Public Safety Telecommunicator - Rice/Steele 911 Dispatch Center Job in Owatonna, MN

Salary: $27.41 - $38.61 Hourly
Location : Owatonna, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-037
Department: Dispatch
Opening Date: 06/17/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

Job Summary
POSITIONS ARE OPEN UNTIL FILLED

THE RICE /STEELE 911 CENTER LOCATED IN OWATONNA, MN IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS TO FILL ONE FULL-TIME POSITION.

$27.41 - $38.61 with Starting Pay of $27.41 to $31.77 based on Public Safety Experience

Shift and Weekend Differential of $0.75 added for all hours worked 6:00pm-6:00am and all day time weekend hours worked 6:00am-6:00pm

Additional pay opportunities for Communications Training Officers and Acting Lead assignments

Under general supervision, the Public Safety Telecommunicator is responsible for receiving and prioritizing all emergency and non-emergency requests for service and for dispatching appropriate public safety personnel and equipment in response to calls for service. This position is of critical importance for community and public safety, operating 24/7; including nights, weekends and holidays. Employees are required to use computer technology, which requires a high level of accuracy, attention to detail and multi-tasking skills.
Examples of Duties
Answering and Dispatching calls:

Gather information via multi-channel radio, 911 emergency and non-emergency phone systems, and computer terminal. Responsible for exercising independent judgment to solicit, identify, assess, evaluate, prioritize, summarize and transmit information regarding calls for service
Answer incoming calls (radio and telephone). Ascertain nature of situation and its location
Monitor radio activities and provide supplemental information, personnel and equipment
Dispatch police, fire, EMS, rescue, and reserves and monitor all radio channels.
Utilize extensive training, departmental policies, procedures and guidelines, mandates, and laws governing a dispatcher's response and conduct to determine appropriate procedure and necessary action
Making calls for officers: tow request, detox, judges, public works, etc.
Operate CAD to enter, receive and manipulate associated data, tracking activity and location of personnel and equipment
Monitor severe weather and sound sirens, when needed

Maintenance and Administration of Equipment:

Monitor multiple radio channels on ARMER. Assist in coordinating activities between law enforcement, fire/rescue, medical, emergency management, municipal utility, and County Highway units operating in the field
Utilize the CAD and Records Management Systems (RMS) to their fullest capacity
Operate National Crime Information Center (NCIC)/Minnesota Justice Information Systems (MNJIS) terminal to exchange information with other law enforcement agencies and verify driver records, vehicle registrations, criminal histories, stolen and recovered property, etc.
Operate public notification system by sending out emergency notifications to public or page out SWAT, dive team or others as needed

Data Processing:

Request, disseminate, enter, verify, modify and cancel protected data through computerized terminals linked to State, Federal, Interstate and local Law Enforcement systems to include but not limited to; driver and motor vehicle information, National Crime Information Center (NCIC) 'hot files'; criminal histories; persons, property, vehicle and other restricted data files
Assist records and jail staff with entering and removing NCIC/MNJIS records
Provide general information not limited to; filing police reports, impounded vehicles, returned property, locations in the county; various telephone, address and contact information, special event information etc.
Search databases for information requested by officers
Court attendance, if necessary

Other Duties:

Notify Shift Supervisor of all critical incidents or other matters requiring their attention
Answer questions and complaints from the public in a courteous and tactful manner
Train new employees
Maintain a clean and respectful work environment while on duty

Qualifications
MINIMUM POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

High School Diploma or GED
Possess and maintain a valid driver's license
Must pass required background check
Must pass required psychological evaluation
Process basic computing skills, including a good knowledge of and experience using: E-mail and Microsoft Outlook, web browsing, basic computer mapping, Adobe pdf viewer, word processing and spreadsheet software, and ability to type 30 WMP.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Communications experience
Two years of experience as a public safety Communications Operator or Dispatch
Experience in Customer Service
Experience or education in law enforcement, fire or EMS training
Previous experience in Criminal Justice, Corrections or Courts

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:

State of MN Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) certification
NIMS Training
Public Safety Telecommunicator Certification
Law Communications Certification
Fire Communications Certification
Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification

Training for the above certifications are provided by the employer and required within six months of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Supplemental Information
HOURS: This position involves Full-time hours which are generally a 12 hour shift in a 24/7/365 environment. You may be required at times to work outside of your regularly scheduled hours under certain circumstances.

SELECTION PROCESS: May include, but not limited to: job related interview process, typing and comprehension testing, criminal history background check, background investigation and psychological evaluation.
Rice & Steele 911 Center offers a complete benefit package including medical, dental, life insurance, holiday, sick leave and long-term disability insurance.
01

Answers to the Supplemental Questions must be supported by the "Education," "Work Experience" or "Skills" section of the job application. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided on your application. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during a hiring interview.By completing this supplemental evaluation you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any information you provide may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal.

I acknowledge I have read and understand the above information.
I do not agree to the above information.

02

Do you have a valid driver's license?

03

Did you graduate from high school or receive a GED?

04

Which best represents your level of education by the date of the job closing?

High School Diploma or GED
Certificate/Diploma 911 Dispatch Program
Associate Degree in Law Enforcement/Emergency services or related field.
Bachelor's Degree in Law Enforcement/Emergency services or related field.
None of the above

05

How many years of dispatch experience do you have in law enforcement and/or fire?

Less than 1 year or none
1 - 2 years
3 - 4 years
5 years or more

06

Describe your proficiency in speaking and understanding ANY OR ALL Spanish/Somali/Sudanese by checking ONE of the answers below:

I do not speak or understand Spanish/Somali/Sudanese.
I speak and understand Spanish/Somali/Sudanese if the conversation is slow and simple.
I speak and understand Spanish/Somali/Sudanese sufficiently well to answer general, multi-part questions.
I speak and understand Spanish/Somali/Sudanese fluently and can communicate on most general knowledge subjects with accuracy and precision.

07

Do you have verifiable working experience using police records software including any of the following: MNCIS, Portals, CJIIN, or CJIS?

08

Do you have verifiable work experience using Computer Aided Dispatch ?

09

Do you have at least one year public safety work experience as a police reserve officer, EMT/Paramedic, law enforcement patrol/deputy or firefighter?

10

What responsibilities have your previous positions included? (select all that apply)

High volume, telephone customer service
Operate communication systems simultaneously, to include: Computers, radios, and phones
Formal training to deal with difficult customers/clients
Carry out detailed and complicated procedures and instructions according to standard operating procedure
Follow record keeping principles and skill maintaining logs
High degree of transcription for alpha numeric data entry/typing
Access a variety of computer information systems and databases to retrieve, verify, and enter data
Interviewing and/or gathering pertinent and relevant information
Training and development of personnel
Read maps and road ways . click apply for full job details