Dispatcher

City of Alhambra•Alhambra, CA

10d

About The Position

The Dispatcher performs complex duties involving receiving and dispatching calls for law enforcement, fire, ambulance, and other emergency assistance. The role receives supervision from the Assistant Chief Police of the Support Services Division or designee. The top of the current salary range is $85,223.52, and the position includes an excellent benefits package. Applications may close once a sufficient number are received. A valid typing certificate is required with the application. The position is subject to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act's mandated-reporter requirements as a condition of employment. The Dispatcher receives emergency calls, determines the nature and location of emergencies and their priority, and dispatches resources. The employee maintains contact with assigned units and records dispatch activity; uses computer and teletype systems to access and update public-safety information; coordinates calls with other law-enforcement agencies; handles warrant and vehicle-impound records; and performs related clerical, recordkeeping, and equipment-inspection duties. The job requires working assigned shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Candidates must submit an application and a qualifying typing certificate showing a net speed of 35 WPM. Candidates are screened and may be invited to a qualifying written examination and panel interview. Successful candidates must pass the City's pre-employment physical and a background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, and medical examination.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Certification verifying a typing speed of 35 net WPM; the certificate must be issued and dated within six months of application and come from an accepted source. Internet or electronic certificates are not accepted.
Complete, or be able to attend and successfully complete, the Police Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Dispatch Course.
Obtain a P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate within twelve months of appointment.
Candidates without a P.O.S.T. Dispatcher Certificate must pass a written test related to essential dispatching skills within twelve months of appointment.
Ability to work under pressure, exercise sound judgment, and make decisions in emergencies.
Ability to learn Computer Aided Dispatch and 9-1-1 systems, emergency-call procedures, radio rules and dispatch procedures, local geography, recordkeeping and report security, and general law-enforcement codes and practices.
Ability to communicate effectively with upset or irate members of the public and elicit information from them.
Accurate typing and ability to operate a computer terminal, teletype, and other office equipment.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
Ability to work assigned shifts, including weekends, holidays, and night shifts.
If driving a City vehicle, possession of and ability to maintain a valid Class C California Driver's License.
Ability to lift up to 15 pounds; sit for long periods; reach; work in an enclosed environment with limited mobility; and perform grasping, repetitive hand movements, and fine coordination for keyboard data entry.
Near and far vision for reading work documents and using a computer, and acute hearing for phone and personal service.
Pass the required examination and selection process, including a pre-employment physical, background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, and medical examination.

Nice To Haves

Experience operating radio, teletypewriter, or other communication equipment is highly desirable.
Possession of a P.O.S.T. Dispatcher Certificate.

Responsibilities

Receive emergency service calls and determine their nature, location, and priority; dispatch appropriate resources.
Maintain contact with units on assignment and track law-enforcement unit status and locations.
Maintain daily logs of field calls and dispatched units.
Enter and retrieve public-safety information using computer terminals and teletype networks, including information about wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registrations, and stolen vehicles.
Use telecommunications systems to coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law-enforcement agencies.
Receive, respond to, and document warrant and Division of Motor Vehicles printout requests; verify, type, and file warrants.
Document vehicle impound information.
Maintain automated and manual logs, records, files, and other dispatch-related documentation.
Perform recordkeeping, filing, indexing, and general clerical work related to public-safety activities.
Test and inspect equipment as required and arrange for needed repairs.
Maintain regular attendance and perform related duties as required.