What It Takes To Be A Dispatcher

These positions require excellent interpersonal skills, good memory retention and the ability to calmly and accurately process information during high stress or emergency situations.

Flexibility in Your Schedule
Successful applicants must be willing to work rotating shifts, (days, swing, graveyard), weekends, holidays, etc. as our centers must be staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Currently our dispatchers work four ten hour shifts a week.

A Clean Past
Applicants for positions within the Idaho State Police are subject to an extensive personal history background check including substance screening and polygraph prior to employment. They must have good basic computer skills and must be able to type 50 net words per minute or more and be able to submit a certificate valid within the previous six months attesting to this skill.

Idaho State Police Regional Communications Officers operate a base radio station and related equipment in receiving messages and relaying information between Idaho State Police and emergency personnel to accident and crime scenes. These positions are the critical links between police, emergency personnel, and the public.

Calmness When Under Pressure
Incumbents conduct interviews with people from differing socioeconomic backgrounds in emotionally charged and stressful circumstances. Regional Communications Officers receive calls from individuals with differing levels of comprehension and/or who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This requires patience and understanding as well as prompt, courteous, and accurate handling of information in conflicting situations and life-threatening emergencies.

Regional Communications Officers prepare written documentation and type reports. Work involves rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays. You must be physically able to hear and record messages transmitted over radio, telephone, or similar devices.