The Maui News

A one-day fast track application event for Maui Police Department emergency services dispatcher positions will be held Saturday, as police look for applicants to fill 17 vacant jobs.

The event begins at 7 a.m. at the Kihei Police Station. 

Emergency services dispatchers handle phone calls to the 911 dispatch center and assign the calls to police officers, firefighters, medics and lifeguards.

“It is a great job,” said Davlynn Racadio, MPD administrative dispatch supervisor. “It is not an easy job.”

The event Saturday condenses an application process that can sometimes take weeks, Racadio said. With county Department of Personnel Services and police administrative services employees on hand, “it’s a little more personal,” she said.

On Saturday, applicants can take the civil service exam, have it scored, be scheduled for an interview and potentially be given a conditional offer of employment by the end of the day. Applicants may be scheduled to complete additional steps of the hiring process by the end of the day as well.

Walk-in applicants who haven’t filled out applications online can do so from 7 to 8 a.m.

From 9 to 11 a.m., the civil service exam will be given for those who meet minimum qualifications. 

So far, about 25 people who have registered can take the exam, Racadio said. 

Interviews are expected to start at 1 p.m. to give officials time to review exam results. 

Psychological testing also may be done in the afternoon.

Racadio said police are seeking to hire additional emergency services dispatchers to provide some relief for current dispatchers, who have been working 12- to 16-hour shifts.

“They are working a lot of overtime,” she said. “It comes from the heart when we say thank you.”

More information is available at www. mauicounty.gov/2220/ESD-Fast-Track-Application-Event.