Communications Dispatcher I - Unclassified

County of Santa Clara•San Jose, CA

About The Position

Under supervision and initially in a training capacity, the Communications Dispatcher I answers 9-1-1 calls and dispatches personnel and equipment for one or more public safety operations. Candidates hired as Communications Dispatcher I - Unclassified attend an 8-week Basic Communications Dispatcher Academy as trainees. After becoming proficient in 9-1-1 call answering and law dispatching, they may receive training in other dispatching communities. Classified Communications Dispatcher I employees are probationary for 18 months and must complete additional training under a trainer. This is a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) position requiring a background investigation and successful completion of required training and certifications.

Requirements

Education, training, and experience equivalent to a high school diploma.
One year of experience in work involving public contact, computer usage, and/or heavy telephone traffic.
Pass a complete background investigation, including fingerprints, polygraph, psychological evaluation, and medical examination.
Successfully complete the POST Certification Training Course within one year of appointment or vacate the position.
Complete at least 24 hours of POST-qualifying Continuing Professional Training during each two-year CPT cycle.
Attain IAED Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD), Emergency Fire Dispatcher (EFD), and Emergency Police Dispatcher (EPD) certifications within one year of appointment or vacate the position, and maintain the certifications and required continuing education.
Complete assigned Disaster Service Worker training and return to work as ordered during an emergency.
Knowledge of customer service and interpersonal communications principles, simple record keeping, basic computer use, and telephone call-handling techniques.
Ability to learn to dispatch public safety personnel and equipment quickly and efficiently, and to learn two-way radio and telephone communications equipment.
Ability to monitor information from multiple sources in an open, noisy environment and perform multiple tasks while monitoring radio communications.
Ability to rapidly and accurately type while talking on the radio, answering calls, and switching between computer screens and applications.
Ability to learn and adhere to Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems and related technology.
Ability to learn and remember locations, department and government rules and procedures, and relevant facts and details.
Ability to work under pressure, use sound judgment in emergencies, retain and evaluate information from memory, and maintain composure and accuracy in stressful situations.
Ability to read and interpret mapping devices and relay pertinent information.
Ability to document information in English clearly, concisely, and accurately, and to understand and follow written and oral instructions in English.
Ability to establish effective working relationships and provide customer service while dealing tactfully with the public, law enforcement, and other officials.
Ability to transition at a moment's notice from inactivity to intense mental and physical activity, including rapid keyboarding.
Applicants with a felony conviction, or an out-of-state conviction that would be considered a felony in California, will be disqualified.

Responsibilities

Receive training in the reception and transmission of radio calls.
Operate communications equipment, including radio base stations, radio consoles, hand-held radios, telephones, and other communications equipment.
Monitor public safety frequencies.
Operate data communication terminals and conduct database searches to obtain information requested by law enforcement personnel.
Record the nature and source of incoming and outgoing radio messages as required.
Receive law, fire, and medical calls for service.
Create and maintain accurate, well-organized records for documentation and retrieval.
Keep apprised of current trends in law dispatching and meet continuing education requirements.
Complete assigned Disaster Service Worker duties and related training, and return to work as ordered in an emergency.
Perform other related duties as required.