Location
Description
Applications are being accepted for the position of Communications Dispatcher – Lateral Transfer with the South San Francisco Police Department.
Please note: This job posting is for lateral-transfer applicants and NOT entry-level 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.
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.
Ideal Candidate
An ideal candidate has the ability to independently identify and act on issues that affect the communications center; demonstrates good decision-making skills under pressure; works well with a minimum of direct supervision; interprets and executes the organization's philosophy, policies, and procedures; and, is a team-player with a positive and enthusiastic work ethic.
Experience: 18 months of full-time experience as a California law enforcement dispatcher.
Training: High school graduate or equivalent.
Licenses or Certificates:
- Possession of a basic dispatch certificate from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
A COPY OF YOUR STATE OF CALIFORNIA POST SAFETY DISPATCHER CERTIFICATION MUST BE ATTACHED TO YOUR APPLICATION.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
To be considered, applicants must submit the following REQUIRED items:
- City application
- Resume
- Basic dispatch certificate from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)
NOTE: Applications must be filled out in their entirety. Failure to complete the application and/or supplemental questions or failure to include a required attachment will disqualify the applicant from the recruitment process. Failure to list work experience, education or training or indicating “see resume” in the work experience section of the application will be considered an incomplete application and subject to disqualification.
THE SELECTION PROCESS:
The Examination Process will consist of the following independent parts:
1. Examination process will first consist of a review of application materials including a copy of the California Basic POST Dispatcher certificate from the academy.
2. The most suitable and qualified candidates will receive via e-mail a Personal History Statement (PHS) to complete and return.
3. Based on review of the PHS, candidate may be scheduled for an oral interview examination.
4. Upon successful completion of the oral interview examination, an eligible list will be established which will be used for the appointment to the position.
Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement in the selection process and placement on the eligible employment list.
Appeals concerning administration of an examination must be submitted in writing within 2-business days from the date the event occurred.
Before a conditional employment offer is made, a thorough background check will be conducted, including a polygraph and fingerprint check. If successful, candidates are then required to successfully pass a drug/alcohol screen and an audiogram test, and must be able to furnish proof of legal right to work in the United States. Candidates may be disqualified at any point in this process. The process will end with the Chief of Police or his designee’s interview. The City’s standards must be met before the final appointment is made.
Benefits
Retirement: CalPERS retirement formula is 2% at age 60 for Classic members or; 2% at age 62 for “new members” as defined by Government Code §7522.04(e). Social Security and Medicare participation and the option to participate in 457 deferred compensation plans. City contributes equivalent of 1.5% of base pay towards a medical after-retirement account.
Health Insurance: City offers a choice of medical HMO (two providers) or PPO plan, and offers vision and dental coverage. City pays 100% of vision and dental premiums for employee and eligible dependents. Employees shall contribute 10% of the HMO premium cost based on category of coverage (single, two, family). For PPO, employee pays cost difference between PPO and HMO plans. City provides 100% City-paid short- and long-term disability insurances. The City offers a discretionary benefit account for employees who demonstrate health coverage elsewhere.
Vacation: Fifteen to thirty working days annual vacation, based on the length of service.
Holidays: Thirteen total paid holidays per year plus one floating holiday.
Programs: 457 Deferred Compensation, Paid Family Leave, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Long-Term Care, Disability and Life Insurance Programs, City Recreation Classes, Reduced-fee Childcare Programs and Commuter Benefit Programs are available.
This classification is in an employee bargaining unit.
Special Instructions
Prior to appointment, candidates will be required to submit to any or all of the following (as applicable):
- Reference Check
- Department of Justice (DOJ) Fingerprint Check
- Police Department Background Check (includes review of Personal History Statement)
- Polygraph
- Psych Evaluation
- Pre-Employment Medical Examination and Drug Screen
- DMV Check
A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis with consideration given to the nature and recency of the conviction and relationship to job duties. All City standards must be met before the final appointment is made.
Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the recruitment process should advise the Human Resources Department upon submittal of application.
Candidates requesting veteran’s preference must provide a copy of U.S. Government DD Form 214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" as an attachment to their CalOpps application.
The policy of the City of South San Francisco is to grant equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or national origin. It is the intent and desire of the City of South San Francisco that equal employment opportunity will be provided in recruiting, hiring, training, promoting, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The City of South San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).