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City of Los Altos
Invites you to apply for the position of:

Communications Officer

$107,060.49 - $130,132.69 Annually

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY! The Police Communications Center is a fast-paced environment serving first responders and the community during emergency and non-emergency events. Communications Officers interact daily with the public and law enforcement personnel through phone calls, 9-1-1 events, in person and over the police radio system. We are looking for highly skilled professionals who can multi-task and react calmly during emergency situations, while making quick decisions and determining the nature and severity of service calls. If you are looking to make a difference in the City of Los Altos while working in the Communications Center, this position is for you!

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under general supervision, the Communications Officer, as a member of the Police Department, transmits and receives information over the police and public works radio system; dispatches routine and emergency calls for service; types, records, and files information; handles emergency and non-emergency telephone calls utilizing complex technical aids, such as computer aided dispatch systems (CAD), and performs related work as assigned.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receives emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from the public for police, fire, or other emergency services; determines the nature of the call and the resources necessary to respond.
• Monitors police radio communications; maintains contact with police units to track officer status and respond to need for additional resources; monitors various radio channels to keep abreast of county-wide police activities affecting the City and assist other county agencies with mutual aid.
• Prioritizes requests for police and other public safety services; determines availability and location of patrol units; transmits information and dispatches police personnel and equipment in response to calls; routes calls for fire and emergency medical assistance to the Santa Clara County Fire Department.
• Assists police personnel in the field by quickly and accurately researching and relaying criminal history information and other requested data.
• Receives and coordinates requests for emergency Public Works assistance outside of the City’s normal business hours (pertaining to full municipal services in Los Altos, and sewer maintenance requests in Los Altos Hills and the surrounding unincorporated areas).

Click here to view the full job description and duties.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Is highly professional, patient, respectful, and ethical; possesses excellent problem-solving skills; ability to multi-task in stressful situations. Communicates effectively and proactively both verbally and in writing. Enjoys working in a small-town atmosphere with an engaged public, including merchants, property owners and residents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE OF: Standard office methods, procedures, software and equipment; Geography of the local area; General public safety communications practices; Principles of customer service.

SKILL AND ABILITY TO: Multi-task and prioritize; Efficiently use radio and other communications equipment; Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; Analyze situations quickly and accurately; Maintain composure and work effectively under pressure; Understand and follow oral and written direction; Demonstrate initiative and exercise good judgment in the performance of duties; Establish, maintain, and promote positive working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, & CERTIFICATES:

Any combination of the listed experience and education requirements may lead to a qualifying application. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

• A minimum of one year of public safety radio dispatching and/or basic clerical experience is required

Education:

• Possession of a High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent is required.
• Proof of successful completion of either the Criticall Dispatcher test with a passing score or the P.O.S.T. Entry-level Dispatcher Test with a T-score of 50 or above. (Lateral applicants that are currently employed as a Public Safety Dispatcher (non-probationary) do not need to submit proof of test scores, however a California POST Dispatcher Academy Certificate is required.)
• Completion of college-level coursework is highly desirable

Certificates:

• Possession of a typing certificate with a minimum of 50 wpm dated within one year of the application date must be included as an attachment.
• Possession of Basic P.O.S.T. Dispatch Certificate is highly desirable and may be substituted for work experience.

This position will require the ability to work rotating shifts on an on-going basis, including irregular hours on short notice. This position will also be assigned a uniform to wear during work hours.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Los Altos is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of a person’s race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age or sexual orientation. Candidates with a disability, which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process, should advise City of Los Altos upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

The City of San Jose is recruiting for a part-time School Crossing Guards in the Police Department during the normal school year.  Work involves providing for the safe conduct of elementary and junior high school children across heavily traveled streets and reporting problems requiring possible police action. Positions may involve substituting at different corners or a regular location assignment.  IN GENERAL, THESE ASSIGNMENTS ARE A SPLIT SHIFT WITH APPROXIMATELY 10 HOURS PER WEEK.  School Crossing Guards are required to work outside regardless of weather conditions and must be able to provide a uniform as specified by the Police Department.   Work includes outside duties and exposure to weather.  Work may include the physical ability to sit, stand, walk quickly, step up/down from the curb, reach, push and/or pull, twist and or rotate, bend, lift and carry up to 10 pounds, use hands hold and use a stop sign the entire shift, use other hand to stop traffic and use a whistle at the same. 
 
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments.  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.  For more information about Police department, School Safety unit, visit http://www.sjpd.org/BFO/Community/SchoolSafety/.

Applications will be available on a continuous basis until our current vacancies are filled.  To facilitate filling these positions, interviews will be conducted whenever sufficient qualified applications are received.   

EFFECTIVE 3/9/2021 THE LIVING WAGE RATE OF PAY PER HOUR IS $24.56,  EFFECTIVE 7/1/2021 THE LIVING WAGE WILL INCREASE TO $25.31. 

Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.  Desirable competencies for this position include: 

*Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations 

*Ability to communicate effectively in English both verbally and writing 

*Ability and willingness to work in all-weather situations 

*Experience working with children 

*Knowledge of traffic laws of California and City of San Jose 

*Knowledge of traffic control techniques and procedures 

*Ability to recognize traffic hazardous 

*Ability to have access to motor vehicle on a daily basis 

*Able to read city maps 

*Automobile insurance coverage of at least $35,000 ($15,000-$30,000 bodily injury,   $5,000 property damage.)  

*Be able to work morning and afternoon shifts every school day during school start and end times 

*Ability to give and follow oral instruction 

*Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with children, parents, school officials and law enforcement 

*Ability to remain calm and use judgment and initiative in an emergency situation 

*Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently in a timely, accurate, respectful and friendly manner. 

*Initiative- Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

*Reliability- Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate

*Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills

*Communication Skills - Communicates and listens effectively and responds in an timely, effective, positive and respectful manner; written reports and correspondence are accurate, complete, current; well-organized, legible, concise, neat, and in proper grammatical form responds to statements and comments of others in a way that reflects understanding of the content and the accompanying emotion; asks clarifying questions to assure understanding of what the speaker intended, ensures consistent communication takes place within area of responsibility. 
 

The City of San José hosts approximately 80 student interns annually, from majors that include finance, graphic design, information technology, accounting, urban planning, political science, public administration, and many others. Applicants must be a current student enrolled in a college or university to apply and must continue to be enrolled during their employment/service with the City of San José.

Interns at the City have flexible hours to work around their school schedules. Undergraduate interns generally work between 20-30 hours per week and graduate interns work between 25-40 hours per week.
 

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system. To apply, applicants must complete an application via the City of San Jose’s website at www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers.   

Departments that most frequently offer internship opportunities are listed below.  For more information on all City departments, click here.    
 
San Jose International Airport (SJC) is now accepting applications for Summer Internship Program. Student Interns at the Airport will learn and gain practical experience in multiple areas of airport operations and management. Interns will also be exposed to various airport industry careers while enriching their personal and educational goals.   

 
The Public Works Department’s  mission is to provide excellent service in building a smart and sustainable community, maintaining and managing the City’s assets, and serving the animal care needs of the community.  Interns can expect to perform substantive work, develop professional relationships, and help make a positive impact in the City of San Jose.  With 9 divisions providing a diverse array of services, the Department offers a unique variety of opportunities across a number of fields of study for students to enhance their academic learning with real world knowledge, receive valuable training while providing public service to the community, and experience a professional work environment where they can develop both work and life skills. Internship opportunities include: Administrative Services, Animal Care & Services, City Facilities Architectural Services, Development Services, Engineering Services, Equality Assurance, Facilities Management, Fleet Management, and Transportation and Hydraulics Services. 
 
The Environmental Services Department (ESD) has established a national reputation for environmental leadership and innovation with award-winning recycling, water conservation, water quality protection, and wastewater treatment programs. Its major initiatives are: healthy streams, rivers, marshlands and bay waters; reliable water, garbage, and recycling services; clean and green air, land and energy policy development; and community education aimed at environmental sustainability. Interns in ESD can work on fun projects, make presentations, create and prepare training materials, do valuable research, use tech savvy skills to help market materials and provide overall team support.
 
The Department of Transportation (DOT) maintains and operates the City of San José's transportation network of roadways, traffic signals, street lights, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, street trees and landscaping in addition to the public sewer system and storm drains. DOT's goal is to provide a transportation system that is safe, efficient, and convenient for all users, and that supports the City's livability and economic vitality. San José has adopted bold policy goals to be a leading city in the areas of environmental sustainability, innovation and fiscal efficiency. San José's DOT is organized into the following four divisions:

• Infrastructure Maintenance
• Transportation and Parking Operations
• Transportation Planning and Project Delivery
• Director's Office / Administration Services

San Jose Public Library is the largest public library system between San Francisco and Los Angeles. A proud recipient of the Gale/Library Journal Library of the Year Award, the library is an acknowledged leader in providing innovative services to meet changing customer needs. The San Jose Public Library enriches lives by fostering lifelong learning and by ensuring that every member of the community has access to a vast array of ideas and information.
 
Housed within the Office of the City Manager, the Office of Economic Development (OED) leads the implementation of the City of San Jose Economic Strategy by working with other City departments, private businesses, and community partners. OED has four integrated divisions: Business Development, focused on job creation, business attraction, expansion and retention; Business Operations and Real Estate, focused on revenue generation, management of city owned property, and Department administrative support; Cultural Affairs, responsible for arts and cultural development; and work2future, the federally funded workforce development program serving Silicon Valley.
 
The Information Technology Department's (ITD) mission is to enable the service delivery of its customers through the integration of City-wide technology resources.  ITD consists of four core service areas:  

• Enterprise Technology Systems and Solutions- Business Systems, Database Administration, Financial Management Systems, HR/Payroll, Integrated Billing 
• Information Technology Infrastructure- Core Network Infrastructure, Information Security, Telecommunications, Servers, Desktop Support, Email
• Customer Contact Center- Utility Billing, Internet Self-Service, General Information Requests
• Strategic Support- Budget/Fiscal Management, Procurement, Contract Administration, Human Resources Analytical Support.

The mission of the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department (PRNS) is to cultivate healthy communities through quality programs and dynamic public spaces.  Through proactive, strategic work plans, the Communications team develops, creates and implements outreach that is creative, articulate and engaging while telling a story of “Building Community Through FUN”. 

Interns' skills and talents will contribute to the creation and activation of community-building places, programs and people. Interns will gain experience and build their portfolio as interns provide general support, assist in event production and work on specific programs and projects important to PRNS and the City. 

The Planning Division in the Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement (PBCE) is responsible for both long range planning--which involves guiding the City’s future by stewarding Envision San Jose 2040 (the City’s General Plan) and preparing  Urban Village plans and other area plans--as well as current planning through the review of development proposals.  The Planning Division implements policies and plans that determine where and how the City will grow  and how that growth will be balanced with the availability of infrastructure and services.

The PBCE internship program is designed to offer professional learning opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in the urban planning field. Interns may be assigned to specific projects in the sub-disciplines of urban village planning, development review, zoning, urban design, transportation, economic development, housing, sustainability, historic preservation, Geographic Information Systems, and data analytics.   Interns will gain exposure to the operations of a planning department and have the opportunity to work on “real life” projects.

Finance Department – The Finance Department has over 100 employees who are dedicated to serve the needs of our customers throughout the City of San Jose. Our mission is to manage, protect, and report on the City of San Jose’s financial resources to enhance the City’s financial condition for our residents, businesses, and investors. Our services are provided to the organization and community through four separate divisions which include Treasury, Revenue Management, Accounting, and Purchasing. The range of services includes debt management, investments/cash management, payment processing, billing, accounts receivable, delinquent tax/revenue collections, payroll, accounts payable, financial reporting, risk management, and procurement services.

The Housing Department's mission is to strengthen and revitalize our community through housing and neighborhood investment. Since the Housing Department was established in 1987, the City has been a leader in affordable housing, creating more than 21,000 new housing opportunities for San José residents.

A major function of the Housing Department is its work as a funder. The Department utilizes numerous financing vehicles to bring new affordable housing to fruition and rehabilitate older affordable housing. The Department also funds grants for nonprofits to develop and provide social services, homeless response programs, and community infrastructure. Additional grants support Fair Housing policies, place-based neighborhood efforts, and meal programs for low-income seniors.

The Department oversees a range of other critical programs and initiatives, including rent control and stabilization programs for apartments and mobilehomes, and the City's Ellis Act Ordinance that protects the City's supply of affordable rental housing. And, working in partnership with other City departments and agencies, the Housing Department works to ensure the City has a variety of housing options in every neighborhood.

Salary Information

Student Intern Salary Range - $12.17- $17.38/hr (unbenefitted)
Graduate Student Intern Salary Range - $15.75 - $23.26/hr (unbenefitted)