What's the problem?
Why the problem?
According to communications supervisor Beverly Chavez, there aren't enough qualified applicants. She says of the 100 to 150 who apply, many fail to get past the preliminary skills and knowledge tests, and of those who do, many of them are weeded out by Metro's uncompromising background tests, thus leaving behind few candidates.
Whom is Metro recruiting, to help solve the problem?
Right now, 18-year-old high school seniors. Not just because they often have records clean enough to pass Metro's background tests, but also because this generation is often already adept at handling cell phones, computers and their parents' instructions simultaneously—and multitasking is the core of the dispatcher's job. But anyone of age (18) is encouraged to apply (www.lvmpd.com).
Where's the benefit?
In the salary, which ain't shabby. Entry-level dispatchers make $38,000. Veterans can make $66,000-plus. And Metro offers three weeks of annual vacation; health, vision and dental insurance; and a very nice pension.
When are they looking to hire?
Now. It's a critical job. While Metro is mandated to keep its dispatcher seats occupied at all hours—so that 911 calls aren't missed—many operators are forced to work overtime now, which leads to fatigue and costs taxpayers about $30,000 a week in overtime pay.