Public Safety Dispatcher I/II

Description

To learn more about this exciting career opportunity click HERE!

For more information about the Public Safety Dispatcher career, please click on the link below to POST's guide on becoming an exemplary Public Safety Dispatcher. Note: This optional reference guide is provided for informational purposes only and is not part of the recruitment process.

POST Guide on Becoming an Exemplary Public Safety Dispatcher

DEFINITION

Under direct to general supervision, receives incoming emergency and non-emergency calls, and dispatches Police and other public safety units following prescribed procedures; answers non-emergency calls for public safety and other City departments; initiates contact with other City departments and agencies as needed in response to calls received; performs a variety of general administrative support duties including record keeping, typing, and filing; and performs related work as required.

Essential and Marginal Duties

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direct (Public Safety Dispatcher I) or general (Public Safety Dispatcher II) supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff. Exercises no supervision of staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Public Safety Dispatcher I: This is the entry-level class in the Public Safety Dispatcher series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents with basic public contact experience learn to interact with the public in both emergency and non-emergency situations to receive, transmit, and provide factual information, forms, and reports. As more experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II level, but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise. Since this class is often used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.

Public Safety Dispatcher II: This is the journey-level class in the Public Safety Dispatcher series that performs the full range of receiving and dispatching emergency calls for the Police Department. Responsibilities are centered on extensive contact with the public over the telephone, in both emergency and non-emergency situations to receive, transmit, and provide factual information, forms, and reports. All activities must be performed within specified legal guidelines. Incumbents are expected to work independently and exercise judgment and initiative. Positions at this level are distinguished from the entry-level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Senior Public Safety Dispatcher in that the latter provides technical and functional direction to lower-level support staff and is responsible for the more complex work.

Positions in the Public Safety Dispatcher class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the II-level are normally filled by advancement from the I-level after gaining the knowledge, skill, and experience which meet the qualifications for and after demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.

Minimum Qualifications

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Receives and evaluates police and emergency calls, and related business calls for the City during an assigned portion of the 24-hours-per-day/7-days-per-week Police Department operations; provides information and/or transfers calls to the appropriate department, agency, or response organization; takes messages for Police Department personnel.
• Dispatches public safety emergency units in accordance with established procedures and policies using a computerized dispatch system, including determining priority of emergency and contacting and sending appropriate response unit.
• Maintains contact with field units, including accounting for location and status of units and maintaining records of field calls; sends back-up units, as necessary, ensuring the safety of field units.
• Operates computer, telephone, and radio console and telecommunication equipment simultaneously while performing dispatching activities; tests and inspects equipment as assigned.
• Logs call data in a written or automated format; monitors calls after initial dispatch to provide additional coordination, support, or information.
• Enters, updates, and retrieves a variety of records from teletype database, including stolen vehicles and property, vehicle registration information, guns and property, and warranted or missing persons.
• Accesses Federal, State, and local law enforcement information databases to obtain information regarding outstanding warrants, criminal history, records information, and vehicle data; relays such information to sworn staff.
• Acts as a liaison to the public and representatives of other agencies for the department; provides initial non-emergency contact with the public and representatives of other agencies for the requesting of police records or related services; determines the nature of the contact; provides factual information regarding services, policies, and procedures, which requires a knowledge of legal guidelines, departmental policies and procedures, and the use of tact and discretion, or directs the caller to the proper individual or agency.
• Maintains accurate departmental and law enforcement records and files, researches and compiles information from such files.
• Attends necessary training and shift briefing sessions as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Additional Information

Qualifications

Some knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed by positions at the entry (I) level in a learning capacity:

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of data collection and report preparation.
• Business arithmetic.
• Basic principles of record keeping.
• Functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies.
• Terminology and procedures used in public safety dispatching.
• Operation of computer-aided communications equipment, including multiple telephone lines and radio systems.
• City and County geography, maps, streets, landmarks, and driving directions.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation including the Department of Justice California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS).
  
  

Ability to

• Assess and prioritize emergency situations while remaining calm and using sound, independent judgment.
• Memorize codes, names, street locations, and other information.
• Read and interpret maps and other pertinent documentation.
• Interpret, apply and explain policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Attend to multiple activities simultaneously.
• Obtain necessary information from individuals in stressful or emergency situations.
• Compile and summarize information to prepare accurate, clear, and concise reports.
• Perform technical, detailed, and responsible office support work.
• Compose correspondence independently or from brief instructions.
• Organize, maintain, and update office database and records systems.
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy.
• Effectively communicate upset and irate callers; obtain necessary information from individuals in stressful or emergency situations.
• Multi-task by listening, speaking, and performing computer functions simultaneously.
• Learn and effectively utilize various law enforcement software programs to retrieve or record information quickly and accurately.
• Learn a wide variety of classification codes and computer commands and standard broadcasting procedures and rules.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks including the Department of Justice California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS).
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  
  

Education and Experience

Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from the twelfth (12th) grade.

Public Safety Dispatcher I: Two (2) years of general clerical experience involving public contact.

Public Safety Dispatcher II: Two (2) years of dispatch experience equivalent to Public Safety Dispatcher I with the City of Tracy.

Licenses and Certifications

Public Safety Dispatcher I and II

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license upon appointment.
• May be required to complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training.
  
  

Public Safety Dispatcher II

• Possession of a valid P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatcher Certification.
  
  

The City of Tracy provides a generous benefit package to employees in the Teamsters Unit. A summary of key benefits is listed below. More information can be found in the Benefit Summary and in the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Tracy and General Teamsters Local No. 439, IBT.

Health Benefits - Choice administered through Teamsters Benefit Trust - Kaiser or United Healthcare health insurance plans available after a 3 month waiting period with generous City contribution.

Dental and Vision Plans - Choice of United Healthcare, Liberty Dental, or Delta Dental plans available (Delta Dental is available after completion of 12 months of eligibility in the Trust Fund in addition to a 3 month waiting period). VSP is available for Vision coverage.

Life Insurance - Individual coverage of $30,000. Premium is fully paid by the City.

Retirement Program - CalPERS (formula dependent on hire date and member status in CalPERS). Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation programs available (MissionSquare & AIG/VALIC). The City participates in Social Security.

Paid Leave and Holidays - General vacation accrues at the rate of 96 hours per year the first year and progresses up to 192 hours per year at 16 years of service. Sick leave is accrued at a rate of 96 hours per year with unlimited accrual. There are 14 paid holidays per year ( includes 2 floating holidays).

Dependent Care and Medical Spending Accounts - (IRS Section 125): Available to eligible employees on a voluntary basis.

Uniform Allowance - Parks and Recreation Department and Public Works Department: Provided and maintained by the City. Fire Inspector: Shirt provided, jacket provided as needed. Crime Scene Technician, Animal Services Officer, Crime Prevention Specialist, Community Service Officer, and Property/Evidence Technicians shall be paid an annual uniform allowance in the amount of $800 per year. Safety Boot Allowance: Limited reimbursement up to $190 per fiscal year.

Additional Benefits - Employee Assistance Program, AFLAC, Tool Replacement, Employee Credit Union, Direct Deposit, Scholarshare529 and Tuition Reimbursement.

01

I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete the following Supplemental Questions. I understand these responses must match the information I provide in the Work Experience and Education sections of my application (do not answer "see resume"). I certify that all information provided on this application and the Supplemental Questions is true to the best of my knowledge.

• Yes
  
  

02

I understand that this position is a variable hour position that will be required to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Yes
  
  

03

Do you currently possess a valid California Driver's License?

• Yes
• No
  

04

Do you currently possess a high school diploma or equivalency?

• Yes
• No
  

05

Are you currently a Public Safety Dispatcher II with another law enforcement agency?

• Yes
• No
  

06

Do you currently possess a POST Basic Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate?

• Yes
• No
  

07

If you answered "Yes" to the question above, you acknowledge you understand that in order for your application to be considered, you must attach a copy of your POST Basic Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate to the application. If not applicable, please select "N/A"

• Yes
• N/A
  
  

08

If you are currently a Public Safety Dispatcher with a law enforcement or Fire agency, would you be interested in part-time per diem work? If you are not currently a Public Safety Dispatcher, please select "N/A".

• Yes
• No
• N/A
  

Required Question

Agency City of Tracy

Address 333 Civic Center Plaza

Tracy, California, 95376

Phone 209-831-6150

209-831-6158

Website http://www.cityoftracy.org