Public Safety Dispatcher I is the entry level class in the Public Safety Dispatch series. Performs a variety of duties involved in receiving, evaluating, prioritizing, and relaying calls for emergency and non-emergency public safety assistance; dispatches appropriate units and coordinates response of emergency personnel; operates a variety of telecommunications equipment including radio, telephone, and computer aided dispatch systems; and performs a wide variety of specialized clerical duties involved in the preparation, maintenance, and release of materials related to law enforcement activities.
QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of a public safety telecommunications and dispatch center.
Operational characteristics of modern public safety telecommunications equipment including computer aided dispatch systems and multi-channel radio systems.
Law enforcement and emergency service procedures for responding to and handling reported incidents.
Techniques of questioning for both emergency and non-emergency calls.
Methods and techniques of receiving, prioritizing, and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
Functions of the Public Safety Department and other City departments.
Geographic features and locations within the area served.
English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Methods and techniques of telephone etiquette.
Methods and techniques of conflict resolution.
Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Ability to:
Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
Effectively communicate and elicit information from upset and irate callers.
Speak clearly and concisely in an understandable voice via radio and telephone and in person.
Hear and distinguish radio voice traffic within normal levels and over background noise.
Make independent decisions that affect the safety of public safety personnel, citizens, and property such as those involved in determining the urgency of requests received and the appropriate action to take.
Dispatch police units quickly and effectively.
Think quickly, calmly, and clearly in emergency situations.
Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
Operate a variety of telecommunications receiving and transmitting equipment including radio transmitting communication equipment, teletype equipment, and computer equipment.
Operate specialized public safety computer systems and applications.
Read and interpret maps and other navigational resources and give directions.
Type and enter data accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
Work under pressure, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations including police records retention and dissemination policies and procedures.
Maintain composure, alertness and concentration while working for extended periods of time.
Compile, maintain, process, and prepare a variety of records and reports.
Deal tactfully and courteously with the public reporting emergencies and seeking information or filing a report.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Dispatcher I
Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by successful completion of the basic dispatcher course within specified time period.
Experience:
Two years of increasingly responsible clerical experience that includes customer service in an environment with frequent interruptions.
Dispatcher II
Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by successful completion of the basic dispatcher course.
Experience:
Two years of experience comparable to that of a Dispatcher I with the City of Ceres.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Work is performed in an office and emergency services dispatch center setting with extensive public contact; incumbents are required to work evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts; incumbents may be called back or held over to maintain staffing levels. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. The office is a low-light environment. The type and nature of calls can create periods of extended stress.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office and emergency dispatch center setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Communications switchboard, including computer-aided systems, desktop and laptop computers including word processing software, copy machine, fax machine and two-way radio system.
SELECTION PROCESS
Application Evaluation: The qualifications of each applicant, as set forth in the application, will be continuously reviewed by the Police Department and Human Resources. Applicants who pass the initial Application Evaluation Test will advance to the next testing phase, the Interview. Note: Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement in the selection process.
Those candidates who successfully pass the Interview phase of testing will be certified to a Hiring Eligibility List and the top three (3) scorers will be referred to the Police Department for a selection interview with the Chief of Police. A select number of candidates will be authorized by the Chief to advance to the Background Investigation, including Fingerprinting.
Conditional Offer of Employment: Candidates who pass the Background Investigation will receive a Conditional Employment Offer and will advance to the pre-employment medical examinations, which will include medical psychiatric and physical examinations, including drug testing.
NOTE: Information contained herein does not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and is subject to change without notice.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
If you are a qualified individual with a disability as defined by the ADA and you need reasonable accommodations to participate in any of the examinations administered by the City of Ceres, you must notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date or review date for the specific job. Official documentation of your functional limitations to support your request may be required.
THE CITY OF CERES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY
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