Public Safety Dispatcher (Lateral)

Salary : $55,668.00 - $71,064.00 Annually
Location : Los Banos, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 07-2024
Department: Police
Opening Date: 07/02/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
All applicants MUST submit a typing certificate for at least 35NWPM. Typing certificates obtained online WILL NOT be accepted. Typing certificates must also not be older than two (years) from the close of the recruitment. Applicants who do not submit the required typing certificate will not move forward in the recruitment process.
Applicants may obtain a typing certificate through Worknet in Los Banos; (209) 710-6140.
Qualified applicants will be contacted once the recruitment closes.
DEFINITION
To receive and transmit emergency and non-emergency calls from the public for police, fire and other City services; to prioritize calls and dispatch police, fire, or other emergency units as appropriate; to process and maintain a variety of departmental reports, records and files; to search inmates; and to monitor and assist in jail operations.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from the Dispatch Supervisor and/or Police Administrators.
Detailed Work Activities
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Reliable and dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Receive emergency and non-emergency calls from the public requesting police, fire, or other related services; determine nature and location of emergency; determine priority and dispatch emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures; coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement agencies.
• Use a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system to enter calls for service/radio traffic and monitor real-time status of situations.
• Maintain status and contact with all units on assignment and monitor radio frequencies of outside public safety agencies.
• Enter, retrieve, and update information from teletype networks, including the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) related to wants and warrants and vehicle registration.
• Perform a variety of clerical duties including typing police reports, entering and retrieving data relating to confidential information about persons and property, confirming warrants, entering teletypes, clearing, locating and entering records.
• Monitor closed circuit television system and alarm panel.
• Search inmates, perform jail checks and feed prisoners.
• Update manuals to ensure accuracy and compliance with State and Federal laws.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Train newly assigned personnel.
• Provide testimony in court related to assigned duties.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a modern public safety telecommunications and dispatch center.
• Call taking and dispatch techniques and protocols used in public safety telecommunications and dispatching activities.
• Customer service principles and practices.
• Principles and practices of record keeping and filing.
• Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Principles and practices of work safety.

Ability to:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Answer and prioritize calls for emergency services and dispatch appropriate units in response.
• Perform multiple cognitive and manual tasks simultaneously.
• Effectively communicate and maintain composure with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
• Intermittently review documents related to dispatching operations; observe, identify and problem solve incidents while dispatching, remember, understand, interpret and explain operational policies and procedures to the public and staff.
• Operate dispatch, teletype and other computer programs and equipment related to public safety communications and records.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk/console for long periods of time; intermittently, twist and reach office equipment; write or use keyboard to communicate through written means; verbally give instructions to officers in the field; monitor and hear officer's responses over the radio; and lift and carry weight of 10 pounds or less.
• Remain calm, speak clearly, listen and determine appropriate course of action while dealing with multiple emergency situations
• Analyze situations and determine effective courses of action; learn to adjust quickly to changing situations and assign reasonable priorities to incoming calls.
• Interpret and apply laws, ordinances, and departmental policies and procedures.
• Preserve confidentiality of sensitive material routinely encountered as part of work assignment.
• Establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with co-workers and members of the public.
• Exercise independent judgment and work with a minimum of supervision.
• Operate a variety of office equipment such as a copier, calculator, computer and typewriter.
• Type at a speed necessary for adequate job performance (35 NWPM).
• Learn and effectively use standard broadcasting procedures.
• Safely and effectively search prisoners.
• Monitor prisoners in a jail setting and to perform emergency first aid.
• Work rotating shift assignments.

Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be age eighteen (18) by date of application.
• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
• Possession of a valid California Class C driver license.
• Type at a speed of 35 NWPM.
• Must obtain a Basic Public Safety Dispatch Certificate issued by Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) within one (1) year following hire date.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two (2) years of public contact experience (in person or over the telephone) demonstrating a general aptitude for working with the public in a multi-task environment
• Experience in a radio dispatching work setting.

The City offers an excellent benefit package that includes: a) Retirement: California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS); b) Health Insurance: City pays approved health insurance premium through CalPERS for employee only and partial dependent costs; c) Dental and Vision Insurance: City pays approved dental and vision insurance premiums for employee only and partial dependent costs; d) Life Insurance: City provides $50,000 life insurance coverage for employee only, buy-up options are available; e) Vacation Allowance: two (2) weeks paid vacation after one (1) year, three (3) weeks after five (5) years, four (4) weeks after fifteen (15) years of employment; f) Sick Leave: Accumulated at a rate of one (1) day per month with no maximum accrual; g) Deferred Compensation: Option to participate in plans through Mass Mutual, Nationwide Solutions, or ICMA-RC.
01
Are you eighteen (18) years of age or older?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you currently have a valid California Class C driver license or have the ability to obtain one?

• Yes
• No

04
Did you attach a typing certificate to your application as required in the job posting?

• Yes
• No

05
Do you understand that you must obtain a Basic Public Safety Dispatch Certificate issued by Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) within one (1) year following your hire date?

• Yes
• No

06
Do you have two (2) years of public contact experience (in person or over the telephone) demonstrating a general aptitude for working with the public in a multi-task environment and experience in a radio dispatching work setting?

• Yes
• No

07
If you answered 'yes' to 'do you have two (2) years of public contact experience (in person or over the telephone) demonstrating a general aptitude for working with the public in a multi-task environment and experience in radio dispatching work setting?', please explain your experience in detail.If you answered 'no', type N/A.
08
Candidates who are considered for this position will be subject to the following as part of the selection process for the Los Banos Police Department:1) Background investigation (minimally includes verification of education, employment, military, criminal history, credit history, DMV records, and personal history).2) Post-offer drug screen3) Post-offer medical examination4) Post-offer psychological examinationDo you understand and agree that you will be subject to these tests?

• Yes
• No

09
Are you CURRENTLY working as a public safety dispatcher?

• Yes
• No

Required Question