Pathway to Trooper (Dispatcher Trainee)

Title: Pathway to Trooper (Dispatcher Trainee) DSPF0017, DSP0018, DSPF0019

State Role Title: Emergency Coordinator I

Hiring Range: Salary is Negotiable and Commensurate with Experience for Dispatchers. Dispatcher Trainees will start at $38,104

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Department of State Police

Location: Appomattox, Virginia

Agency Website: vsp.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Is your dream to become a Virginia State Trooper, but you’re not yet 21 years of age? The Virginia State Police can help you achieve this dream through our Pathway to Trooper Program. This program is designed for individuals who want to become a Virginia State Trooper but are not old enough (applicants must be at least 21 years of age by their Trooper Basic Session graduation date). With the Pathway to Trooper Program, you could be hired as a full-time Dispatcher Trainee and be given the opportunity to gain valuable insight about the Department, while waiting to attend a Trooper Basic Session. In addition to primarily serving as a Dispatcher, you will also be able to participate in the Trooper pre-employment process as you near a Trooper Basic Session. Also, you will be exposed to Recruitment Unit activities; the Future Trooper Training Program; assignments in the Training Division such as driving or firearms training; assistance as a role player; Trooper ride-alongs; and other activities that allow exposure to the daily responsibilities of a Trooper. Start your State Trooper journey today – apply to the Virginia State Police Pathway to Trooper Program!

We are seeking to expand our diverse team of change makers and innovators. As a member of the Virginia State Police family, you would make a difference by serving every city, county, town, resident, and visitor of the Commonwealth through supporting our vast public safety mission.

Established in 1932, the Virginia State Police has grown to be the largest police department in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As the mission of the Department has continued to expand, our workforce continues to grow. We embrace our tradition of professionalism and excellence, and we are excited for our future as we continue our journey to become best in class. We are firmly committed to our family-like culture and are seeking to expand our diverse team.

We provide an outstanding benefits package, including excellent health insurance, membership in the Virginia Retirement System, deferred compensation, paid leave starting on day one, and other benefits available to Commonwealth of Virginia Employees. This is all available in our Pathway to Trooper Program!

In addition, the Virginia State Police supports its personnel through a comprehensive, holistic Wellness Program. From our Therapy Dog, Piper, to full-time peer support, our wellness staff teaches and coaches “cognitive fitness” for all employees every step of the way. Our Wellness Program fosters a welcoming, peer-oriented, inclusive environment with the resources to support our employees throughout their entire VSP career. We are committed to providing the best so you can be at your best!

Contact Human Resources for additional details.

Job Duties

*Applicants for the Pathway to Trooper program are required to submit a letter of recommendation from their high school counselor or appropriate school division representative. This letter must include academics, leadership positions, extracurricular activities, and/or any employment the student has engaged in.  However, any additional information is welcomed if quested by the student.

Experienced applicants (non-trainees) currently not employed by the state who are hired into the Dispatcher position are eligible for a $5,000 sign-on bonus upon hire with signature of a 12-month agreement. Dispatcher Trainees and transferring state employees are eligible for a $5,000 retention bonus after 10 months of successful service with the signature of a 12-month agreement at 10 months.

Classified Applicants hired into this position who are already working in a Dispatcher function are not eligible for either a sign-on bonus upon hire or a retention bonus after 10 months.

•Candidates with prior dispatching training and experience may be hired as a Dispatcher (Emergency Coordinator II), and the salary offered will be commensurate with experience.

•Candidates with limited experience are hired as a Dispatcher Trainee (Emergency Coordinator I - pay-band 3, $38,104). After satisfactory completion of the Dispatcher Trainee Training Curriculum, employees will progress to a Dispatcher (Emergency Coordinator II - pay-band 4) and will receive a 10% salary increase.

•Experienced candidates who are not placed in a trainee status are not eligible for the 10% salary increase.

•Operates multi-channel radio system.
•Answers multi-line computerized telephone system.
•Enters and retrieves information through Computer-aided Dispatch (CAD) terminal.
•Responds to inquiries and complaints, secures emergency assistance and complies with all Department policies.
•Attendance and punctuality is expected.
•Operates a computerized information network terminal.
•Performs duties as a dispatcher.
•Participates in Recruitment Unit activities, assists with projects, engages with Department employees, participates in assigned activities, and completes assigned training.

Minimum Qualifications

•Some knowledge of the assigned Division’s geographical area including location of important buildings, landmarks, and waterways.
•Skill in keyboarding to include Microsoft software applications for the purposes of data entry and typing in various databases and web-based programs.
•Ability to learn radio codes and operate communications equipment; to effectively communicate in English with the public and Department employees during difficult or stressful situations; to work in a high pressure, high volume environment; to use sound judgement and decision-making skills to evaluate situations and establish priorities while under stress; to solve problems within scope of responsibility, appropriately source complaint/compliment calls correctly, and direct callers to appropriate First Sergeant or Sergeant; to multitask using various resources including radio/telephone/messaging systems, mapping programs, and other sources; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with law enforcement and all those contacted in the course of work.
•Graduation from high school or equivalent.
•Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and able to work holidays, weekends, and rotating shifts.
•Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license at the time of entering the Trooper Basic Session.
•Must be eligible to become Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) certified, which requires either United States (U.S.) citizenship or having been a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and eligible for naturalization.

NOTE: This is an entry level appointment, and the employee must continue to meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for appointment to a future Trooper Basic Session and/or continued satisfactory performance of assigned work activities for continued employment.

Additional Considerations

•Prior First Aid/CPR experience is preferred.

Special Instructions

A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION SHALL BE REQUIRED OF EACH SELECTED APPLICANT

Elements of the selection process include the screening of application(s); the interviewing of qualified candidate(s), to include pre-employment testing, a presentation and/or a work sample, if applicable; salary negotiation(s) if applicable; a background investigation; and a medical evaluation if applicable. The anticipated duration of the pre-employment process is determined by the successful completion of the above items.

Applications, cover letters and/or resumes shall only be accepted on-line through the PageUp recruitment management system at https://jobs.virginia.gov. This position is open until filled. Please limit resumes to four pages and cover letters to one page. Any additional attachments received in excess of this will not be considered.

PageUp provides a confirmation of receipt of your application, resume and/or cover letter submitted successfully. Please refer to your PageUp account to check the status of your application for this position. For questions, please contact the Employment Unit of the Human Resources Division at civilianemployment@vsp.virginia.gov.

The Department of State Police is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual’s race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, parental status, political affiliation, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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