Police Dispatcher

City of Lenexa•Lenexa, KS

About The Position

The City of Lenexa Police Department is hiring an entry-level civilian Police Dispatcher. The role receives, evaluates, and prioritizes emergency and non-emergency calls from the public and other law enforcement agencies using a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. It involves operating a complex two-way radio system, applying investigative skills to support criminal apprehension and crime prevention, using surveillance systems to assist investigations and promote officer and civilian safety, and completing data-entry tasks while efficiently managing divided attention in a calm manner. The dispatcher answers voice, text-to-911, and TDD calls; communicates with callers to establish incident locations, circumstances, and required responses; and relays information to field units and other agencies while observing radio discipline and FCC regulations. The position also monitors and manipulates street cameras, records and monitors activity in CAD, enters information received by telephone or radio, performs inquiries and updates in law-enforcement databases, and serves as a liaison between citizens and police officers during calls for service and emergencies. The City describes its work environment as supportive and stable, with training, leadership support, state-of-the-art equipment and technological resources, and an emphasis on work-life balance. Applicants must complete a multi-stage hiring process that includes skills assessments, interviews, a polygraph, background investigation, drug screening, medical screening, and psychological testing.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
At least 18 years of age.
Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
Ability to type accurately at 40 words per minute.
Ability to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and short-notice overtime assignments.
Pass a typing test and standardized written/audio skills assessment.
Pass an oral board interview, polygraph, extensive background investigation, interview with the Police Chief, pre-employment drug screen, medical screening, and psychological testing.

Responsibilities

Answer emergency and non-emergency voice, text-to-911, and TDD calls.
Communicate with callers to determine incident location and nature and the type of response required.
Dispatch field units using complex two-way radio systems while maintaining radio discipline and complying with FCC regulations.
Relay information to responders and other agencies.
Monitor and manipulate street cameras to direct officers and assist with officer safety.
Operate the CAD system to record and monitor activity.
Enter information received by telephone or police radio and perform inquiries, entries, and updates in law-enforcement-related databases.
Apply investigative skills to aid criminal apprehension and crime prevention.
Act as a liaison between citizens and police officers during calls for service and emergencies to help ensure the safety of those involved.
Manage multiple tasks and divided-attention work efficiently and calmly.

Benefits

Low-cost premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Free or low-cost on-site medical clinic.
4% employer retirement contribution with optional 2% match.
Automatic enrollment at 6% into the KPERS pension plan.
10 paid holidays per year.
Minimum two weeks of vacation during the first year.
Paid sick leave and personal leave, including bonus personal leave during the first year.
Six weeks of paid parental leave.
City-paid short-term and long-term disability plans.
Free membership to the Lenexa Rec Center.
Annual secondary-language stipend of approximately $1,300 for those who pass a City of Lenexa-proctored oral speaking proficiency test.
Shift differential of $1.00 per hour for evening shift and $1.50 per hour for night shift.
Tuition reimbursement of up to $4,500 annually and $25,000 lifetime.