STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

State Police Dispatcher Trainee

Recruitment #240119-6391CL-001

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Introduction


Looking for a fulfilling career and the opportunity to have a real impact every single day in service to the lives of others? The legacy of Police Dispatching is deep, wide, and essential.  The future is you; pursue your calling in Public Safety as a State Police Dispatcher Trainee!

WHAT OUR DEDICATED HEROES HAVE TO SAY
“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.

ANNOUNCING STATE POLICE DISPATCHER TRAINEE RECRUITMENT!

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
The State of Connecticut is committed to providing a safe and thriving environment for our community, and visitors. We believe our employees should receive comprehensive and competitive benefits for choosing to help us best serve our community, which include:
  • Numerous career opportunities across our beautiful state, with opportunities for promotional advancement and geographic transfers;
  • Adding to the attractive locations and upward mobility are excellent compensation and benefits;
  • The chance to work for a Forbes top company: State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule;
  • A comprehensive retirement plan (State Employees Retirement System Tier IV);
  • A top-notch health and wellness benefit package (More on that here!);
  • Eligibility to apply for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program (Learn more here!);
  • 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;
  • 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.
COMPENSATION GUIDELINES
Hires start at $49,243 as a Dispatcher Trainee.  Upon completion of all training requirements & working test period, candidates are automatically promoted to State Police Dispatcher at $56,535. 

We are looking for candidates with 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.
In addition, candidates must be able to work mandatory overtime with little to no notice as well as weekends and holidays.

OUR DEDICATION TO CONNECTICUT
We strive to provide superior Public Safety Services for Connecticut and achieve them through our mission:

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. DESPP is an equal opportunity employer.

 
     
     
 

Selection Plan

The Connecticut State Police Dispatcher hiring process is extensive: the time from application to appointment can take several months and the application to hire process is separated into 5 stages:

1. Application Period: How to apply for the State Police Dispatcher Trainee Job Opening 
  • Please ensure that your application is complete. You are unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut. Applicant Support can be reached by email at DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
  • Candidates who submit an untimely, incomplete or inaccurate application will not be considered for this employment opportunity. Due to the large volume of applications, please do not call/email to confirm receipt or status of your application. If your application submits successfully, a pop-up confirmation displays, which is followed by a confirmation email. You can view all emailed notices on your Personal Status Board by clicking the date in the Last Notice column for this recruitment. 
  • Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • 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.
  • 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. 
2. Referral Questions are designed to allow hiring managers to learn more about your abilities and skills related to the State Police Dispatcher Trainee position.
  • Referral questions will be asked during the application filing period. Applicants must respond to each to successfully complete their application.
  • Please do not call or email about referral questions or application status. If you successfully submit on time, you will receive a confirmation page immediately following your submission.
3. In-person interview where the hiring team will ask more in depth questions to gain better insight on candidates knowledge, skills and abilities related to the job, including work experience. 

4. Background Investigation is a comprehensive review of employment, attendance, education, training, criminal, motor vehicle and credit history. Important note, selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation.

5. Medical Evaluation: Comprehensive physical examination, including vision and hearing tests.

STATE POLICE DISPATCHER TRAINING PROGRAM
When a candidate receives an offer of employment, they are required to successfully complete the Dispatch Training Academy. This consists of a two-phase training program. First, they must complete an in-person, classroom-based training and upon successful completion, will move onto the second phase. The second phase consists of a hands-on, companion/shadow-based training at the Trainee’s assigned State Police barracks.

Phase I: Classroom-based Training
All Trainees will participate in an 8 week (320 hours) in-person training program held at the State Police Training Academy in Meriden, CT. Attendance is mandatory for the entirety of the program. Phase I provides Trainees with all the necessary certifications and will lay the groundwork for a successful career. 

The Dispatch Training Academy utilizes the crawl-walk-run instructional design and builds upon the success of previous knowledge to advance the Trainee through the program. A large component of the training will be hands-on and “doing” the various aspects of the job. The Dispatch Training Academy is fortunate to have numerous simulators and training aids to help Trainees build muscle memory and work through real-world examples of what they will encounter in their career. Highlights of this phase include the following:
  • All required certifications obtained (DSET, COLLECT, EMD, NIMS/ICS, 911 software)
  • Over 150 hours dedicated to CAD, telephone and radio training
  • Critical incident management training (Active Shooter, Suicidal/Barricaded, Vehicle Pursuits)
  • Anti-terrorism and intelligence training
  • Dedicated understanding of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) traditions, resources, and structure
  • Dispatcher wellness training and education
Phase II: Communication Training Officer (CTO) Training
After successful completion of the classroom-based training, Trainees will move on to the CTO Training. This training is 8 weeks and follows the traditional 5 days on, 3 days off schedule. Trainees will shadow a seasoned Dispatcher and gradually be given more independent responsibilities, enabling them to enhance their skills and learn Troop-specific knowledge.

Upon successful completion of both phases as well as the six-month working test period, Trainees are promoted to the State Police Dispatcher Job Class.

WORK LOCATIONS
Western District
  • Bridgeport - Troop G / Canaan - Troop B / Litchfield - Troop L / Southbury - Troop A
Central District 
  • Bethany - Troop I / Hartford Bradley Airport - Troop H / Westbrook - Troop F
Eastern District 
  • Colchester - Troop K / Danielson - Troop D / Montville - Troop E / Tolland - Troop C
Contact Information: Should you have any questions pertaining to the technical filing of your application, please contact Benjamin Beaudry at Benjamin.Beaudry@ct.gov.

For any questions or inquiries regarding becoming a State Police Dispatcher, please email csp.dispatch.training@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 multi-tasking assignments, projects, and other day to day activities;
  • Experience working in high-stress situations in a professional work environment;
  • Experience extracting critical information from individuals in crisis;
  • Experience exercising a high degree of good judgment and independence while evaluating emergency and non-emergency situations;
  • Experience making split-second decisions in a professional work environment;
  • 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.



Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet.


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