Job Information

BLOOMINGTON, CITY OF
115 E. WASHINGTON ST., SUITE 301
BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS 61701
3094342216
http://www.bloomingtonil.gov

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Bookmark: http://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/fullJobDetails.cfm?agencyjobid=2102&jobid=6&agentid=785

Updated: January 30, 2025

NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS AT THIS TIME

Position Title: Public Safety Dispatcher

The City of Bloomington is building an eligibility list for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher. Candidates are required to complete the following to be considered for the position:

NTN's Ecomm National Exam
Public Safety Self-Assessment
Typing Test
Ecomm National Computer Simulations (taken separately through your NTN account)
Department application

Must submit application on City's website in order to be considered.

Salary Information: $26.21 per hour

Benefit Information:

Healthcare/Wellness

Medical - choice between a lower deductible PPO, an HSA-compatible PPO, and an HMO
All plans administered by BCBS
73% employer subsidy provided, for employee and any covered dependent(s). Working spouse exclusion applies, however, to the Medical Plan
Dental - PPO
Administered by BCBS
50% employer subsidy provided, for employee and any covered dependent(s)
Vision - PPO
Administered by VSP
50% employer subsidy provided, for employee and any covered dependent(s)
Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Extensive Wellness program, including an annual Health Club Reimbursement
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – for assistance with work, health & life topics such as overall wellbeing, relationship management, workplace challenges, addiction, child/elder care resources, legal advice, financial guidance, nutrition & physical health

Paid Time Off (PTO)

2 weeks' vacation, provided on your start date
3 weeks at 5 years of service
4 weeks at 11 years of service
5 weeks at 20 years of service
2 personal days provided each year
Opportunity to earn a Wellness Day each year
1 sick day earned each month, up to a maximum bank of 90 days

Retirement

Automatic enrollment in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Pension – benefit details can be found here
Voluntary retirement options available:
- 457 Account (similar to a 401k)
- Roth IRA
- Additional Voluntary After-Tax Contribution (VAC) plan via IMRF

City/County Information: City of Bloomington / McLean County
Home of Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan and Heartland Community College. State Farm Insurance Headquarters, Country Insurance Headquarters, Rivian and Ferrero Rocher.

Population: 78,283

Job Requirements

Age : 18

Citizenship Required : Yes

High School Grad/GED : Yes

Ability to Read/Speak English : Yes

Necessary Certifications: Must be able to obtain and maintain the following licenses and certifications within a given time frame.

Illinois Department of Public Health, Emergency Medical Dispatcher
Illinois State Police, Full Access Certification, Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS)
American Heart Association, CPR Certification
International Academy of Emergency Dispatch Certifications:
Emergency Telecommunicator Course (ETC)
Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD)
Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD)

Job Duties: This list may not include all tasks and/or knowledge which may be expected of the employee, nor does it cover all specific duties which may be required. Other duties may be assigned.

Using training and policies to screen requests for emergency services; answering them professionally, recognizing if a call is received from telephone, text, video, or an automated data feed.
Using appropriate technology to communicate with callers.
Using knowledge of law enforcement, fire, and EMS protocols to prioritize and sequence calls promptly in limited time with limited or no supervision.
Demonstrating clear and effective communications with active listening, call control, judgment, respect, and empathy with callers that range from calm to panicked.
Providing pre-arrival and post-dispatch instructions to those that are requiring assistance during high-stress situations, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), childbirth, hemorrhaging, active-shooter, and entrapments.
Managing challenging callers using appropriate handling of distressed, autistic, hearing-impaired, elderly, angry, and foreign-language-speaking callers.
Providing direct counseling to suicidal persons, domestic violence victims, and children.
Ascertaining incident information by obtaining and verifying caller information and location, determining the nature of the incident, and all available data including but not limited to automated data, social media information, text message, images or video, and providing information to emergency services either verbally and/or digitally.
Using TDD and relay services to comply with standards for handling calls from hearing-impaired callers.
Utilizing language interpretation services and coordinating with mental health resources for appropriate contacts with callers who have mental health or language barriers to receiving help.
Using text-to-911 to communicate effectively with callers.
Interpreting caller location by using geographic knowledge, tools, and location tracking capabilities when available.
Interpreting automatic number and automatic location data provided by the emergency communications phone system and verifying data using mapping software for accuracy and reliability.
Maintaining communications during life-threatening emergencies, providing safety/lifesaving instructions, and maintaining control of the conversation until field units arrive on scene.
Using available vehicular, bystander, and/or law enforcement information for the purpose of protecting the public at the scene as well as on-scene responders by identifying the need for advanced life support resources or specialized fire extraction equipment.
Utilizing training and reference resources when determining the nature and priority of emergency incidents that have live-streaming videos, graphic images, and text.
Using training and operational protocols to take appropriate action such as: relaying critical information, dispatching/initiating emergency response services, or referring callers to other agencies.
Documenting incident details quickly and accurately to establish incident urgency, categorizing the incident type and obtaining the proper help for the caller.
Demonstrating clear and effective communications and active listening with public safety responders using appropriate terminology, codes, and signals.
Relaying initial information for dispatch accurately, reviewing the call for service details, and assuming incident command until first responders arrive.
Conducting health and safety status checks of responders and using other available technology to ensure on-scene responders’ safety.
Documenting thoroughly and accurately all incident activities while maintaining awareness of scene activities.
Operating emergency, administrative, and backup telephone and radio communications systems effectively.
Facilitating the transferring of calls to the appropriate resources and performing conference calls with entities, such as but not limited to poison control centers or helicopter dispatch.
Interpreting and understanding local and regional geography to quickly and accurately identify the location of the emergency to improve response times of field responders.
Operating a sophisticated workstation comprised of multiple computer systems, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software and geographical information systems (GIS), state and federal clearinghouses, call handling including teletypewriter (TTY) and text-to-911 sessions, as well as communications systems such as radio dispatch consoles and recording systems.
Operating multiple systems and conversations simultaneously without mistake.
Notifying key personnel of critical incidents, using judgment to determine the need to contact other law enforcement and public safety agencies for additional information and resources as needed, or relaying information regarding incidents and situational awareness.
Activating mass community warning and notification software programs to inform the public of impending critical information related to such things as severe weather impacts, potential injury or life-safety events.
Managing chain of custody for records and documentation used in court proceedings and legal discovery.
Maintaining a calm demeanor under chaotic and stressful circumstances, multiple conversations, and frequently noisy environments.
Completing training, certifications, and competencies as needed by actively seeking training, completing the training and certifications required for assigned PST positions, and completing continuing education and career development as necessary.
Following established agency policies and procedures, being aware of liability to the agency, and adhering to federal disclosure and privacy laws.
Using debriefing tools, stress management techniques. and critical incident response models to deal with mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Work is performed in an emergency communications center. The work level can fluctuate from minimal to fast-paced and high volume. The employee deals with crisis situations that require them to quickly make major decisions involving people, resources, and property with frequently limited direction.
The PSD may be asked to work scheduled shifts at any time of the day and on weekends and holidays. Must be able to cope in a safe manner with stressful situations, emotional callers, responders, and unprofessional contacts. Under unusual circumstances, the PSD may be required to perform duties at or near the scene of any emergency.
This position is designated as essential and must report to work during times when other facilities maybe closed. This position is subject to call back and hold over to maintain minimum staffing 24/7.

Job Requirements

Necessary Certifications:
N/A

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