Communications Dispatcher

City of Porterville • Porterville, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, receives requests for fire/law enforcement services and dispatches units via radio; maintains contact with department personnel in the field and stations; provides general phone reception for the city; performs related duties as required.

Requirements

• Must have earned a high school diploma, or equivalent, and have one year of experience in public contact work including receipt and referral of a significant volume of requests and telephone communications or any combination of training and experience that provides the desired knowledge and abilities
• Knowledge of: Techniques for communicating with people in distress; record keeping and filing procedures; use of reference books; basic law enforcement terms and radio codes; questions to ask to determine nature of call and of emergency; geography and boundaries of service areas; procedure for operation of NCIC, CJIS and related information systems.
• Ability to: Perform multiple tasks at the same time; speak clearly over telephone and radio; communicate with people in emergencies; remain calm and in control; control situations involving irate and emotionally distraught persons; work under stressful conditions; deal with the public in a courteous manner; communicate with people of different backgrounds and with different communication abilities; learn and follow detailed written and verbal procedural directions; selects appropriate course of action based upon the information available; recall details and record them accurately and completely; maintain confidentiality; disseminate information quickly and accurately; sort and file documents; formulate and ask questions to get needed information; work independently; use a computer terminal.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California Driver’s License may be required.
• Must have earned a high school diploma, or equivalent and possess ability to pass an extensive background investigation.
• Typing certificate of 45 wpm.

Responsibilities

• Receives requests for fire and police service over the phone; screens incoming calls to determine necessity, priority, and type of response required; monitors other radio frequencies to be aware of incidents elsewhere that may affect city police operations; monitors alarm systems.
• Dispatches police and/or fire units in response to calls for service or requests from officers in the field; uses law enforcement terminology and cites Code sections by number; calls public and private agencies to request mutual assistance when necessary.
• Keeps track of fire and police unit locations and status; maintains constant radio communications with personnel in the field; runs warrant checks on subjects, registration checks on vehicles, and property checks using teletype; relays information and instructions to personnel in the field.
• Maintains log of incoming service requests and actions taken; may take criminal reports over the phone; compiles statistical reports; prepares other reports and records as directed; maintains files necessary for dispatch as assigned; enters data into computer system; may testify in court.
• Provides general information to the public; as necessary, refers callers to appropriate agencies.
• Acts as central reception for the city by relaying calls to appropriate department, division, and/or person.
• May perform routine clerical work such as assisting with citation processing, as well as routine typing or report preparation; may perform matron duties.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED