Pros
This job is a public service job in the public safety field. It is not a "glory job", but, some of the Pros IMO are ... *it is different every day, challenging, and never boring. *There are growth opportunities, promotion opportunities *Some approved extra-curricular activities are allowed during slow times of the day (phone / laptop / reading) *Employees can wear what they want, no uniform. *Employees can have appropriate tattoos showing / be unique in hairstyles and makeup choices *Inclusive / diversity supporting environment *Work hours are guaranteed hours *Once signed off you get to know your assigned shift and days off for a year at a time to plan around it The job is recession proof and there is a lot of job security. *The job can be very satisfying and I always feel it is an important career that directly makes a difference in my community. *There are guaranteed pay scale raises, yearly COLA's, great Healthcare, generous combined PTO package when compared to many, many other workplaces. *The employees/co-workers become like family. *Technology is always changing so there are changes that can be seen as fun and exciting for many people to take on. *There is a lot of overtime opportunity if you need to pay for things or plan for a purchase. *This Center dispatches for many Law, Fire, and EMS agencies, there is always something to learn which can be exciting and never boring.
Cons
Some things that can also be Cons.... *While the hours are set - the mandates and the shift work can be BRUTAL. *The schedules DEMANDS a lot of sacrifice from family and there is difficulty finding work-life balance for a lot of people. *While the pay is good, there is room for improvement to be more aligned with other nearby commutable centers who do less work for more money - they just happen to have a bigger tax base. *Shift work is hard - some shifts you may be placed on that you do not like or don't work great for family for months at a time. *This center dispatches for Fire, EMS, AND Law - we do not have designated call-takers, and the dispatchers have to assist in a lot of records keeping tasks which a lot of other centers do NOT need to do. *The overtime fluctuates greatly depending on staffing levels and events - it can take years to become adapted to the demand this job requires of one's life - it is a sacrifice in the name of public safety. *Even once tenured and adapted to the work demands, there will be weeks and months that you practically live at work at times. It's very hard to balance and cope with that without effort sometimes. *Some people do less while others do significantly more, workload sharing is an issue amongst employees without any repercussions for those who slack off and make others pick up the slack *The technology is always changing, so change happens a lot to the tools we use which can be seen as confusing and complicated to keep up with and adapt to for some.
