City And Job Overview
The City of Garden Grove Police Department is made up of dedicated individuals working together to advance and uphold our reputation as one of America’s best suburban police forces.
Our greatest strength as an organization is the quality, training and commitment of our workforce. We are now accepting applications for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher, to perform work that is critical to our continuing ability to serve our community well.
We currently have several Public Safety Dispatcher vacancies in our Police Department and the eligibility list resulting from this process is expected to be used to fill the current and future vacancies arising in the next six months, so apply now!
Essential Duties
Working under general supervision, Public Safety Dispatchers receive and process requests for police, fire and/or emergency medical service, using a computer-aided dispatch system.
This job requires individuals who are alert, highly responsible and able to make sound judgments quickly while working in high-pressure circumstances. Dispatchers work a 3/12 shift. Employees are assigned to work the day or night shift and may be required to work on weekends and holidays, if staffing or workload dictates. Overtime or working through lunch may also be required if the work is urgent or the workload cannot be covered.
Using a computer-aided dispatch system to receive and transmit requests for assistance via voice radio, and based on information secured from incoming calls, Public Safety Dispatchers send out personnel and equipment for both routine and emergency service according to established procedures, or as directed by supervisory personnel.
This job requires good judgment and the ability to: apply predetermined plans; maintain computer terminal and radio contact with field personnel; receive and transmit information, relay messages, keep command personnel informed of the status of emergency situations; keep records and logs of communication activities and maintain activity logs, special files, lists and maps; learn and maintain familiarity with the locations of streets, specified buildings and facilities to coordinate activity with field personnel on assignment.
Requirements
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Equivalent to graduation from high school and one year of clerical or other related experience involving contact with the public and some use of independent judgment.
Public Safety experience and/or completion of POST Public Safety Dispatcher training is highly desirable (CR JUS 079 - available at Golden West College, Huntington Beach).
Knowledge Of
Customer service techniques and principles; use of personal computers.
Ability To
Learn the practices and procedures involved in public safety communications work; codes; the operations of radio/telephone receiving and transmitting equipment; the geography of the City, and the location of streets and important buildings; utilize the computer-aided dispatch system and computerized record systems; read and interpret maps; work in a regimented environment and exercise good judgment; retain information; provide quality customer service and maintain a courteous, patient, and professional attitude on all radio and phone contacts; keep detailed and accurate records, and prepare reports.; hear accurately and speak clearly and distinctly; type a minimum of 30 words per minute.
Other Requirements
Applicants must not have any felony convictions.
The ability to speak Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean is highly desirable.
Other Important Information
Applications can be completed on-line at www.ci.garden-grove.ca.us by following the links: Jobs,and Current Job Openings. or you can apply online in the Human Resources Department at 11222 Acacia Parkway, Garden Grove, CA. Our hours are Mon-Thu, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; open Fri hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; we are closed every other Fri. City Hall will be closed June 27th, July 4th and July 17th.
Application Packets Must Include
- A completed employment application
- Responses to the supplemental questions located at the end of this posting
Job applications must be completely filled out; a resume cannot be substituted for some of the information. Be sure to detail any education, training or other relevant coursework that would make you a particularly strong candidate.
Your application will be reviewed very carefully, and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to further testing.
The selection process will include a POST Dispatch written examination, a typing speed test (a speed of 30 WPM is required*), and a panel interview. Candidates will be notified of the exact dates as the recruitment progresses.
- Typing speed requirements: We encourage you to present valid certification from an appropriate source that documents your ability to type at the speed required (i.e., a Temporary Agency, school or current employer); this would substitute for the typing test portion of our selection process. Acceptable certificates are those issued within the past 12 months. Internet certificates are not accepted.
Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must call the Human Resources Department at least one week prior to any test dates.
Candidates considered for appointment to a position must pass a thorough background investigation, a psychological evaluation, and a pre-placement medical examination, which includes a drug and alcohol-screening test, and will be required to take a Polygraph/Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) Examination.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources Department at (714) 741-5004.
City of Garden Grove's Excellent Benefits!
VACATION
Accrues At The Following Rates
- 80 hours upon completion of one (1) year
- 120 hours after one (1) year - 10 hours per month
- 144 hours after nine (9) years - 12 hours per month
- 168 hours after fourteen (14) years - 14 hours per month
- 207 hours after nineteen (19) years - 17.25 hours per month
- 246 hours after twenty-four (24) years and thereafter
HOLIDAYS: 14 paid holidays a year (up to 125 hours)
SICK LEAVE: Accrues at 8 hours for each full calendar month of service.
CAFETERIA PLAN HEALTH INSURANCE: The City provides each eligible employee a fringe benefit allocation to purchase benefits for themselves and their dependents. Any unused portion of the allowance may be put into a deferred compensation plan, or taken as cash at the end of the year, or invested into a Flexible Reimbursement Account in which employees may tax-defer funds to use to pay for childcare or to cover those health and dental care expenses (deductibles, etc.) that are not reimbursed by an insurance carrier.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM: Employees may contribute to a 457(b) account up to the maximum as determined by the IRS annually. There is no City contribution.
Retirement
Tier I - Employees hired prior to January 1, 2013, are covered by the "2.5% at 55" single highest year option of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) plan. Employees contribute eight percent (8%) of salary to PERS on a tax-deferred basis. Employees hired after January 1, 2013 that have already been enrolled in CalPERS or another reciprocal retirement system and do not have a break in service of more than six (6) months may be hired into Tier I. The plan also includes the 1959 Survivor Benefit (Indexed Level), and $5,000 death benefit.
Tier II - Employees hired after January 1, 2013, are covered by the "2% at 62" three highest year average option of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) plan. Employees contribute half of the normal cost to PERS on a tax-deferred basis. The plan also includes the 1959 Survivor Benefit (Indexed Level), and $5,000 death benefit.
BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Employees may receive $85 per pay period if designated by the department head and certified by Human Resources to use bilingual verbal and translation abilities for languages such as Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, or other designated languages. A designated and certified bilingual employee required to utilize his/her verbal-only bilingual abilities (Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish and/or any other language designated by the City Manager) on City business will be paid $65 each pay period.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Employees who successfully pass probation may receive up to $3,000 per year for pre-approved completed coursework toward a college degree.
RIDESHARE PROGRAM: Incentives in the form of various gift certificates and transportation subsidies are provided to encourage ride sharing and other types of alternate commuting modes.
THE BENEFITS LISTED ABOVE ARE ONLY RELEVANT TO FULL TIME EMPLOYEES. BENEFITS FOR PART-TIME BENEFITED EMPLOYEES WILL DIFFER FROM THOSE OF A FULL TIME EMPLOYEE.
01
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Work a “3/12 schedule” (three twelve-hour shifts) per week? Assigned shift times are: day shift (6am-6pm), or night shift (6pm-6am).
02
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Change to a different work shift, depending on departmental staffing needs, approximately every six weeks during training and every six months thereafter? (Individual preferences MAY be able to be accommodated, but there are no guarantees.)
03
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Work weekends and holidays, depending on your assigned work schedule? (If you are assigned to work on a holiday, you will receive either compensatory time off or appropriate pay.)
04
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Stay physically at your worksite except for two, 10-minute breaks and lunch, depending upon the workload (i.e., you will not be able to walk around, use the restroom, get coffee, etc.)?
05
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Have your lunch and rest breaks scheduled for you, as opposed to being able to schedule your own?
06
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Work in an organization that is structured on a “military” model, where you may be required to wear a uniform, under-go regular uniform inspections and where everyone maintains a highly structured “chain-of-command”?
07
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Have limited opportunities to socialize with co-workers during your shift due to the heavy workload?
08
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Receive rigorous training to ensure your work contains only minimal errors because accuracy is a must?
09
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Work at a rapid pace for extended periods of time, performing repetitious tasks that require very careful attention to detail?
10
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Receive daily ratings of your job performance during your six months of training, which includes both positive feedback and discussion of those areas where your performance needs improvement?
11
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Work at a computer terminal for extended periods of time while maintaining intense concentration?
12
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Learn complex computer and phone systems?
13
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Respond pleasantly and quickly to multiple interruptions and requests where urgency is a factor?
14
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Sit for extended periods of time at a small, confined work area in a room with low lighting
15
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Strictly maintain the confidentiality of all of the information to which you are exposed?
16
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Provide courteous customer service to all people you come into contact with, whether by person or telephone, including Police Department and court personnel, those who may have poor English comprehension or difficulty communicating in English, those who are upset or irrational, or people who may not observe the same courtesy level with you?
17
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Answer and respond to calls where a violent crime is in progress, and make quick decisions on which one or more person's safety is at stake?
18
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Diffuse problem situations effectively, even when confronted with abusive language or angry behavior?
19
AS A PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER, WOULD YOU BE WILLING AND ABLE TO: Undergo a thorough background investigation which includes, but is not limited to, the review of: legal documents, police and driving records; your credit profile; your motor vehicle insurance; and questions made to, and comments received from, family members, spouses, ex-spouses, neighbors, business references, etc.?
20
If you checked NO to any of the Willingness Questionnaire items previously listed, please explain.
21
Please describe what abilities, skills, and personal characteristics or traits you possess that would make you a good fit for the job of Public Safety Dispatcher and why AND how your background, training and/or experience qualifies you for this position.
22
Public Safety Dispatchers work in very fast-paced, team-oriented working environment, and must work weekends, holidays, nights and change shifts on a regular basis. Why does this kind of job appeal to you?
23
The ability to speak Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean is highly desirable, but not necessary to be successful in this position. In which of the three languages mentioned above, if any, do you have full fluency? (Full fluency = ability to read, write, and speak effectively)
