker - EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

Department: EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

Pay:  $20.10 hourly

Work Schedule:

Sedgwick County offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes health coverages, paid leave, regular compensation reviews, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.  For more detailed information, please visit our benefits page at SCBenefits.

Responsible for processing emergency and non-emergency calls. Provide the critical link for citizens to the emergency response system. Ensure that public safety personnel can respond to emergencies in a safe and timely manner. Provide emergency medical instructions to callers in need. Provide safety instructions to callers who are in dangerous situations. Document pertinent information as provided by callers.  

Exercise professionalism, compassion, and empathy in all interactions with citizens and other first responders. Call Takers should be able to adapt to unknown, unforeseen, and often extreme circumstances in real time. Exercise exceptional decision-making and problem-solving skills while adhering to policy guidelines and protocols.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Answer calls via telephone system; effectively interview callers by using established call taking techniques to ensure an efficient flow of information to dispatchers and other first responders
• Make customer service a priority
• Utilize Computer Aided Dispatching (CAD) system for call entry
• Provide necessary instructions or directives to callers

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 18 years of age at time of hire
• No felony convictions

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual

REQUIRED PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTING/SCREENING:

• Physical
• Criminal background check and pre-employment screens

TRAINING AND PROMOTIONAL PROCESS:

New hires are first trained to manage emergency calls and are then expected to cross-train into the role of a Dispatcher when they attain proficiency as a Call Taker. Promotions are merit and performance-based.

• Call Taker ($20.10 hourly) – Starting pay.
• Dispatcher I ($22.17 hourly) – Fire & EMS dispatcher. Promotion to Dispatcher I is granted immediately upon acceptance to the cross-training program.
• Dispatcher II ($24.43 hourly) – Law Enforcement Dispatcher. Promotion to Dispatcher II may be earned six-months after release from all dispatch disciplines with supervisory recommendation.
   

It is the policy of Sedgwick County not to discriminate in its programs or services, including employment, on the basis of race, color, sex, including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, marital status, religious or political affiliation, genetic information, disability, status as a member of the uniformed services or any other similarly protected status.

Sedgwick County is committed to making the application, interview, and pre-employment testing process accessible to qualified persons with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you wish to volunteer information regarding any special assistance you may need, please contact the Sedgwick County ADA Coordinator at (316) 660-7050, TDD (Kansas Relay at 711 or 800-766-3777). Please do not use this phone number for employment questions. Applicants are contacted only if they are determined to be qualified candidates.