911 Dispatch Position

South Sound 911 - LATERAL Dispatcher & 911 Call-Taker

 

PROFILE DISCLAIMER

The information herein is provided by the respective agency and is only as accurate and as up-to-date as the agency representative(s) update this information. PST is not responsible for the veracity of this data as it is provided directly from the agency. It is ultimately the applicant's responsibility to verify any information about the agency with the agency.

South Sound 911 - LATERAL Dispatcher & 911 Call-Taker

Last updated on April 09, 2024
PST Partner Agency since May 26, 2021

Vacancies: 2

Testing Deadline: December 31, 2024.

Important Information

Detailed job announcements can be found here: https://southsound911.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Lateral-Announcement-1.pdf

South Sound 911 is seeking experienced 911 telecommunicators to join our team! We are also welcoming applications from Law Enforcement and Firefighter personnel from agencies within Pierce County, as well. We have concurrent LATERAL processes for 911 Telecommunicator positions (911 Call-Takers) and Dispatcher positions, with ongoing proposed start dates.

If you are interested in a career with South Sound 911, please email HR@SouthSound911.org. Please include resume and letter of interest, detailing the size and call volume of current and past agency employment, along with any other relevant information. Please also complete your personal history statement (PHS) with Public Safety Testing.

Qualifications for Dispatcher Positions:

Graduation from high school or equivalent. Ability to perform split ear functions. Two years of experience involving considerable public contact and multi-tasking.

Candidates must have a minimum 2 years of recent experience as a Dispatcher within a 911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

Qualifications for 911 Telecommunicator Positions:

Graduation from high school or equivalent. Experience involving considerable public contact and multi-tasking.

Candidates must have a minimum 2 years of recent experience as a 911 call-taker within a 911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

Hiring Process:

Interested candidates should email HR@SouthSound911.org. Please include resume and letter of interest, detailing the size and call volume of current and past agency employment, along with any other relevant information. If selected to move forward in process, candidates will participate in additional process steps, as listed below, in sequential order:

Additional steps of Lateral Process:

  • Completion of Personal History Statement through Public Safety Testing (online, no cost)
  • Complete Dispatcher CritiCall Test (online, no cost)
  • Panel Interview (in-person preferred, will accommodate virtual setting as needed)
  • Conditional Offer
  • Fingerprinting (in-person)
  • Observation (in-person, can be combined with fingerprinting session)
  • Background Investigation
  • Psychological Assessment (virtual)
  • Fit Assessment (online – PXT Select)
  • Final Interviews with Executive Staff (in-person strongly preferred, will accommodate virtual setting as needed)
  • Medical/Drug Screen (in-person, or if out of area, can arrange for local-to-candidate testing)
  • Final Offer

Incentives:

Lateral candidates receiving a final offer of employment after completing the process will receive the following:

  • $5,000 hiring incentive upon date of hire*

Starting salary will be dependent on number of years’ experience in a Dispatch or Communications role, as follows:

  • < 5 years’ experience – Step 2
  • 5-10 years’ experience – Step 3
  • 10+ years’ experience – Step 4

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, please contact Laura Lakowske @ 253-625-0813 or laura.lakowske@southsound911.org.

*Hiring incentive will be paid in full at time of hire, on the first eligible pay date. The hiring incentive is subject to all required taxes and withholdings. Retention of full amount of hiring incentive is contingent upon continued employment with agency. If employee leaves at any point prior to their 2-year anniversary, a repayment schedule will apply.

For more information or to view the official announcements, visit https://southsound911.org/careers/

Community Information

Our service area is geographically diverse and demanding. Pierce County is the second most populous county in Washington state and a hub of international travel and commerce – via the Port of Tacoma, the largest transportation corridor in the state (Interstate-5), Puget Sound, its proximity to the Canadian border, and its position as a Pacific Rim state. It is also a major part of the state’s military core with Joint Base Lewis-McChord located within the county. 

Pierce County’s 1,790 square miles include a forested mountain range with the largest active volcano in the Pacific Northwest (Mount Rainier), several major earthquake faults, 217 miles of Puget Sound saltwater shorelines, and a 2,400-acre port facility.

Department Information

Today, South Sound 911 is recognized as an expert in building police and fire dispatch interoperability. The agency operates a regional 911 center in Pierce County which answers over 1 million emergency and non-emergency calls annually for 19 law enforcement and 19 fire/EMS agencies. All 4,591 South Sound 911-funded new public safety radios are in use, and in 2021 the agency completed construction of its new state-of-the-art facility in Tacoma. There, South Sound 911 consolidated all of its operations and administrative services under one roof.

South Sound 911 currently employs approximately 280 personnel, many of whom work various shifts to provide 24-hour service for 911, dispatch, and records.

Job Description

Description of Positions

Telecommunicator 1 (911 Call-Taker):

As part of South Sound 911 Operations Division, and under the direction of the Communications Supervisor, this position performs complex and responsible work in the Emergency 911 Communications Center processing citizen’s 911 and business calls by screening calls, recording information and transferring calls as appropriate for law enforcement, fire and medical aid services under emergency conditions in an accurate and timely manner; provide routine information and assistance to the public, various law enforcement agencies and other City and County agencies. This position requires ongoing multitasking ability, and use of discretion and judgment.

This position does not have supervisory responsibility. Communications Officers are expected to work independently in a variety of tasks and ask for assistance/clarification from the Communications Supervisor when questions/concerns arise.

Dispatcher:

As part of South Sound 911 Operations Division, the Dispatcher position performs complex and responsible dispatcher duties in the Emergency 911 Communications Center; processes citizen’s requests for law enforcement services under various conditions, including emergency situations, receives emergency communications, determining the nature, location and severity of the emergency and dispatches appropriate personnel, apparatus and equipment; provides information to client law enforcement agencies, other City and County agencies and law enforcement officers in the field; monitors and controls communication traffic and assure officer safety to the extent possible. Completes training for and demonstrates ability to perform the duties of Communications Officer; and maintains the skill to perform the essential functions of the Communications Officer classification.

This position does not have supervisory responsibility. Dispatchers are expected to work independently in a variety of tasks and ask for assistance/clarification from the Communications Supervisor when questions/concerns arise. This position reports to the Communications Supervisor.

Relevant Experience Qualifications

Candidates must have a minimum 2 years of experience within a 911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) or Public Safety Records Department and performed in the eligible public safety role within the past 3 years. Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Area Information

County: Pierce
Population: 843,954
# of Staff: 280

Hiring Status

South Sound 911 - LATERAL Dispatcher & 911 Call-Taker has 2 vacancies.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is December 31, 2024.

South Sound 911 is seeking experienced 911 telecommunicators to join our team! We are also welcoming applications from Law Enforcement and Firefighter personnel from agencies within Pierce County, as well. We have concurrent lateral processes for 911 Telecommunicator positions (911 Call-Takers) and Dispatch positions, with ongoing proposed start dates. 

If you are interested in a career with South Sound 911, please email HR@SouthSound911.org. Please include resume and letter of interest, detailing the size and call volume of current and past agency employment, along with any other relevant information. Please also complete your personal history statement (PHS) with Public Safety Testing. NOTE; You DO NOT need to complete the PST Dispatch Written Exam if you are an experienced lateral candidate.

Veterans - you may apply your education and training benefits toward the approved Communications Officer and Dispatcher On-the-Job training programs at South Sound 911.

Salary Information

Pay scale information:

LATERAL 911Telecommunicator (TC1) – $34.77 - $40.26/hr

LATERAL Dispatcher – $38.36 - $44.40/hr

Benefit Information

SOUTH SOUND 911 BENEFIT INFORMATION

LEAVE INFORMATION 

VACATION LEAVE: Employees receive 96 hours of vacation per year initially. Vacation leave accrual increases occur on an employee's anniversary date.

SICK LEAVE: Employees receive 96 hours of sick leave per year.

HOLIDAYS: Employees receive 104 hours paid holidays.

HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS THROUGH ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON CITIES (AWC) 


MEDICAL COVERAGE: Choice of four medical plans which include prescription drug coverage for the employee and their dependents. Employees choosing the AWC HealthFirst $250 Plan or Kaiser Permanente $200 deductible plan pay a monthly contribution amount of $40 for employee only and $80 for family coverage. South Sound 911 pays the remaining monthly premium.

South Sound 911 will pay 100% of the premiums for both employees and dependents electing one of the High Deductible Health Plans and contribute $2,400 for an individual and $4,800 for a family annually into an employee Health Savings Account (HSA). Employees will also be able to contribute to their HSA.

In addition, all South Sound 911 employees covered by another medical plan may be eligible to participate in the Opt-Out Program. In order to be eligible, the employee must certify that he/she and any qualifying dependents are covered on another medical plan. Employees approved to participate in the Opt-Out Program shall receive a monthly distribution of $500 to a qualified 457 deferred compensation plan. These contributions will apply to the annual maximum deferred contribution limits. Employees may only apply for the Opt-Out Program during open enrollment or at initial hire. Determination of eligibility shall be at the sole discretion of South Sound 911.

VISION: Vision coverage is offered through VSP for the employee and their dependents. South Sound 911 pays the monthly premium.

DENTAL COVERAGE: Choice of two dental programs for the employee and their dependents. South Sound 911 pays the monthly premium.

LIFE INSURANCE AND LONG TERM DISABILITY: South Sound 911 provides an employer paid life insurance benefit of 1x annual salary for all full time employees. Supplemental life and supplemental spousal life insurance are available at the employee’s expense. Employees also receive employer paid long-term disability coverage. The waiting period for long-term disability coverage is 180 days and payment is at 60% of the employee's monthly salary.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: ComPsych is an Employee Assistance Program offered to South Sound 911 employees and their families

For AWC specific benefit questions, you are welcome to contact AWC Employee Benefit Trust at 1-800-562-8981 or 360-753-4137, email: benefitinfo@awcnet.org website: www.awctrust.org.

WELLNESS PROGRAM: South Sound 911 offers several fun and engaging wellness activities throughout the year. For information about the South Sound 911 Wellness Program, please contact Gracie Burkhart atgracie.burkhart@southsound911.org or 253-287-4808.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

OTHER INSURANCE: Short Term Disability and other insurance options are available through AFLAC at the expense of the employee.

RETIREMENT: South Sound 911 employees participate in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). PERS Plan 2 is a defined benefit plan and PERS Plan 3 is a defined benefit plan that includes a member-funded defined contribution component. Employees new to PERS will select PERS Plan 2 or PERS Plan 3 within 90-days of initial hire. New hires who were previously PERS members will complete new enrollment and beneficiary forms upon their transition to South Sound 911. Those who are PERS 3 plan members will have the opportunity to elect a new contribution rate during their initial hire with South Sound 911. For more information on retirement plans, please visit www.drs.wa.gov or call 360-664-7000.

SOCIAL SECURITY REPLACEMENT PLAN: South Sound 911 makes contributions on behalf of all eligible employees to a 401(a) Social Security replacement plan, in addition to contributions made by the employee. Employer and employee contributions mirror Social Security, which are 6.2% of wages up to the annual Social Security Wage Base maximum.


DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM: South Sound 911 employees have access to a deferred compensation program through Mission Square. Quarterly one-on-one meetings with a retirement plans specialist from Mission Square are made available to employees at the work site.


PAY PERIODS: South Sound 911 has 26 payroll periods. Pay dates occur every other Friday and checks are deposited via direct deposit.

Have additional benefit or payroll questions? Please contact Gracie Burkhart, Payroll and Benefits Manager at 253-287-4808 or gracie.burkhart@southsound911.org.

South Sound 911 - LATERAL Dispatcher & 911 Call-Taker Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination No, not required

You do not need to complete a test through Public Safety Testing to apply for this position. You do need to complete your personal history statement (PHS) if you are selected to move forward in the process after initial review of your application submitted to hr@southsound911.org. We encourage you to complete the PHS as early as possible.

Typing Test Yes, required
Minimum Age 18
US Citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident Eligible to work in the U.S.
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult Reviewed and considered on a case by case basis
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile Reviewed and considered on a case by case basis
Ability to Read & Write the English Language Must be able to communicate fluently in English.
Vision Requirements Ability to see computer monitor, depth perception, color vision.
Prior Experience Requirement

Qualifications for Dispatcher Positions:

Graduation from high school or equivalent. Ability to perform split ear functions. Two years of experience involving considerable public contact and multi-tasking.

Candidates must have a minimum 3 years of experience as a Dispatcher within a 911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) receiving a minimum of 300,000 calls annually.

Qualifications for Communications Officer Positions:

Graduation from high school or equivalent. Experience involving considerable public contact and multi-tasking.

Candidates must have a minimum 3 years of experience as a 911 call-taker within a 911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

Contact Information

South Sound 911 - LATERAL Dispatcher & 911 Call-Taker

3580 Pacific Ave
Tacoma, WA 98418 Pierce County
(253) 625-0813

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Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: No, not required
Typing Test: Yes, required


Other South Sound 911 positions

911 Call-Taker & Dispatcher
Records Specialist
Data Dispatcher