I checked my email when I came back to work yesterday and one of my co-workers sent an email letting me know when the supervisor interviews would most likely be held. I already knew my application was accepted and which ranking I held. My score was posted, a 98 out a one hundred points. Funny thing, the top three people all scored 98 out of a possible 100. What did I not do (or did) to have missed out on the two points? I can't seem to quit mulling over that...
After a stint as a supervisor at a PSAP, I didn't think I'd ever put in for another position again, especially another working supervisor. So much work for little extra pay. Is it really worth the hassle?
The truth be told, I couldn't sit back and watch a person from an outside agency come in again and muddle up the smooth workings of our communications center. Okay, it may not happen that way. An outside person could walk in and fit right in. It's a 50-50 toss up. The last person didn't; the next one?
If I don't at least try, then I can't complain later. I'm not known as a person to sit back and do nothing. I don't just whine and cry our how unfair life is. I've never been afraid to admit to my mistakes - hey, we all make them. I remember reading an article many years ago where the author wrote that mistakes are the only thing we can truly call our own. How true! I also believe that employers respect those of us who admit to mistakes. I've found out over time that when I tell my boss 'I didn't do or say that' my bosses generally take my word. After all, I will fess up when I mess up, and in many cases, I've gone to them before they heard about my screw-ups from someone else.
Our Comm center has a decent group of dispatchers. We work well together. Each one of us are veteran dispatchers and three of us started in the field before moving inside to work behind the radio. We've all worked at other agencies prior to signing on here. Combining our total years, we probably have at least 80 years in the profession. We've attended funerals for officers, visited co-workers in the hospital, remember times before CAD, and even remember working without cell phones and portable radios.
We're old dogs. What was I thinking? Is it too late to back out?
I'll continue through the process, of course. No matter who is chosen, we'll do as we did before. Give us a chance and we'll work with the new supervisor. Respect us and we'll respect him/her. Isn't that how it should be? I like to think I've matured in wisdom as I've grown older. I'm not the type A person I was 15 years ago, taking on a dozen projects at one time. Knowing when to act fast and when to relax is the key.
That's why I love my current department. Easy going, low key, with that edge of danger inherent to law enforcement, but decent people who enjoy what they do. There aren't many burn-outs working here.
Come to think of it, this is the perfect place to be a supervisor.