Public Safety Dispatcher- Police (FULL-TIME & TEMPORARY/PART-TIME)

Salary: $25.69 – $31.83 Hourly

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time

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ABOUT THE POSITION

Note: This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close without prior notice. Testing will be conducted based on a reasonable pool of qualified applicants. Please thoroughly review the entire job flyer including the application instructions. Failure to submit a completed application and provide required documentation may result in an application being removed from further consideration.

Under general supervision, performs skilled work in the receipt and dispatch of emergency 911 and non-emergency calls in accordance with established department policy and procedures; utilizes various equipment such as a telephone, radio, computer and CLETS terminal and related telecommunications and office equipment; dispatches necessary units for emergency service; tracks activity in order to secure the safety of field personnel and the facts of the situation; and, performs other related duties as required. An applicant for this position must be willing and available to work any assigned shift, including weekend and holiday hours.

An Eligible List of qualified applicants will be established from this recruitment. The current need is for one full-time and two part-time vacancies; however, the Eligible List may be utilized to fill other full and part-time vacancies as needed. Generally, a valid Eligible List is in effect for up to one year, unless the List expires sooner.

Shift differential pay may apply to full-time positions only based on regular work shift assigned.

Part-Time Employment: Temporary/Part-Time employment status does not qualify for City benefits, except for those required by law.  Part-time employees work up to an average of twenty (20) hours per week and may not exceed 999 hours on a fiscal year basis (July 1 through June 30) and may not exceed more than (twenty-seven) 27 hours of work in a designated work week. The City does not belong to the Social Security system.  However, enrollment in an alternative retirement program is mandatory which requires an employee contribution of 7.5% of base earnings. The City contributes 2.5% and the employee contributes 5% of base earnings. There are no rights to employment and employment may end with or without cause or advance notice.

Certain City operational budgets may not include funding for mandates CalPERS employer contributions.  Therefore, a qualified candidate who is a current member of CalPERS may be restricted from temporary/part-time employment.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following examples are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this classification.

  • Answer and process all emergency and non-emergency calls for the City.
  • Receive, evaluate, summarize and prioritize each and every call received to determine the proper level of response.
  • Simultaneously receive, respond and document information from multiple sources while maintaining accuracy in order to relay information with accuracy to responding personnel.
  • Handle multiple tasks proficiently.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely and listen effectively.
  • Confers with callers requesting police, fire, and/or emergency medical assistance and obtains information concerning the nature and location of the request.
  • Be responsible for examining subjects and vehicles via the County, State, and National crime database and relaying any pertinent information with accuracy back to field personnel.
  • Make decisions and respond effectively in all given situations of performance.
  • Work effectively under high pressure situations which are critical to this position.
  • Operates a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system to send units in response to emergency calls and other public service needs.
  • Evaluates situations to determine appropriate units to dispatch based on availability, priority and location of units.
  • Obtains required information in discussion with emergency caller.
  • Transfers emergency information to other agencies based on information extracted from the caller.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education, training, and work experience to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying.  A typical combination is as follows:

Education: Completion of High school or equivalent.
Experience: Option One: One (1) year of full-time experience as a public safety dispatcher (Desirable)

OR


Option Two: Two (2) full-time years of clerical/administrative support experience requiring extensive public contact either in person or over the phone.  Candidates with experience performing clerical/administrative support duties for a law enforcement agency shall be considered highly desirable.

Knowledge of: Modern office practices and procedures; proper English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation; codes, practices and procedures used to transmit information to units in the field and location of streets and buildings; effective communication techniques, including customer service; map reading; and personal computer operating systems and software applications.

Ability to: Learn and/or refine the knowledge and required skills involving technique, practice, procedure, methods, and City dispatching codes used in the operation, understand complex instructions which are presented orally or in writing; read street maps and quickly find locations; quickly evaluate an emergency situation and develop logical working solutions; keep up with fast pace of incoming calls and transmitted information; successfully perform multi-tasking duties; speak clearly and confidently; operate a personal computer and keyboard at a rate of thirty (30) words per minute net speed/corrected rate**; operate computer aided dispatch and related telecommunications equipment; gain cooperation and cooperate with others; apply procedures for handling unique problems; exercise good judgment with memory for details; recognize and keep information confidential; be reliable and dependable; read, comprehend, interpret and utilize instructions, manuals, and other materials applicable to the work being performed.

Bilingual skills in Spanish or Asian languages desirable.

License/Certification Requirement: A valid California Class C Drivers License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

The possession of or the ability to obtain a POST Dispatcher Basic Certification within one (1) year of appointment.

Physical Task and Environmental Conditions: The duties and responsibilities of this position are performed in an office environment and involve sitting, standing, and walking for prolonged or intermittent periods of time, and include reaching above and below shoulder level, bending, stooping, and twisting at the waist to perform desk work, file maintenance, and operate general office equipment, including a personal computer with keyboard for prolonged or intermittent periods of time.

The operation of a personal computer requires finger and wrist dexterity and the ability to withstand exposure to vibration, pitch and glare from the computer. Employee must be able to safely lift and carry books, files, and reports weighing up to 25 pounds.

**An applicant must attach a current and verifiable typing certification (dated within the past twenty-four (24) months. The required documentation must be uploaded and submitted with the on-line employment application. Applications received without the required documentation will be considered incomplete and removed from consideration.

An acceptable typing certificate may be obtained from a local college, adult school, or employment agency. Typing certificates obtained over the Internet are acceptable for this job posting.  For more information on obtaining a typing certificate please click HERE.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION
Part I: An employment application, supplemental questionnaire and a typing certification (dated within the past twenty-four (24) months is required). All application materials must be uploaded and submitted with the on-line employment application. All information is subject to verification. Incomplete applications will be removed from consideration. A thorough and complete review of all applications received will be conducted. Those applicants who are assessed as meeting the position qualifications and desired background experience for successful performance in the position of Public Safety Dispatcher will be invited to continue in the selection process.

Part II: Qualifying Written Examination (Pass/Fail): Applicants successful in Part I listed above will be invited, via email to submit written examination scores through the National Testing Network (NTN). Please do not submit written examination scores prior to receiving an email invitation.  Please visit the NTN website by clicking HERE to view testing information. 

Upon completion of the ECOMM (Emergency Communications) written exam all applicant scores are automatically forwarded to the City of Downey Human Resources Office. An applicant must receive a minimum score on the three sections listed below in order to continue in the selection process:

  • Call Taker – 53 or higher
  • Recording (Note Taking) – 64 or higher
  • Dispatch – 43 or higher

Part III: Appraisal Examination – Oral Interview (weighted 100%): Designed to assess the applicant’s knowledge, education, experience, and general ability to perform the essential functions of the position. This examination will be a panel interview and will be conducted by subject matter experts. 

Candidate(s) who complete selection testing with acceptable results will be considered by the Department hiring authority. Prior to a conditional offer of employment, a candidate will undergo a comprehensive background check that includes employment reference checks, criminal history check, fingerprinting with the California Department of Justice, a credit review, and a polygraph. A psychological examination and a job-related pre-placement medical examination will be conducted upon issuance of a conditional offer of employment.

Qualifying veterans of the United States Armed Forces who receive a passing score on an entrance examination shall be ranked in the top rank of any resulting eligibility list. The veteran’s preference shall also apply to a widow or widower of a veteran or a spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran (Government Code § 18973.1).

Any applicant requiring reasonable accommodation during the selection process due to a qualified disability must inform the Human Resources Office at (562) 904-7292 at least 72 hours in advance.