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POLICE ASSISTANT

Salary Range: $19.85 to $30.87/hour; temporary part-time, non-benefitted position, DOE

DEFINITION

The Police Assistant is a civilian, non-sworn, uniformed position that is responsible for a variety of customer service-based interactions with the community. Duties include non-hazardous enforcement of municipal parking laws and regulations as well as clerical front counter tasks related to phone and walk-in contacts at the police department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Administrative Assistant. Projects are assigned, and the person usually works with very little supervision. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/DUTIES

• Handle confidential administrative duties at the front desk.
• Answer/forward all incoming phone calls.
• The ability to multi task phones with walk-in traffic
• Perform a variety of research & staff work; prepare reports.
• Maintain records using computers.
• Maintain filing system.
• Coordinate Parking Permits for business employees.
• Receive and respond to complaints and reports of routine parking incidents from the public.
• Respond to public complaint of abandoned vehicles; document and schedule tows for abandoned vehicles; and ensures proper disposition of illegally parked vehicles; patrols city streets and issues citations on vehicles parked in an unlawful manner.
• Assist in organizing and coordinating department events and community outreach programs.
• Manage office supplies and equipment inventory, placing orders as needed.
• Operate computer equipment and two-way radio as related to employment.
• Mark vehicles to detect abuse of timed areas.
• As required testifies in court.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Perform duties within OSHA standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge: 

• Microsoft Office: Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Principles and practices of records management.

Ability to:     

• Effectively communicate verbally and through written correspondence.
• Compose correspondence independently from brief instructions.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Analyze situations and identify pertinent problems/issues; collect relevant information; evaluate realistic options; and recommend /implement appropriate course of action.
• Perform technical, detailed, and responsible office support work.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and Town staff, in person and over the phone.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience: 

Prefer one year in a non-sworn capacity with a municipal police agency involving clerical work and public contact.

Education:   

High school graduation or equivalent.

Licenses:      

California Driver's License, C.L.E.T.S. certification upon hire.

Per Diem Dispatchers will provide public safety dispatching at Levi's Stadium and/or Santa Clara Police/Fire Communications.

 

As an as-needed employee, this is an "at-will" position and there is no guarantee of hours. Hours are limited to 999 in a fiscal year or 960 hours in a fiscal year for retired CalPERS annuitants. 

 

THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT. MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS.  ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW. 

 

 

 

Typical Duties

 

Duties may include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Operates base radio console equipment, transmitting and receiving routine and emergency messages
• Receives emergency and routine requests for services from the public via 9-1-1, alternate emergency lines, and business lines
• Dispatches appropriate emergency vehicles, equipment, and personnel in response to those requests, in accordance with established policies and procedures
• Coordinates emergency operations between various departmental personnel and equipment
• Operates data terminals for information pertaining to daily public safety operations and general emergency services
• Maintains written logs, files, and computer information in the prescribed manner
• Updates computer files and performs other clerical functions and tasks as directed
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Receives emergency and routine requests for services from the public via 9-1-1, alternate emergency lines, and business lines

 

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Education Requirements: 

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED

 

Minimum Experience Requirements: 

• The equivalent of two (2) years of paid employment experience in public safety dispatching within the past five (5) years of which at least one (1) year included solo status; or
• Five (5) years of current paid employment with a public safety agency or private emergency medical services agency, with high level Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), radio and/or telephone operation; or
• Successful completion of probationary period as a Public Safety Dispatcher I with the City of Santa Clara.

 

License/Certifications: 

Possession of a current P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatch certificate is required.

 

Other Requirements:  

• Incumbents must have the ability to work, as assigned, on schedules that may include Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and non-traditional work hours.
• Must be able to perform all the essential functions of the job assignment.  All candidates will be required to pass a City background investigation, which will include fingerprinting and/or psychological testing.

 

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

 

Knowledge of:

• General public safety radio and telephone communications systems
• Police and fire emergency procedures
• Primary roads, streets, highways, major buildings, and public facilities within the City's boundaries

 

Skill In: 

• Reading and interpreting maps; and maintaining accurate records

 

Ability to: 

• Read, write, spell, and speak in clear, concise English
• Learn correct telephone answering techniques, policies and procedures
• Operate computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system with sufficient speed and accuracy to document field activity and create calls for service within response criteria guidelines
• Analyze situations quickly and accurately, while taking effective action to assure public safety provider and citizen safety
• Follow verbal and written instructions
• Communicate clearly and distinctly using radio and telephone equipment
• Maintain composure and work accurately in emergency situations
• Work in a team-based environment and achieve common goals
• Establish and maintain tactful, courteous, and effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work, including the general public
• Work in a confined area, wearing a headset which restricts physical movement about the work area
• Accurately enter information into the CAD system while simultaneously receiving information by phone or radio
• Retrieve data from CAD terminal or other keyboard device, maintain appropriate documentation of previous events, details, and conversations
• Work in a highly structured environment where all communications are recorded or documented and reviewed as public record
• Handle multiple priorities and organize workload
• Extract information or data from other computer systems
• View multiple video display terminals for extended periods of time in low variable light conditions
• Distinguish and interpret the meaning of colors on video display terminals
• Distinguish and comprehend simultaneous communications from several sources
• Work continuously or uninterrupted as required, standing or sitting for extended periods of time
• Perform with a high standard of customer service, professional conduct, and civic responsibility
• Use emergency medical questioning techniques and provide medical instructions via telephone when required
• Type at a net rate of 35 wpm on a computer keyboard

 

 

Additional Information: 

You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applications must be filled out completely (i.e. do not write “see resume or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Possession of a current P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatch certificate. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. Applications will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis for consideration to the position.  If you are interested in applying you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the position is closed.

 

The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov. 

 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general supervision of a Senior Public Safety Dispatcher or Watch Commander and the overall direction of the Communications Operations Manager.

 

TO VIEW JOB ANNOUNCEMENT, CLICK JOB PDF OR JOB ANNOUNCEMENT URL BELOW.