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Applications are being accepted for the position of Communications Dispatcher – Entry-Level with the South San Francisco Police Department. 

Please note: This job posting is for entry-level applicants and NOT for lateral-transfer applicants.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  OPEN UNTIL FILLED OR UPON RECEIPT OF THE FIRST 100 ONLINE APPPLICATIONS. IF INTERESTED, PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY, AS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. FIRST APPLICATION REVIEW WILL OCCUR ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2024.

THE CITY OFFERS AN ATTRACTIVE BENEFIT PACKAGE, AS WELL AS CALPERS RETIREMENT PLAN AND SOCIAL SECURITY PARTICIPATION.

THE DEPARTMENT:

The City of South San Francisco has 83 sworn and 35 civilian positions. The Department’s philosophy is one of participative management, with a high degree of emphasis on training and education. It employs team and community-oriented policing and problem-solving concepts and recognizes the importance of staying contemporary with technological advances. The Department acknowledges that the responsibility for public safety and the quality of life in our neighborhood is a responsibility share with the whole community. 

A new state-of-the-art Police Department building and 9-1-1 Communications Center has opened at 1 Chestnut Avenue.  The new Police Building includes a large training room for defensive tactics, a dedicated indoor firearms range, and progressive construction incorporating the latest in Police Station design concepts.  The 9-1-1 Communications center will have the latest communications and dispatching technologies to provide improved service and response to South San Francisco residents. 

SSFPD Recruitment Video

THE POSITION:

Under general supervision, receives and transmits routine and emergency telephone and radio traffic; dispatches and coordinates police, fire, public works, and other municipal staff and equipment via multifrequency two-way radio; maintains and processes a variety of communications reports, records, and radio logs; and does related work as required.

• 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.

Lateral Communications Operators may be eligible to receive a hiring bonus of up to $10,000 paid incrementally over three (3) phases during the first three (3) years of employment. 

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.

COVID POLICY: The City of Hayward has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all new employees issued formal offers of employment on or after February 1, 2022. Under this policy, proof of full vaccination is required as a condition of initial and continued employment with the City unless the employee has applied for an exemption and is awaiting the City’s response or has been granted an exemption, or unless stricter State or Federal legal requirements apply.  If offered employment, you will receive instructions regarding how to provide verification of vaccination or how to apply for an exemption, which will be required prior to your start date.  You may read the full policy here: COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Mandate (Download PDF reader)
 

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: 

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

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

This is a journey-level class in the Police Records Specialist classification series responsible for maintaining information in specialized departmental databases, preparing and assembling reports, processing payments, and preparing and processing subpoenas, requests for information, and other documents. All activities are performed within specified legal guidelines. Incumbents are expected to work independently and exercise judgment and initiative. Positions at this level 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.

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