Dispatch

Wyoming Highway Patrol Communications Center

We are currently seeking a Dispatcher I for the Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatch Program in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Wyoming Highway Patrol is leaders and partners in public safety, ensuring a safer tomorrow. The Wyoming Highway Patrol is looking for candidates who want a rewarding career and to make a difference. If you're able to calmly and accurately process information, sometimes during high-stress or emergencies, then this job may be perfect for you! At the Wyoming Highway Patrol, we're committed to making a difference while serving with compassion and professionalism.

To apply, click the link below:
Dispatcher I

Dispatcher II

Wyoming Highway Patrol operates a centralized communications center based in Cheyenne. In this center, WHP dispatchers make a difference every day. WHP dispatchers communicate and coordinate not only the efforts of WHP troopers statewide but also the efforts of many other agencies and emergency responders. WHP dispatchers are highly skilled and proficient in the operation of a statewide multi-tower computerized two-way radio network and a multi-faceted, computer-aided dispatch system. WHP dispatchers use these and a variety of other resources too:

Provide a communications link between the public & emergency services
Ensure officers receive necessary assistance and backup with an emphasis on officer safety
Process trooper-initiated traffic stops and any other situations requiring trooper response
Direct emergency response to motor vehicle crashes and other emergencies
Send medical assistance to the injured
Direct aid to disabled motorists
Document officer activities and event details
Provide officers with information from computerized law enforcement files
Furnish information to other law enforcement, the public, and numerous other agencies

Typically no two days are the same for a WHP dispatcher, which certainly provides for a variety within their daily scope of duties.

"WHP Dispatch is a vital link between the public and emergency services, committed to serving with courtesy, professionalism, and compassion." WHP Dispatch's Vision Statement

State Agency Law Enforcement Communications System

The Wyoming Highway Patrol Communications Center is also responsible for providing dispatch services to other agencies via a radio system called the State Agency Law Enforcement Communications System or SALECS. SALECS enables dispatchers to communicate with and dispatch calls to:

Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Wyoming Outfitter Board
Wyoming Livestock Agents
U.S. Bureau of Land Management Law Enforcement
U.S. Forest Service Rangers
State Brand Inspectors
State Park Rangers

What It Takes To Be A WHP Dispatcher

Must be available to work a variety of shifts, as well as holidays and weekends.

Skill in typing information quickly, accurately, and directly into a computer.

Good listening skills and memory.

Ability to prioritize often simultaneous events.

Ability to use good judgment and decision making despite limited information.

Ability to work well with others.

Ability to remain calm, collected, and even-tempered during high-stress emergencies.

Understand the importance of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality.

Careers & Recruiting

Dispatcher Employment Application

To apply for a WHP dispatch position, there must be a vacancy announcement posted for a PSDI04 Highway Patrol Dispatcher I.

Before applying, please call (307) 777-4325 to verify that applications are currently being accepted.

Salary & Benefits

Starting salary for a Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatcher I (PSDI04) is $2645.00/month. Dispatchers are eligible to promote to a Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatcher II (PSDI06) once they have acquired the knowledge and skills of a Dispatcher I and once they have four years of dispatcher work experience. The Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatcher II (PSDI06) salary range is $3004.00-$4240/month.
Wyoming Highway Patrol dispatchers receive competitive pay and a number of "benefits" which include:

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance premiums that are substantially paid for monthly by the State of Wyoming. Healthier Wyoming Program which provides a discount on insurance.
Sick leave that accrues, up to a maximum of eight hours per month to start, based on the number of hours worked each month. An unlimited number of days may be accrued and carried over from year to year.
Vacation time that accumulates based on the number of hours worked each month. The accrual rate increases every five years to a maximum accrual rate of 16 hours a month. Accrued vacation time may be carried over each year, with maximums ranging from 30-48 days, dependent upon the length of service.
Nine paid holidays which are observed each year.
Overtime paid at “time and a half,” 1.5 times the individuals' regular hourly rate.
Longevity Pay, which provides an additional $40 per month for every five years of unbroken service, unlimited accrual.
The State of Wyoming substantially pays · Law Enforcement retirement.
Wyoming 457 Deferred Compensation Plan under which employees may defer a portion of their income to provide a return in investment.
Seventy-five percent reimbursement for tuition for continuing job-related education.
Ongoing, certified training.

Dispatch Testing & Hiring Process

Dispatchers are held to a high standard of professional conduct, which is essential to maintaining the trust of those they serve. The Dispatch hiring process is designed to find qualified individuals capable of meeting the demands and standards of this unique career. The Dispatch hiring and testing process is lengthy and may take up to five months to complete from the time the position opens until a new employee is hired.

Qualified Applicants:

Once Human Resources qualify an application, a letter of invitation to an orientation/test sign-up is sent to the applicant. The orientation describes the hiring process and the Dispatch position. After the orientation, interested applicants are invited to sign up for the CritiCall computerized skills test.

Computerized Skills Test:

The computerized skills tests consist of individual modules that test skills such as data entry, multi-tasking, decision making, prioritization, character comparison, memory recall, reading comprehension, spelling, sentence clarity, map reading, and call summarization. An applicant must pass all modules of the test to continue in the testing and hiring process.

Interview & Psychological Test:

If an applicant passes the CritiCall skills test, they will be scheduled for an oral board style interview and the first of two psychological tests. Scores from the CritiCall test and interview will be used to determine which candidates are under consideration for the position. The psychological test and associated questionnaire will be submitted to a Psychologist for evaluation for only those candidates being considered for the position.

Conditional Offer:

Candidates under final consideration will be offered a conditional offer of employment at which time another psychological test, an interview with a Psychologist and a physical conducted by a medical specialist will be scheduled. The physical schedule includes a drug screening, hearing, and general health exam.

Background Investigations:

Background investigations are also conducted on candidates under final consideration for a Dispatch position. Background investigations include work history, driver history, criminal history, credit history, personal history, and the results of medical and psychological evaluations.

Final Offer:

Candidates who have successfully passed the testing and hiring process will be offered a Dispatch position two or more weeks in advance of the beginning of the basic Dispatch training to give current employers notice.

Contact WHP Direct For Career Information

Training

The Wyoming Highway Patrol Communications Basic Course is comprised of multiple trainer-evaluated phases. Newly hired Dispatchers receive a minimum of four weeks of classroom training, two weeks of call taking training, and eight weeks of on-the-job radio training. The training also fulfills Peace Officer Standard and Training (POST) certification requirements.

During the classroom portion of the Communications Basic Course, new Dispatchers learn about the state geography, state highway system, professionalism and ethics, emergency telephone answering, law enforcement language and codes, law enforcement computer systems, critical incidents, stress management and more. Students will be tested on classroom material and will be expected to participate in simulations in order to learn the role of the Dispatcher in law enforcement and related emergency services.

Call taking training applies the classroom training to a live-work setting. A new Dispatcher is coached and monitored by a Communications Training Officer during this phase of training and will receive daily feedback on their progress.

On-the-job radio training is the final phase of training for a new Dispatcher and lasts a minimum of eight weeks. A new Dispatcher must apply knowledge from the classroom and call taking during their radio training. Again a Communications Training Officer monitors and evaluates the trainee’s progress during this phase. Successful completion of each phase is required before the new Dispatcher is released to work independently.

Dispatchers who become permanent employees are required to complete an additional twenty hours of POST training every two years in order to maintain an Advanced Dispatcher Certification. Dispatchers may also receive a POST Professional Dispatcher Certification if they meet the training experience requirements of the certification.

Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatch