STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

State Police Dispatcher Trainee

Target Class: State Police Dispatcher

Recruitment #230516-6391CL-001

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Introduction


Are you looking to start in a career that makes a difference in the community? If so, read below and apply today!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), Division of State Police is currently accepting applications for State Police Dispatcher Trainee. 

What we can offer you
  • Outstanding medical and dental benefits supporting your health and wellness
  • The ability to begin planning for your future with an excellent retirement plan (Tier IV)
  • Supplemental Benefits
  • Bank holidays worked, shift differential for working evenings, midnights, weekends and overtime
  • Receive an “unpleasant duty” stipend for the life of the contract
  • Six (6) of the thirteen (13) state holidays are considered premium holidays (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) and dispatchers have the option to request pay out for them
  • Special duty assignments (ex. working Rentschler Field during activities)
  • If you are a certified EMT in Connecticut, you get an annual "skills premium" stipend for the life of the contract.
Position highlights
Successful candidates will have the ability to:
  • Calm individuals in crisis
  • Make split second decisions
  • Gather and disseminate information clearly, accurately and rapidly in urgent situations
  • Multi-task between the telephone, radio and various computer systems in stressful situations
  • Maintain composure and function under the stress of an emergency situation
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others 
  • Read and speak English in a clear and effective tone of voice
  • Hear clearly and discern a variety of audible communications and signals simultaneously
  • Understand and be knowledgeable with computers, typing, data input and be comfortable with using technology
Candidates who fill these positions will participate in a 6 to 8 week, Monday thru Friday, first shift schedule (8:30AM-4:30PM) Dispatcher Training Program at the Connecticut State Police Academy in Meriden, CT.  Candidates must be able to work mandatory overtime with little to no notice, weekends and holidays. During the time at the Dispatcher Training Academy, all required trainings and certifications will be obtained. 

Please note: The training academy is scheduled to start in the month of September. Hired candidates will need to be in attendance the entire 6 to 8 week training academy and will not be able to pursue outside employment during this time.

Upon Graduation from the Dispatcher Training Academy:
  • Candidates will start at their assigned work location, for a 40 working days field training program with an experienced Dispatcher (Learning Troop Specific Skills);
  • Candidates can expect to work a rotating 5 day “on” 3 day “off” schedule with a variety of shifts at their assigned work location.  There may be opportunities to work overtime, perform “shift swaps” and perform extra duty assignments.
  • Operational needs of the agency will weigh heavily on the initial assignment of hired State Police Dispatcher Trainees.
  • During the Training period, DESPP will work with the State Police Dispatcher Trainees to identify locations that are geographically compatible to their desired location.  Hired Dispatcher Trainees will be required to work various shifts throughout their career.  We are seeking trustworthy, motivated and driven individuals who are able to work well on their own, as well as in a team environment.
After 6 months of successful and satisfactory completion of your working test period and completing all aspects of training, you will automatically be promoted to the target class of State Police Dispatcher. 

“I have been a Connecticut State Police dispatcher for 23 years.  The number one question I get asked  often is “how do you like your job”?   My answer is always, I love it most days but because like any other job, there are always good and bad days.  I have handled all types of situations from simple routine calls to time sensitive, life or death emergencies.  I think the most important thing to keep in mind, when you are dealing with highly stressful situations with angry and hysterical callers is to remember that this not about you.  These people are having the worst day of their lives.  The callers are looking to you for guidance and compassion.   There is no better feeling than knowing that you helped someone in their desperate time of need.”
-Dispatcher Darlene Hanna

“I have been a dispatcher with the Connecticut State Police almost 19 years.  I started as a dispatcher at a municipal police department. The State Police was a faster paced environment and higher call volume than what I was used to, which made the job more interesting and has given me so much more experience. As a State Police Dispatcher, we have opportunities to work at any troop location in the state which gives you a broad experience from high paced call volumes to small town experiences. 
I enjoy my job as it entails helping people, when they have no one to turn to for assistance. Most of the time, you really can make a difference in someone’s day. I find as a dispatcher we are the initial call for help in emergency situations until the Troopers can physically respond to the scene.   When we help someone, it is very satisfying knowing you made a difference.” 
-Dispatcher Robert Ferone Jr.

Please view the video below to learn more about State Police Dispatchers within the State of Connecticut:
 
About us
DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology.
In striving to accomplish our mission, we will embody our core values with great PRIDE:
  • Professionalism through an elite and diverse team of trained men and women
  • Respect for ourselves and others through our words and actions
  • Integrity through adherence to standards and values that merit public trust
  • Dedication to our colleagues, our values, and to the service of others
  • Equality through fair and unprejudiced application of the law
We strive to provide superior public safety services for Connecticut and achieve them through our mission.

Selection Plan

Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:
State Employees
  • Two (2) most recent performance evaluations
  • Cover letter
  • Completed CT-HR-13
Non-State Employees
  • Two (2) professional references contact information (including name, relationship, email and phone number)
  • Cover Letter
  • Completed CT-HR-13
Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation.

Any pending disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records are also considered in this selection process.

Click here to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum (CT-HR-13). The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS website by typing in "CT-HR-13" into the "Search Department of Administrative Services" search field.

Before you apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
Important information for after you apply:
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Questions about this position should be directed to Mackenzie Robinson at mackenzie.robinson@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, this class is accountable for receiving class room and on-the-job training in providing communication links between law enforcement, emergency services and the general public.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Receives on-the-job training in answering calls from the public and responding to complaints and emergency situations by assisting in the dispatching of troopers to incidents within their jurisdiction; receives training in operating complex communications equipment; assists in contact of appropriate authorities; assists State Police Dispatcher by researching information for troopers on matters such as stolen vehicles and criminal records; receives training and assists with monitoring radio frequencies and emergency dispatching backup assistance to other police departments when needed; assists with maintaining records of communications received; receives training to record, code and enter pertinent law enforcement information and daily activity data into computer terminals and manual logs; completes various law enforcement forms; provides general information to the public; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Some knowledge of and ability to operate complex communications equipment; knowledge of basic first aid and safety procedures; interpersonal skills; computer keyboarding skills; ability to think and act quickly in emergency situations with judgment and discretion; ability to speak proper English and to enunciate clearly; ability to follow oral and written instruction; ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information; ability to maintain manual and electronic records.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Any experience or training which would provide the skills and abilities indicated above. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience managing and completing tasks simultaneously while meeting deadlines
  • Experience making split second decisions on emergency situations in a professional work environment
  • Experience extracting critical information from individuals in crisis
  • Experience evaluating emergency and non-emergency situations accurately and independently
  • Experience gathering and disseminating information clearly, accurately and rapidly in urgent situations
  • Experience in operating a digital trunked police style radio system 
  • Experience operating a wide variety of computers, radios and recording equipment
  • Experience in viewing and operating a security CCTV system (internal/external camera systems)

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Incumbents in this class must successfully complete the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Connecticut State Police Emergency Dispatcher Training Certificate Program.
  2. Incumbents in this class must receive certification as a Telecommunicator within three (3) months of appointment.
  3. Incumbents in this class must receive certification in NCIC and COLLECT systems within three (3) months of appointment.
  4. Incumbents in this class must possess a high school diploma or certification of having passed the General Educational Development (GED) examination. 
  5. Incumbents in this class may be required to work a schedule that includes weekends, evenings and holidays.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and facts stated in the application a thorough background investigation of each candidate will be made before persons are certified for appointment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. A physical examination may be required by the appointing authority.
  2. Applicants for this class must possess normal hearing and vision.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to work in tiring positions for long periods of time in a stressful environment.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.





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