Position Summary

Receives emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from the public, emergency service providers, and other public safety agencies requesting police, fire, medical or other emergency services; Responsible for efficiently and accurately gathering of caller information and making the appropriate emergency services dispatch in accordance to established policies and procedures.  The Dispatch Trainee performs assigned duties under the direct supervision and control of the Shift Supervisor.  The Shift Supervisor reviews daily work for speed and accuracy of detail.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Communications - skill to write legibly, spell correctly and type; skill to speak clearly, and hear what is being said over the phone and radio; act quickly; skill to read and interpret complex oral and written instructions.
• Interpersonal Skills – ability to show understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern, develops and maintains relationships, may deal with difficult people and is sensitive to individual differences.
• Customer Service – ability to manage difficult or emotional callers using tact and empathy; skill to reassure and provide feedback to the caller and respond to the caller's needs.
• Technical Skills – skill to accurately record names, numbers, and details of a call, and to operate a variety of computer systems and dispatching equipment.
• Problem Solving – ability to identify and resolve problems.
• Decision Making - ability to make sound and well-informed decisions.
• Teamwork – ability to contribute to building a positive team spirit; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Organizational Support – ability to support organization goals and values; skill to comply with all lawful rules and policies and procedures.
• Professionalism – ability to treat others with respect and consideration and react well under pressure.
• Adaptability – ability to adapt to work environment changes; skill to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability – ability to follow direction and takes responsibility for own actions; ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Innovation – ability to present creative ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner to get other's ideas.
• Integrity/Honesty – ability to keep sensitive information confidential.
• Attendance/Punctuality – ability to report to work at; days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays; report to work on a consistent and reliable basis including inclement weather.

Essential Requirements

• At least 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• A combination of education and experience, which indicate a possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities required at entry.
• Basic computer skills.
• Must successfully pass pre-employment exams, criminal and employment background investigations, and drug and hearing screenings.

Other Requirements

York County Department of Emergency Services (911) is now accepting applications for the September 2021 Dispatch Trainee Academy!

How Will I Receive Training??
Successful candidates will participate in a paid Dispatch Trainee Academy. Academy Training will last approximately five (5) to seven (7) weeks and will be held primarily on day-shift Monday through Friday with the potential of weekend and/or evening hours. Please note: this schedule is subject to change based on certification courses and requirements.

Upon successful completion of the Dispatch Trainee Academy, candidates will rotate to a 12-hour shift to continue on-the-job (OJT) training.  Candidates selected for the Dispatch Trainee Academy must have the ability to work 12-hour shifts which includes some weekends and holidays, as well as overtime, as assigned. Candidates who are unable to work the above outlined schedule will not be considered for employment.  

Let’s Talk About the Pay!!

• The starting rate for a Dispatch Trainee is $14.54/hour
• Dispatch Trainees will earn a $1.00/hour increase for every dispatch skill set successfully achieved (Fire/EMS, County Police, City Police, Records)
• Once the Dispatch Trainee rotates to a 12-hour shift, they will be eligible for four (4) hours of overtime pay (time and ½) for every scheduled shift. (For example: straight pay for the first 8 hours worked, time and ½ for the last four hours worked).
• A $1.00/hour shift differential is paid for all hours worked between 4pm and 8am and $1.50/hour shift differential is paid for all hours worked on the weekend.

Future communication will be sent via email from PreEmploymentScheduling@yorkcountypa.gov  to the email address you provide on your employment application.  Please either whitelist the email address above or monitor your email account to ensure correspondence is not in your junk folder.

Applications will be accepted through 0600 on June 30, 2021.