JOPLIN, Mo. — More and more emergency dispatch centers are seeing “help wanted” signs.

The Jasper County 9-1-1 call center has seen openings staying at three to four positions. The Joplin city dispatch currently has five positions unfilled.

They’re just part of an industry-wide trend that has national rates at 15 – 20 percent. The Jasper County dispatch director says the job requires a unique set of skills.

“All where people do everything call taking and dispatching and all the training takes quite a while and the job can be very stressful at times it’s very rewarding. So we are, we’re looking for that right person,” said April Ford, Jasper Co. Emergency Services.

For more on local dispatch hiring, click here.