High turnover is a significant challenge for emergency first responder roles. According to the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch, the average vacancy rate in 911 centers across America was about 25% from 2019 to 2022. Colorado is not exempt from this statistic- our emergency response teams also struggle to hire 911 Communications Specialists and Dispatchers in Colorado. As of writing this, there are over 45 different job postings for emergency dispatchers active across the state.
The Challenge: High Turnover in High-Stress Roles
These emergency dispatch and 911 dispatch roles are critical to successful emergency responses. As one ABC article put it, successful dispatch operations are “the difference between life and death. It’s that simple,” quoting Sharon McDonough, director of the 911 dispatch center in Tucson, Arizona. “We don’t know what’s on the other end of that phone, and that person might be dying right in that moment or about to be killed right in that moment.”
These essential roles come with intense pressure, high-stress environments, and demanding responsibilities. The extensive training and investment required for these roles make turnover costly, both financially and operationally. Identifying and retaining the right candidates is essential to maintaining effective emergency services.
The Solution: PDP JobScan Behavioral Assessment
The PDP JobScan is a powerful tool designed to streamline the hiring process and help organizations identify top-performing candidates for high-stress roles. Here’s how it can make a difference:
Key Benefits
- Improve Accuracy: Identify candidates with the behavioral skills necessary to excel under pressure.
- Enhance Retention: Select individuals who are not only qualified but also naturally aligned with the job’s demands, reducing energy drain and turnover.
- Save Time and Resources: Focus hiring efforts on candidates most likely to succeed, improving efficiency and reducing hiring errors.
- Go Beyond Personality: JobScan Surveys also identify energy style and capacity, so you can identify how someone likes to work and how many different plates they can successfully juggle at once.
- EEOC and ADA-Compliant: This hiring behavioral assessment has been independently tested and validated to ensure that you will successfully be able to make non-discriminatory hiring decisions.
Video: Syntrak Hiring Assesments
Proven Success in Emergency Services
The PDP JobScan has a strong track record in high-pressure situations, used by 32 active military bases worldwide and organizations like the U.S. Marshals. In Colorado, Syntrak has implemented this assessment for:
- El Paso County Sheriff: Including Emergency Services Dispatchers
- Longmont 911 Communications Department
- Colorado Springs Fire Department: Including Fire Chief and OEM Deputy Director roles
- Colorado Springs Police Department Public Safety Communications Center
- American Medical Response: For paramedic positions
- CU Boulder Police: Used for selecting the Police Chief
- Kent Police Department
“The Colorado Springs Police Department Public Safety Communications Center has had great experience implementing the PDP process. With (Syntrak’s) expertise, we developed a job model for our two position classifications. I am confident that using this model to select future employees will reduce the turnover we have experienced in the past.
The coaching and team sessions are also extremely valuable… This will ultimately reduce turnover, which result in a significant savings to our budget, as we will be replacing fewer people. The training process is lengthy in our center, and as those in this industry know, the replacement process for new employees can take months. Overall, the PDP training… was some of the best management training I have ever received.”
Custom-Designed Solutions
When you purchase a PDP JobScan solution from us, you’re getting more than just a behavioral analysis of candidates. Our standard package includes:
- Custom creation of ideal candidate profile, using star players from YOUR team and the hiring manager’s input
- Modification to company Job Advertisement to ensure you attract the right type of candidate for your team
- 10 PDP ProScan Hiring Assessments sent to applicants
- Individual feedback and evaluation of each candidate
- Interview questions customized to candidates’ behavioral profile
- Onboarding Coaching Session with Selected Applicant to ensure they-and you- can start off on the right foot
Our JobScan package is an affordable hiring solution for 911 and emergency dispatchers in Colorado- solutions range from $2,000 to $3,000, depending on your unique needs.
Read more about our hiring assessment services
Tailored Insights for Better Results
By using a behavioral assessment like the PDP JobScan, your organization can gain valuable insights into a candidate’s natural strengths and suitability for high-stress roles. This approach leads to better hiring decisions, stronger team performance, and lower turnover.
Let’s Connect
I’d love to provide your team with a complimentary assessment to demonstrate the process and discuss how we can support you in building a stronger, more resilient team.
If you’re interested, please email me at Tim@syntrakinternational.com
“We hoped to meet our goal of reducing recidivism through (Syntrak’s) program. Traditionally, turnover in police, fire, and medical dispatching nationwide is 30 percent or more. Ours was no different.
We moved forward… to develop a dispatcher profile and job advertisement, both of which have proven to be successful. Our current turnover rate is 2.8 percent. Our personnel regularly display enthusiasm and a strong commitment to work ethic and professionalism. I would highly recommend Syntrak International to any organization that is seeking improvement within their workforce.”
-Elizabeth B., Assistant Communications Manager
El Paso County Sherrif’s Office