Montana Highway Patrol Dispatcher

Minimum Qualifications:

MCA 7-31-202 requires all public safety communicators:

(1)       Must be a citizen of the United States;

(2)       Must be at least 18 years of age;

(3)       Must be fingerprinted to disclose any criminal record;

(4)       May not have been convicted of a crime for which the person could have been imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary;

(5)       Must be of good moral character as determined by a background check;

(6)       Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Recognize standard alphanumeric sequences (license plates, vehicle identification numbers, driver license numbers, addresses, highways/mile markers);
• Operate a computer terminal, multi-line phone system and two-way radio system;
• Type at a speed of not less than 40 words per minute;
•  Work under stress and maintain composure;
•  Sit/stand for prolonged periods in a confined space;
•  Refer to and follow policies and procedures;
• Maintain confidentiality of privileged information;
•  Document and disseminate information quickly and accurately by phone, radio, in-person, and through a variety of other systems;
•  Hear, comprehend, and multi-task in a fast-paced/noisy environment;
• Provide effective public safety related services when dealing with both routine and emergency situations. 

Physical Requirements:

The position is sedentary in nature with long periods of sitting or standing in a confined work area; however, dispatchers are required to perform some light lifting, stooping, and bending in the process of working with files and performing routine office duties.

Special Instructions:

The selection procedures to be used in evaluating the applicant's qualification may include, but are not limited to, an evaluation of the résumé, a structured interview, skills assessment, academic transcripts, reference/background checks and fingerprint checks.

Additional materials, references or information submitted by the applicant, but not requested, will not be considered.

Successful applicant(s) will be subject to: 

• Skills Assessment
• Criminal History Fingerprint / Name-based Check
• Background Check
• Driving History Check

Career Ladder – Placement

New employees may be credited with up to three years’ previous related experience with other law enforcement agencies.  

*Minimum training hour requirements must be met in addition to years of experience for advancement.

Required Training Information:

All new employees must successfully complete the centers 11-week training program. The training program consists of 2-weeks classroom instruction Mon-Fri, followed by 9-weeks of structured training broken into 4 phases with a Communications Training Operator (CTO). While completing the training program, new employees will mirror their assigned CTO’s schedule, which may result in differing workdays and hours in each phase of training.

MCA 7-32-303 requires all public safety communicators to complete the 2-week Public Safety Communicator Basic (PSCB) Course at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA) within 12 months of hire. Dispatchers also attend the 4-day Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD) course at MLEA.

Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the centers training program and POST certified PSCB course.

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this position, you must attach a resume at the time of application.

Tip: When attaching your resume, you must mark the attachment as a “Relevant File”.

Your Resume: Please include all work experience as well as job duties that demonstrate your qualifications for this position.  Include dates of employment (month & year- start & end) and the reason you left each job.

A complete online state application is not required.  To initiate an application, attach the resume to be considered for this position.  Failure to attach résumé will result in an incomplete application that will not be considered further.

Only electronic applications will be accepted.  Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date.  Please submit preference documentation to Terri Christianson at Terese.Christianson@mt.gov via File Transfer Service.

To request an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.

Your service is rewarded with competitive compensation and generous State of Montana Benefits.

·       Medical, dental and vision coverage

·       Retirement plans

·       Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays

·       Pre-tax Flexibility Spending Accounts

·       Employee Assistance Program

State of Montana employment may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

This Organization Participates in E-Verify.

Minorities are under-represented in this position and are encouraged to apply.