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THE DEPARTMENT

The Public Works department consists of approximately 72 full time employees and is responsible for maintaining and improving the city’s streets, parks, water and stormwater systems, traffic signals, trees, fleet and public buildings.  The Transportation Division promotes the safe movement of people and goods throughout the city by maintaining and enhancing a functional and efficient transportation network.  The division promotes the use of public transit, ride sharing, bicycles, and walking and manages the City’s 40 traffic signals, 2200 streetlights, and overall roadway network. They also coordinate the free shuttles, safety education, and neighborhood traffic calming programs. 

Public Works is responsible for building and maintaining the City’s infrastructure and facilities, and for providing many of the basic services affecting the daily lives of everyone living, working, visiting, and commuting within the City, including: 

• 26 City-owned buildings/facilities and their grounds
• A fleet of over 250 vehicles and pieces of equipment
• 97 miles of streets
• Drinking water delivery for 16,000 customers
• Flood protection and stormwater management programs particularly along the San Francisco Bay, San Francisquito Creek and Atherton Channel
• 14 parks, 2 open spaces, 14 playgrounds, 2 dog parks, 9 sports fields, and 14 tennis/pickleball courts
• Efforts to preserve and expand the urban canopy, including 20,000 public trees
• Multimodal transportation services including 42 traffic signals, safe routes to schools and citywide shuttle programs. 

The department has 72 full-time equivalent staff members and a nearly $40 million operating budget supported by over 25 different special/dedicated funding sources for the varied programs and services provided to the community. In addition, the City has an approximately $100 million capital program, in part due to a successful track record in pursuing grants from a variety of local, state and federal sources. Some of the exciting efforts on the horizon include efforts to protect the San Francisco Bay shoreline and adjacent community from sea level rise; efforts to eliminate the City’s reliance on fossil fuels through building and fleet electrification; making investments in transportation safety through strategic quick-build projects and large infrastructure changes like a pedestrian/bicycle undercrossing at Caltrain; and ensuring the equitable delivery of services throughout the entire city in alignment with the goals and programs developed as part of the city’s first environmental justice element underway.

THE POSITION

The Assistant Public Works Director – Transportation is one of three Assistant Director classifications in the Public Works Department and reports directly to the Public Works Director.  This position has oversight of the Transportation Division, which includes overseeing the division’s staff and operations. This role will direct and participate in major activities and programs of the Division’s functions including but not limited to transportation planning and engineering, and/or utilities sections.

In managing and coordinating division service for large and complex transportation projects, the incumbent will provide oversight and input into conceptual design while meeting with stakeholders to interpret and explain procedures, permitting, and transportation impact analyses. The person in this role will review plans and documents, providing comments for development projects associated with permits and environmental review requirements.  They will also prepare transportation impact analysis reports and transportation sections of environmental impact reports in accordance with local, CEQA and NEPA requirements. 

THE DEPARTMENT

The Public Works department consists of approximately 72 full time employees and is responsible for maintaining and improving the city’s streets, parks, water and stormwater systems, traffic signals, trees, fleet and public buildings.  The Engineering Division is responsible for managing the City’s capital improvement program and for the review of development projects for compliance with city standards, ordinances, permits, regulations, and statutes.  Public Works is responsible for building and maintaining the City’s infrastructure and facilities, and for providing many of the basic services affecting the daily lives of everyone living, working, visiting, and commuting within the City, including: 

• 26 City-owned buildings/facilities and their grounds
• A fleet of over 250 vehicles and pieces of equipment
• 97 miles of streets
• Drinking water delivery for 16,000 customers
• Flood protection and stormwater management programs particularly along the San Francisco Bay, San Francisquito Creek and Atherton Channel
• 14 parks, 2 open spaces, 14 playgrounds, 2 dog parks, 9 sports fields, and 14 tennis/pickleball courts
• Efforts to preserve and expand the urban canopy, including 20,000 public trees
• Multimodal transportation services including 42 traffic signals, safe routes to schools and citywide shuttle programs. 

The department has 72 full-time equivalent staff members and a nearly $40 million operating budget supported by over 25 different special/dedicated funding sources for the varied programs and services provided to the community. In addition, the City has an approximately $100 million capital program, in part due to a successful track record in pursuing grants from a variety of local, state and federal sources. Some of the exciting efforts on the horizon include efforts to protect the San Francisco Bay shoreline and adjacent community from sea level rise; efforts to eliminate the City’s reliance on fossil fuels through building and fleet electrification; making investments in transportation safety through strategic quick-build projects and large infrastructure changes like a pedestrian/bicycle undercrossing at Caltrain; and ensuring the equitable delivery of services throughout the entire city in alignment with the goals and programs developed as part of the city’s first environmental justice element underway.

THE POSITION

The Assistant Public Works Director – Engineering is one of three Assistant Director classifications in the Public Works Department and reports directly to the Public Works Director.  This position has oversight of the Engineering Division, which includes overseeing the division’s staff and operations. This role will direct and participate in major activities and programs of the Division’s functions including but not limited to civil engineering, capital improvement projects, land development engineering, as well as manage related management-level classifications that may also oversee these functional areas such as the City Engineer/Engineering Services Manager.

In managing and coordinating division service for large and complex capital projects, the incumbent will provide oversight and input into conceptual design while meeting with stakeholders to interpret and explain plan review as well as permitting and inspection processes. The person in this role will review plans and documents, providing comments for development projects associated with permits and environmental review requirements. They will also interpret municipal code related to right-of-way permitting and federal, state, and local regulations for utilities including storm water and water quality.

The City of Pacifica

Invites you to apply for:

COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER

This is a Full Time, non-sworn, recruitment. 

Under direction of a Division Commander and supervision of a Sergeant, relieves sworn police personnel from a variety of non-hazardous tasks and responds to service calls of a non-felonious and non-violent nature, and performs other duties as assigned.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

• Responds to a wide variety of non-hazardous service calls and thoroughly investigates all details of incidents;
• Observe, report and may follow-up on conditions which pose potential threats to public safety, health and welfare and the quality of life;
• Read and write at the levels necessary to perform the job of a community service officer
• Write non-moving parking violations;
• Act as department liaison between homeless persons and local homeless, mental health, and social services providers;
• Investigate, report on, and arrange for towing of abandoned vehicles on public and private property;
• Provide traffic control at emergency situations, special events and at other times as assigned;
• Respond to, or assist sworn officers at accident or crime scenes by taking reports and photographs, fingerprints, prepare diagrams and other activities as assigned;
• Transport officers, equipment, witnesses, citizens as assigned;
• Provide special duties such as Court and District Attorney liaison, Crime Prevention and others as assigned.
• Operate records management systems and law enforcement databases;
• Keep confidential information obtained from law enforcement systems.

Must be available to work any shift, including weekends.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: 11:59PM on Friday, May 10, 2024

THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Public Works and Utilities is comprised of six divisions that work collaboratively to develop, build, operate, and maintain Hayward's infrastructure. The Department is responsible for providing engineering and transportation support to City operating departments and divisions and for implementation of the City's Capital Improvement Program, all while providing excellent customer service to the community.  

THE POSITION:

You are:

The ideal candidate is an individual who values customer service and has an interest in both field and office surveying. The ideal candidate will bring collaborative, team-centered qualities to the Department; be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and self-assured with the ability to exercise a high degree of common sense and sound judgment.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of land surveying, the Subdivision Map Act, Local Subdivision Ordinance and The Land Surveyors Act; 
• a California L.S.I.T. or Land Surveyor's License. 
• Excellent writing skills, a highly articulate oral communicative style, and the ability to clearly explain complex issues to a wide variety of constituents; 
• Strong customer service skills;
• Strong work ethic and be self-motivated; 
• Excellent time management and problem solving skills;
• Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously while prioritizing their work effectively; 
• Focus on teamwork and collaboration with colleagues and supervisors.

• Land surveying principles and practices as applied to preliminary location, property, construction, precise traverse, and precise leveling and topographic surveys.
• Plane geometry and its application to land surveying.
• Proper use and methods of adjustment of common surveying instruments and equipment.
• Operating surveying instruments and in making accurate field observations.

• Effectively supervise the work of members of a land survey party.
• Learn and effectively apply City policies, procedures and practices related to land survey work and to interpret legal descriptions.
• Prepare clears, and completes records.
• Read and interpret maps and complex property descriptions.
• Make a check calculations and resolve discrepancies in surveying data.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Train and supervise subordinate personnel.

You have:  
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:   Three years of increasingly responsible survey experience related to public works design and construction at least one year of which included responsible survey instrument work.
 
Education:  Equivalent to an Associate of Arts Degree in Surveying, Civil Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited college or university and completed course work in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and drafting.  

License:   Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License. Possession of a California L.S.I.T. or Land Surveyor's License. 

Depending on employee group, some of these benefits may include:

• Alternative Work Schedule and/or Telecommuting 
• Vacation - 80 hours minimum
• # Paid Holidays
• Generous employer contribution for Health, Dental and Vision coverage
• CalPERS Defined Benefit Retirement Plan (2.5% at 55 for Classic CalPERS members | 2.0% at 62 for New CalPERS members | 3.0% at 50 for Classic Safety members | 2.7% at 57 for New Safety Members) - No Social Security participation.
• Life and Disability Insurance and Paid Leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health and Wellness Reimbursement
• Professional Development Reimbursement
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (employee paid)

SELECTION PROCEDURE

A. Minimum qualifications
B. A valid California Land Surveyor in Training or California Land Surveyor's  license.
C. Completion of the supplemental questionnaire

Virtual Written Examination - Week of May 12, 2024

The City of Hayward reserves the right to modify the selection process as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity.

APPLICATIONS

Candidates are encouraged to apply online at www.hayward-ca.gov under the Current Vacancies tab or at www.GovernmentJobs.com.  Paper applications can be obtained by visiting the Human Resources Department at Hayward City Hall located at 777 B Street, Hayward, CA  94541.  Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system.  Our on-line application system is provided by Government Jobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact the Government Jobs Help Desk at  (855) 524-5627.

The City of Hayward is an Equal Opportunity Employer

DEFINITION

Provide analytical, coordination and operational support within the Development Services Department; primarily responsible for transportation planning functions. Provides secondary support to economic development and special events programs. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the Transportation Manager.  May exercise supervision over technical and/or support staff as assigned. 

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Essential duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Implement and administer the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program.
• Assist in the implementation of other programs and projects within the functional areas of the team (e.g., Street Smarts, Traffix, SWAT, etc.).
• Serve as project manager on assigned transportation programs and related projects, which includes background research, environmental review, preparation of public notices and staff reports, coordination of meetings and hearings, and oversight of implementation.
• Represent Danville on assigned regional transportation forums, including committees and subcommittees of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and Tri-valley Transportation Council.
• Attend regional transportation meetings and ensure the Town’s positions are represented; advocate when directed and appropriate; participate on various local interagency and interdepartmental boards and committees; facilitate committee meetings as assigned.
• Perform funding/grant development and administration, including conducting research, identifying regional, state, and federal funding sources, writing proposals, preparing grant applications, and programming and administering awarded grant funds.
• Provide support to other departments, boards and commissions, and the general public.
• Conduct special research projects, including gathering, compiling and analyzing information; provide alternatives and make recommendations on courses of action; give presentations on findings.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of program budgets, monitor expenditures and revenues to ensure availability of funds, initiate invoices, and facilitate collection of funds.
• Administer Danville’s public electric vehicle charging program.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Modern principles and practices of transportation and urban planning.
• Project management skills; experience with development of transportation program development and coordinating the planning and design of transportation projects.
• Federal, state, and local transportation grant applications and administration.
• Methods and techniques of effective report preparation and presentation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the Town with the public, community groups, business community, and other professional and regulatory agencies.

Ability to:

• Interpret and explain transportation programs; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the general public, Town Council, and other boards and commissions.
• Provide exceptional customer service and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, management, elected officials, and the general public.
• Read and understand technical drawings and specifications and conduct an analysis of transportation and planning related documents.
• Conduct research, evaluate alternatives, and make recommendations.
• Prepare and present clear and logical reports and studies.
• Prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment with general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships.
• Work a varied schedule of hours, which may include evenings and/or weekends.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Two (2) years of full-time or four (4) years of part-time related professional experience, with a background in transportation, planning, traffic engineering, or public administration.  Public sector experience desirable. 

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, civil engineering, architecture, public administration, or closely related field. 

LICENSE(S) AND CERTIFICATION(S)

Possession of a valid California State Driver's License, or license in another state with the ability to obtain a California license within 30 days of hire.

The City of Livermore is currently accepting applications to fill three (3) Water Resources Instrument Control Technician vacancies in the Public Works Department.

The Water Resources Division provides a dynamic and supportive work environment providing critical services to the community. Come join the team at the Water Reclamation Plant - 101 West Jack London Boulevard in Livermore!

Apply at livermoreca.gov/jobs by 5:00 pm on 5/27/2024!

THE POSITION

The Water Resources Instrument Control Technician installs, operates, maintains, calibrates, and repairs computer hardware, process instrumentation, and telemetry equipment; de-bugs, modifies, and customizes software; modifies, maintains, and repairs all components of a programmable logic controller (PLC) based supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems/distributed control systems; and performs other duties as assigned.

Examples of duties and responsibilities may include:

• Installs, calibrates, programs, maintains, and repairs instruments, PLC based system/distributed control system components, meters, analyzers, recorders, control and feed systems, computers, monitors, printers, transducers, microprocessors, and data transmission systems
• Maintains and repairs electronics, electrical, pneumatic, mechanical, and hydraulic systems, laboratory and safety equipment including gas detection, alarm systems, pH and DO meters;
• Analyzes and modifies computer programs to optimize plant operations and operator convenience
• Assists system users in solving data and systems problems and suggests alternative methods of operation

The City of Berkeley's Police Department is recognized as one of the most progressive and innovative law enforcement agencies in the country, and continually strives to develop programs which focus upon increased service to the community in conjunction with enhanced effectiveness in combating crime. 

The City of Berkeley is seeking qualified candidates who are interested in becoming Police Officers. As a Police Officer Recruit, you will attend a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified police academy to receive education and training in all aspects of law enforcement such as laws of arrest, search and seizure, crime prevention, community relations, first-aid, physical conditioning, self-defense, handling of weapons and other related duties. Upon graduation from the academy, the Police Recruit is sworn in as a Police Officer and assumes the duties of that position.

Click the following links for more information about this exciting career opportunity:
Police Officer Flyer
Join Berkeley PD | Police Officer Jobs
Video of us in action

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is completion of 60 college semester units. Previous volunteer or paid experience in a law enforcement support area is desirable.
 
Other requirements include:

• Must be free from any disqualifications for employment, including felony convictions.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Must be 21 years of age or older at time of appointment.
• Must be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose a criminal record.
• Must be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation.
• Must be a high school graduate, pass the General Education Development Test or other high school equivalency test approved by the State Department of Education that indicates high school graduation level, pass the California High School Proficiency Examination, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited college or university.
• Must be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
• Must possess a valid California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record. 
• Must be able to meet physical, psychological and background standards. 
• Must be willing to work evening, night, weekend and holiday shifts. 
• Must be able to obtain required POST certification and maintain firearms qualification.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants must submit a complete application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application. 

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada@berkeleyca.gov. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format. 

 

EXAM PROCESS

The exam process will include, but is not limited to: 

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents
• Written Exam: POST PELLETB
• Performance Exam: Physical Abilities Test (PAT)

The written exam and performance exam will be administered on the same day. See the job announcement for upcoming City of Berkeley exam dates. 

If you are unable to attend the City of Berkeley exam dates, you may register and take your exams with The Academy. The Academy charges a non-refundable materials fee of $10 for the written exam, $25 for the practice PAT, and $100 for the official PAT. After taking the exams and receiving passing scores, please attach your scores to your application.

POST will not authorize you to take the exam within 30 calendar days of having taken your last POST written exam. Please refer to the POST website for additional information.

Applicants may waive the written exam only by submitting a California POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) T-score of 48 points or higher. We will accept California POST T-scores from other agencies provided the test was taken no more than one year prior to the date of application. Applicants must submit, on agency letterhead, a letter that states that the individual has taken the California PELLETB written exam. The letter must contain the total T-score and the date of the test. For information on where the PELLETB test is offered, please visit www.theacademy.ca.gov/tests.

Applicants may waive the performance exam only by submitting a California POST physical agility certificate, known as the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB), with a score of 325 or higher.  The 1.5-mile run is not a requirement.  The test should not be dated no more than one year prior to the date of application.

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.

Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr@berkeleyca.gov at the time of application. 

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

The City of San Mateo Public Works Department is looking for an Assistant/Associate Engineer

Why Join Public Works?

Our team members have diverse talents and experience in various fields; these collaborative and energetic colleagues are passionate about serving and improving San Mateo infrastructure. Joining us provides you with a wide range of opportunities to achieve your professional goals. Collaboration, Innovation, Respect, Creativity, Transparency and Informed Risk-taking are attributes that we seek in engineering candidates.

The City of San Mateo Public Works Department is seeking an Assistant/Associate Engineer for the Capital Improvement Plan Division. Candidates should be highly motivated, experienced, seek professional growth, and desire to lead and support in the delivery and review of various City projects.

As an Assistant/Associate Engineer, you would support our department’s mission to operate, maintain and improve the City’s infrastructure. Public Works is responsible for the maintenance, repair, cleaning, and construction of sewer and storm conveyance systems, wastewater treatment plant, streets, streetlights, traffic signals, active transportation infrastructure, publicly owned parking lots and garages, pump stations, a major lagoon, and dams and levees. Our department also reviews plans and inspects the construction of public improvements to serve new private residential, commercial, and industrial developments, and administers contracts for the collection, disposal, and recycling of solid waste. Public Works is also responsible for the City’s review and management of right-of-way impacts associated with private development and traffic operations.

San Mateo encourages staff engagement to develop positive solutions that meet the demands of the community and regulatory landscape. The Public Works Department is committed to high performance levels and standards, utilizing best practices relative to performance management and team-oriented approaches. The Department supports staff development through a variety of internal and external training opportunities.

Look to some of the reasons why the City of San Mateo is a great place to work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GTIzeSpc_g

What You’ll Do:

The Assistant/Associate Engineer will help support efforts to accomplish short and long-term project deliveries, while sustaining the City’s mission, vision, and goals. The position is considered for the following field of interest:

• The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Division’s key assignments include planning, designing, reviewing, and preparing detailed engineering plans, drawings, specifications, cost estimates, contracts, and related documents for a variety of capital improvement projects. Roles include project manager and construction manager, with duties that include leading coordination meetings, interfacing with construction contractors, outside engineering firms, construction inspectors, and other public agencies.

For a complete list of duties, reference our job specifications at www.cityofsanmateo.org

Are you seeking a challenging, rewarding, and gratifying career that's more than just a job? The County of San Mateo would like to invite you to begin a career where you will make a real difference and add significant value to public safety.
 
San Mateo County Public Safety Communications is accepting applications for the position of 911 Communications Dispatcher I.
 
In the life of a 911 Dispatcher, no day is ever routine - one call may be a minor traffic accident, while the next is a frantic voice screaming for help. Using state-of-the-art equipment and extensive training, you will provide emergency dispatch services for the people of San Mateo County. You can be the difference in someone’s life.
 
San Mateo County’s Regional Operations Center, located in Redwood City, is home to Public Safety Communications (PSC). The Center boasts state-of-the-art equipment and communication systems, including a brand-new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. The facility provides all the tools for dispatchers to be successful both personally and professionally. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the Center allow plenty of natural light and employees can enjoy the use of an onsite gym, Quiet Room, and large, fully equipped employee kitchen.
 
PSC’s leadership philosophy centers around a commitment to customer service, dispatcher wellbeing, and overall excellence.  PSC is committed to providing on-going training and strives for a team environment with open lines of communication. We stress career development and provide a variety of opportunities for employees including Training Officers, Training Instructors, Tactical Dispatch, Fire Incident Dispatch, QA/QC, and opportunities to lead various projects.
 
The County of San Mateo offers competitive salary and benefits. The benefits package includes a choice of medical plans, dental coverage, vision coverage, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and a pension plan. Click here to learn more! 

Examples of Duties

Employees in this classification are trained in, and perform the following duties:

• Receive business or emergency calls for law enforcement, fire, medical, and other public service agencies.
• Screen information to determine nature of call, perform call classification, determine priority and jurisdiction, and document activity.
• Screen and prioritize telephone workload. 
• Remain cognizant of workloads and specific systems status.
• Provide support and assistance in a team concept during day-to-day operations, and critical or large-scale incidents.
• Assist in the coordination of mutual aid incidents.
• Develop and foster a positive working rapport with direct and in-direct customers, the public, and co-workers.
• Testify in court regarding legal proceeding related to dispatch call(s) received.
• Prepare and submit various reports such as incident reports.
• Develop and maintain working knowledge of highways, streets, buildings, and major points of interest in the County and adjacent areas.
• Remain current on procedures for manual dispatch operations and Communications Center evacuation.
• Provide off hours services as required.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. 

• A typical way to qualify is a minimum of one year of experience receiving and processing calls while performing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Knowledge of:

• English language, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Customer service and interpersonal communications principles.
• Computer operation and use in office and Communications Center environments.
• Basic principles in communicating by means of face-to-face contact, telephone, and/or data terminals.
• Various resources within the County to provide referrals to the public and public safety agencies.

Skill/Ability to:

• Speak, read, and write English clearly.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, in English, both orally and in writing.
• Comprehend, interpret, relay, and document information via telephone, computer software/ data terminals, or other related technology.
• Screen and interpret general data and filter relevant information.
• Learn and operate Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Systems and other related technology.
• Read and interpret various mapping devices and relay pertinent information.
• Work under pressure, exercising good judgment and common sense while making sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Listen, understand, and relay information via telephone and in person.
• Remain calm and controlled under stressful periods while projecting a professional demeanor.
• Establish and maintain positive and courteous working relationships with customers, the community, and co-workers.
• Work with the Communications Center team while maintaining assigned job responsibilities and duties.
• Anticipate and adapt to fluctuating workloads in the Communications Center.
• Communicate and receive constructive feedback and opinions to affect change.
• Access and refer to information using available resources.
• Read, interpret, understand, and follow written and oral instructions and/or information.
• Remain seated for long periods of time.
• Read and interpret text/data on electronic screens, computer printouts, and a variety of maps.
• Remain focused and be able to hear in a noisy environment while communicating via telephone or face to face.

Other requirements of the position:

• Successfully complete a pre-employment medical examination and be subject to polygraph testing.
• Follow strict drug use standards and guidelines.
• Possess good moral character and psychological suitability as determined by a thorough background investigation, including fingerprinting and psychological evaluation.
• Be willing to work the day, swing, graveyard, rotating, holiday, and weekend shifts.
• Be willing to work 12 to 16 hours per day.
• Be willing to accept overtime assignments, including last minute spontaneous mandatory assignments.

Application/Examination

This is an Open and Promotional recruitment.  Anyone may apply.  Current County of San Mateo employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in classified regular, probationary, Confidential or Management extra-help/limited term, or SEIU or AFSCME represented extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination. 
 
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.
   
The examination process will consist of an application review and the administration of the computer based CritiCall Examination (weight: 100%).  Applicants whose application passes the application review will be invited to take the CritiCall exam. Candidates who achieve a passing on the CritiCall exam will be placed on the Eligible, or Hiring List based on the order of their score on the exam.  The top seven candidates on the Eligible List will be considered to fill one vacancy.  For each additional vacancy, one additional candidate will be added to those who can be considered for the positions.  

Once the recruitment closes and the applications have been reviewed, applicants will be sent a link to the CritiCall exam.  Applicants will have a 14-day window in which to complete the examination.  Because the exam is computer based, applicants can take the exam at their convenience during the ten-day time frame.

The CritiCall exam is a computer based Public Safety Dispatcher Pre-Employment Skills test. The wide array of tests within the CritiCall exam provides a comprehensive inventory of a candidate's skills and abilities.  Achieving a passing score on the exam is a requirement for employment.  

The examination simulates some of the duties and situations a 911 Communications Dispatcher might encounter on the job.  No specialized knowledge or skills are required to take the exam. 

The CritiCall exam tests for skills and abilities in areas such as decision-making, data entry, call summarization, multi-tasking, cross-referencing, vocalization, character comparison, memory recall, prioritization, mathematics, probability, map reading, reading comprehension, spelling, and sentence clarity.
 
Once the recruitment closes and all applications have been screened, applicants whose applications pass the screening will be sent a link to take the CritiCall exam.  Applicants will have up to ten days to complete the exam.  Complete instructions will be sent in the correspondence regarding registering for and taking the exam.  The exam can be taken at the convenience of the test taker, during the ten specified days.  

Candidates who receive a passing score on the CritiCall exam will be placed on the Hiring List (Eligible List) in the order of the scores from the exam.  The top seven candidates from the Hiring List will be considered for one vacancy.  One additional candidate will be included for each additional vacancy.  

Candidates who successfully pass the CritiCall examination and the panel interview and are being offered a position will be required to complete a pre-employment, POST mandated, background investigation that includes a medical examination and polygraph testing. 

To learn more about the CritiCall examination and its contents please click here: CritiCall Exam. (Download PDF reader)

Specific information about a career as a Dispatcher can be found here:  Career Overview - Dispatch - The Academy.

For more information about the County of San Mateo Office of Public Safety Communications, visit our website at https://911dispatch.smcgov.org/.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

• Final Filing Date for Applications:  May 8, 2024, by 11:59 PM
• Application Screening:  May 13-14, 2024
• CritiCall Exam (window to complete the exam):  May 16, 2024 - May 29, 2024
• Departmental Interviews: To begin the second week of June 2024.

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities. The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

HR Contact: Chet Overstreet (04182024) (911 Communications Dispatcher I - V050)