Pros
While some think 'privatization' is a bad word, many organizations have turned to solutions that promise speed to market, better service levels, and some long-term cost efficiency. Call it what you want, managed services, outsourcing, crowdfunding, or shared services - government and businesses are doing more of it every day to stay ahead of their growing needs and costs in this difficult-to-navigate economy. These arguments are challenged every day by nay-sayers. As the high costs of crime, public pensions, and inflation eat at municipal budgets, the growing challenge of safety falls squarely on communities to re-engineer their thinking. This company has beaten all the odds. They've proven that private/public partnerships can work effectively, evident from their fully-managed solution operating in Georgia now for nearly 15 years. In addition, IXP operates other sites in four different states where they train/certify/staff, and manage personnel operating out of state government and locally municipal-owned complexes too. The company is committed to its people by providing competitive wages, a solid 401K and benefits plan, and a good work/life balance while recognizing and celebrating its diversity too. IXP actively promotes from within providing current employees opportunities to move up within the organization supporting corporate, field training, sales, and technology consulting roles.
Cons
Not everyone is cut out for this type of high-pressure role. It takes a special kind of candidate to be a 911 emergency communications dispatcher. Like most municipalities, IXP is not immune to the current staffing challenges and turnover already plaguing the Public Safety industry. While many PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points) continue to operate at well below shift coverage compliance capacity, IXPs' coverage and performance levels continue to perform at much higher levels than the national average. IXP's onboarding process is rigorous; hiring, training, testing, and certification, and can take a few weeks before a new dispatcher can fly solo. This environment can be stressful for some.
