DEADLINE TO APPLY: Open Until Filled
Please note, this is the posting for the "Lateral Communications Operator" position. See below for Lateral Communications Operator requirements.
The City of Hayward is adhering to the Alameda County Public Health Department’s order to shelter in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. While the order is in effect, the City is allowing for the typing certificate requirement to be satisfied later in the selection process. The typing certificate is not required to apply for the position, but will be required prior to appointment.
THE POSITION:
The City of Hayward is excited to announce its recruitment for the position of
Lateral Communications Operator. DEFINITION
Under general supervision from the Communications Supervisor, the Communications Operator operates a computer aided dispatch system receiving calls and dispatching police, fire or other City services.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a journey technical level position in which incumbents are expected to independently perform the full range of duties assigned. This class is distinguished from the Communications Supervisor in that the latter provides technical and functional supervision over assigned communication personnel.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Communications Center in the Support Services Division of the Hayward Police Department is responsible for dispatching both Police and Fire Services throughout the City of Hayward. The Hayward Police Department is one of 18 CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement) accredited police departments in California and is committed to maintaining CALEA's high standards and broadly recognized excellence.
The Communications Center is frequently the first point of contact that a member of the public will have when requesting assistance from the City of Hayward. The information gathered by the communications operator during this contact is critical to a positive outcome. The Communications Center consists of six (6) stations with each communications operator assigned to a specific job.
Essential Duties
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
Receives emergency and non-emergency calls from the public, private companies and other jurisdictions.
Dispatches police and fire personnel or other City services in response to such calls.
Relays emergency and non-emergency information to public safety personnel in the field.
Relays information to other agencies as required.
Monitors multiple frequencies.
Maintains accurate record of location and status of public safety units.
Operates a manual dispatch system when necessary.
Assists in relaying information during response to natural disasters.
Performs related work as necessary.
JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
- English usage, including comprehension and grammar.
Ability to:
- Read and comprehend information and instructions.
- Learn to operate manual and computer aided radio and telephone equipment in dispatching public safety equipment and personnel.
- Perform several job tasks effectively under pressure for sustained periods of time.
- Memorize and retain information from a variety of sources.
- Interpret information from distraught, incoherent or angry callers and relay critical facts to appropriate emergency or nonemergency personnel.
- Assign priorities both to incoming calls and to the dispatch of calls for service.
- Speak clearly and concisely via radio, telephone and in person.
- Respond to requests for emergency and nonemergency services in a professional and courteous manner.
- Type accurately at a speed of 35 words per minute.
- Work various shifts, including day, swing and graveyard as well as weekends and holidays.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
A complete job description and list of duties can be found at www.hayward-ca.gov.
Minimum Qualifications
LATERAL REQUIREMENTS:
Experience: Two (2) years of experience as a public safety dispatcher for a Public Safety Answering Point, including heavy public contact while performing multiple tasks and using a computer-aided dispatch system.
Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.
Licenses and Certificates: Completion of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic Public Safety Dispatcher course is highly desirable.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The City of Hayward is adhering to the Alameda County Public Health Department’s order to shelter in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. While the order is in effect, the City is allowing for the typing certificate requirement to be satisfied later in the selection process. The typing certificate is not required to apply for the position, but will be required prior to appointment.
Typing Certificate: A typing certificate with 35 net words per minute
1. Certificates will be accepted from a public school, business school or temporary agency;
certificates from Internet testing services and/or home computer CD testing will NOT be accepted.2. Typing certificate (or signed statement on official letterhead from the testing agency) must be
dated no earlier than six (6) months prior to the date of the application filing.
3. Typing certificate (or signed letter) must state all of the following information:
· Five (5)-minute timed typing test.
· Gross typing speed in words per minute.
· Gross number of errors.
· Net words per minute.
