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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)

The City of Redwood City invites applications for Tree Maintenance Worker I/II. 

THE POSITION

The current opening is in the Street Tree Maintenance section of the Public Works Services department and provides an excellent opportunity for growth in the field of Right-of-Way maintenance.  The Tree Maintenance Worker I/II is expected to perform a variety of semi-skilled work involving trimming, removal, installation and general maintenance of trees.

A few typical responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Prune trees and shrubbery to provide clearance of streets, sidewalks, signs, and lights and as necessary to insure continued health of the plant.
• Climb trees or operate aerial lift truck.
• Remove fallen trees, dead limbs and other debris resulting from storm damage and general condition.
• Remove and grind stumps.
• Clean and maintain climbing and trimming equipment
• Plant, stake and spray trees.
• Operate chipper and drive trucks.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Please click on the PDF link below to review the complete job announcement. 

DEFINITION: Under general supervision, performs a variety of preventative maintenance, repairs, and installation of water pollution control plant, sewage pumping facilities, and equipment; maintains accurate maintenance records; orders and maintains an inventory of supplies, parts, and other frequently used items; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Treatment Plant Maintenance Worker I is distinguished from Treatment Plant Maintenance Worker II in that the Treatment Plant Maintenance Worker II level requires a higher level of certification and is able to perform a broader range of duties more independently.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED 

Receives general supervision from supervisory or management staff in assigned department.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The duties listed below are illustrative only and are not meant to be a full and exhaustive listing of all of the duties and responsibilities of the position.

• Maintains and repairs pumps, motors, plumbing, electrical, and exercise and lubricate machinery within the plant; records and maintains accurate maintenance records in a daily log book;
• Orders supplies and materials; orders inventory of frequently used parts, oil, and filters for equipment used in the plant;
• Completes monthly work orders and enters information regarding maintenance tasks into the system; records SCADA; records hours on equipment and meters; makes entries into the end of the month report and prints work order summary;
• Generates new maintenance work orders for each month; prioritizes tasks to be performed on Water Pollution Control Plant equipment;
• Performs cleanup of the plant, removing trash, washing down decks, and clearing leaves and branches from storm drains; cleans tools and makes sure equipment is in proper locations and power tools are in safe working condition;
• Changes oil and filters on various pumps and compressors in the plant; maintains safety inspections of fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, and ladders in the plant;
• Removes and replaces packing from various pumps in the plant; installs new rings of packing with new Lantern rings if damaged; applies grease to the new set of packing for proper lubrication; removes corrosion or debris from packing gland before reinstalling;
• Evaluates pump performance and flow rate to determine if pump has excessive buildup of rags that is affecting its performance and efficiency; shuts down pumps to remove rags from impeller and clears any obstructions;
• Replaces damaged parts/fittings on leaking chemical feed pumps; makes alterations to existing supply tubing or fittings, replacing clamps or O-rings, or removing debris caught in the check valves; inspects, tests, calibrates, adjusts, cleans, and paints equipment in the water pollution control plant; and
• Performs related duties as assigned.

JOB-RELATED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: Principles, practices, and techniques of the installation, maintenance, and repair of water treatment plan systems; operation of various hand and power tools; proper procedures to safely perform maintenance on machinery and equipment in the plant; maintenance for MP2 program; recording and updating repair history on water pollution control plant equipment; how to create new work orders and close out completed work orders; forklift operations and scissor lift; replacing, repairing, and installing piping, fittings, and valves on water pollution control equipment; data entry of important, vital information regarding maintenance repairs; performance and evaluation on future preventative maintenance in the WPCP MP2 program; proper protective equipment.

Ability to: Drive and operate vehicles and equipment safely; keep inventory, order, and stock necessary parts and supplies for the maintenance shop; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of the work; adhere to prescribed policies, procedures, routines, and practices; carry out assignments with minimal instructions; read and understand written instructions, maps, equipment operation manuals, and other written documents associated with the work; effectively schedule work; effectively keep written records.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. A typical way would be:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED). Technical training in a water treatment plant system or related field is desirable.

Experience: One (1) year of full-time experience in the installation, maintenance, and repair of pollution control plant and sewage pumping facilities.

Licenses: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license, obtain and maintain a California Class B Driver’s License, and a satisfactory driving record. CWEA Certification as a Grade I Mechanical Technologist.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Respond to work at any hour of the day or night, within designated timeframe, as required during afterhours, weekend service, and/or emergency situations; carry communication equipment in order to respond after work hours. Vision, hearing, and physical ability adequate to obtain and maintain a California Class B Driver’s License; speak clearly and understandably. Requires moderate and sometimes strenuous exertion including bending, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing, lifting, twisting, digging, carrying, and/or handling material weighing up to one hundred (100) pounds. Work in confined spaces and wear protective equipment. May work in conditions that require exposure to noise, odors, chemical and biological agents, gases, and contact with sanitary wastewater; work at heights up to 20 feet; work in varying temperatures of cold and heat, and in inclement weather for extended periods of time; work in conditions that may contain dust, mold, and various chemicals.

FILING DEADLINE:  

This recruitment will remain open until filled.   First Review: Thursday, April 4, 2024. Applications and supplemental questions will be reviewed on an on-going basis and candidates are encouraged to apply before the first review date.  Please note, the recruitment may close without notice at any time after the first review date.

The City of San Mateo Public Works Department is looking for a Maintenance Worker I-II

Why Join Our Department?

The Public Works Department is comprised of the Engineering and Facilities Services Division (EFSD) and the Environmental Services Division (ESD). Each division is led by a Deputy Director reporting to the Director of Public Works. The department is responsible for the City’s major capital projects and infrastructure including streets, street lights, traffic signals, sewer and storm conveyance systems, wastewater treatment plant, pump stations, a major lagoon, and dams and levees. A key player on this team is the Maintenance Worker. You would be joining over 500 people whose mission is to serve the San Mateo community with a collaborative, innovative and professional spirit.

What You'll Do

The Maintenance Worker position may be filled at either the I or II level based on experience. The Maintenance Worker will perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled tasks in the construction, maintenance, and repair of streets, sidewalks, signs, sewers, storm drains, pump stations, traffic signal and street light equipment, traffic systems, or municipal buildings; and to do related work as required. Some of the duties of this position are as follows:

• Operate construction and maintenance equipment such as backhoes, motorgraders, boom trucks, tractors, vac-all and small sweepers, and skip loaders for a variety of construction and maintenance operations involving streets, sidewalks and gutters, sewer lines, and drainage channels.
• Use concrete cutting and braking equipment; operate a jackhammer; pour and finish concrete; construct concrete forms and perform rough carpentry work.
• Operate maintenance equipment and tools such as trucks, power tools, sewer rodder, hydraulic jet cleaner, vac-all, front loader, backhoe, compressor, sandblaster, power wench, boom truck, cc TV unit, main and auxiliary pumps, pneumatic and electro-mechanical controls, diesel power plants, and related equipment and tools.
• Assist pump mechanics to install, repair and modify pump station machinery and control.
• Paint traffic markings on streets, crosswalks, parking lots, and curbs; operate a striping truck.
• Assist in performing a variety of routine electrical maintenance and repair tasks.
• Assist in trash and debris control activities such as picking up of litter and other street maintenance activities as required or when weather does not permit sweeping operations.
• Fully utilize the computerized work systems in accordance with work flow processes.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with co-workers.

The City of San Mateo Police Department is looking for highly qualified, experienced Dispatchers to join our team!

The Foster City Police Department is seeking a dedicated and highly skilled individual to join our team as an Entry Level or Lateral Police Fire Dispatcher. 

Under general supervision, receives police and emergency calls and dispatches police units following prescribed procedures; answers non-emergency calls for public safety and other City departments; performs a variety of general administrative support duties including record keeping, typing, and filing; and performs related work as required. 

This journey-level non-sworn classification is responsible for independently performing the full range of receiving and dispatching emergency call duties in support of the Police Department. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Police Dispatch Supervisor in that the latter is the serves as the first level supervisor within the Dispatch Bureau. 

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:  

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and one (1) year of experience working with radio and computer equipment in the field of law enforcement, fire, or medical dispatching. 

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License
• Possess a POST Dispatcher test certificate with a passing score of 55 and higher and meet updated training requirements as per POST guidelines.

Lateral dispatchers do not need to send a copy of the POST certificate but must have experience as a public safety dispatcher.

The City of Menlo Park currently has an excellent opportunity for experienced Communications Dispatchers. Shift work including weekends and holidays is required.

Communications Dispatchers are responsible for receiving and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls for the Police Department and City.  Responsibilities are centered on extensive contact with the public over the telephone, in both emergency and non-emergency situations to receive, transmit, and provide factual information and assistance.  All activities are performed within specified legal guidelines.  Incumbents are expected to work independently and exercise judgment and initiative.

A job description, including examples of typical job functions and qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities, is available by clicking on the Job Description PDF.

The City of San Mateo is currently taking applications for the position of Dispatcher I. 

This is a continuous recruitment.  Applicants are added to the employment list as they meet the minimum qualifications. 

Experience and Education Guidelines:

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

Experience:

Some telephone or dispatch experience is highly desirable.

Education:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.

License or Certificate:

Verification of successful completion of the P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery Examination with a minimum passing "T-Score" of 48 or higher or verification of successful completion of a CritiCall Examination with a minimum passing score of 50 or higher. 

Possession of, or ability to attain, a POST (Peace Officer Standards & Training) Written Examination Certificate

Currently Dispatcher’s hours are scheduled under the 4-10 work schedule.  Employees work ten hours per day, four days per week and shift work is required.  Work schedules will vary and overtime may be required.