Dispatcher

Dispatching

GS-2151

Position Overview

Would you like to be behind the scenes supporting dangerous and important work? The Department of the Interior has a critical job to do--helping to protect lives, property and resources. Success depends on having the operations necessary to dispatch people, equipment, and resources to support DOI’s operations. Dispatchers coordinate emergency response for all types of incidents, sometimes over large geographic areas.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Land Management
National Park Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate has a strong interest in applying his or her logistical skills to help protect public lands and resources by responding to law enforcement, fire, and other emergency incidents. The ability to communicate clearly and maintain composure during high stress situations is essential. The ideal candidate should be able to multi-task, adapt to new technology, and work well both independently and in team settings.

Specialty Areas

Work Environment

You would work in a shared, indoor office setting that can have high levels of noise and many potential distractions during peak activity periods. Work may include shifts during days, evenings, and overnight, weekends, holidays, and during extreme weather events.

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Clerical and Administrative Support Group Qualification Standard on the OPM website.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Entry:

    • Receiving, transmitting and recording data, communications and resource orders/requests for personnel, supplies, and aircraft
    • Operating multi-channel radio and phone lines
    • Receiving and evaluating emergency calls
    • Collecting, processing, and collating incident information.

  • Mid:

    • Coordinating with other dispatch organizations
    • Determining and communicating status of resources to others
    • Reviewing and updating internal procedures and systems
    • Assists with training.

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Strengths by Level

Entry 3-6
Mid 7-12
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
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    Entry 3-6
    Mid 7-12
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Entry 3-6
    Mid 7-12
  • Decision Making
    Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
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    Entry 3-6
    Mid 7-12
  • Flexibility
    Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.
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    Entry 3-6
    Mid 7-12
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Entry 3-6
    Mid 7-12
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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    Entry 3-6
    Mid 7-12
  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
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    Entry 3-6
    Mid 7-12
  • Reasoning
    Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
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    Entry 3-6
    Mid 7-12
  • Resilience
    Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.
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    Entry 3-6
    Mid 7-12
  • Teamwork
    Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
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    Entry 3-6
    Mid 7-12
  • Technical Competence
    Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
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    Entry 3-6
    Mid 7-12
  • Writing
    Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
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    Entry 3-6
    Mid 7-12

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

48.5%

Telecommunications Processing

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19.7%

General Telecommunications

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9.1%

Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant

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1802 - Compliance Inspection And Support 3%
Less Common Pathways (<2%)

Where We Are

DOI employs people at more than 2,400 locations across the United States and territories. Use the Position Locator tool to see where current DOI employees work. To check for job opportunities, scroll down and click "See jobs on USAjobs.gov."