Police Dispatcher (Lateral)

City of Chula Vista • Chula Vista, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is for current (lateral) dispatchers who work in a public safety communications center. A public safety communications center refers to any local, state or federal agency involved in the prevention of and protection from events that could endanger the safety of the general public. Dispatchers receive, evaluate, and transmit emergency and routine voice radio messages via telephone, and teletype and automatic alarm; dispatch required equipment and personnel in accordance with standard policies and procedures; maintain records; and perform related work as required. This is a full journey level class within the Police Dispatcher series and has the ability to perform a full range of duties assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance as unique situations arise. This class is distinguished from the Police Dispatcher Trainee in that the latter is an entry-level position that works under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Requirements

• Two years of responsible clerical, administrative, public information or emergency service including radio-telephone communications work (work experience in public safety field is highly desirable).
• Successful completion as a Police Dispatcher Trainee with the City of Chula Vista and training equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
• Valid typing certificate reflecting the ability to type at a rate of 40 net words per minute or higher with 5 errors or less.
• Typing certificate issued within one year prior to application receipt.
• Knowledge of basic terminology used in radio and telephone communications.
• Knowledge of operation of communication equipment, including telephone, radio, paging, computer and related systems.
• Knowledge of geographic features and boundaries of the Chula Vista area.
• Knowledge of English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of computerized data entry and retrieval systems used in dispatch communication and operations.
• Ability to learn City dispatch codes, policies and procedures.
• Ability to memorize codes, names, locations and other detailed information.
• Ability to attend to multiple activities and sources of input simultaneously during stressful situations.
• Ability to obtain complete and accurate information from individuals who during emergency situations may be emotionally distraught, angry or difficult to understand.
• Ability to remain calm and make rapid and sound independent judgments in stressful emergency situations.
• Ability to effectively operate the computer-aided dispatch system, display terminals, radio dispatching consoles, and associated equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret street maps.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate emergency situations as required to prioritize calls and to anticipate/determine the needs of responding personnel.
• Ability to make sound decisions using available information.
• Ability to read and interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to accomplish tasks in a controlled, effective manner while handling critical incident calls.
• Ability to work days, evenings, and nights, rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to type at a speed of at least 40 NWPM.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.

Nice To Haves

• Work experience in public safety field is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Receive service requests by telephone on 911 emergency and business lines.
• Obtain information on the nature of the request/emergency, the location, and telephone number of caller, name of caller and other pertinent information.
• Remain on the line with victim in emergency, as appropriate and creating a record of the information.
• Analyze requests for police service, determine priority ranking of each request and the kind and level of service to be dispatched in initial response.
• Determine available units to dispatch.
• Dispatch personnel and equipment according to standard operational procedures, instructions from a superior or by individual judgment as required.
• Refer difficult or extremely serious calls to supervisor.
• Listen to each radio transmission from police personnel in the field, acknowledge and comply with request for action or information.
• Keep superiors informed of emergency situations and general activities.
• Place telephone calls to other police jurisdictions, City departments, City emergency crews, vehicle tow companies, ambulance services, coroner, relatives of victims, telephone and utility companies, alarm company, traffic signal maintenance and other services concerning an emergency.
• Maintain detailed records of the time and nature of each call.
• Operate computer aided dispatch system equipment, TDD and other office equipment.
• Operate teletype and computer terminal to check for registered owners of vehicles and other information.
• Refer to maps and reference materials to secure information needed by personnel in the field and for the dispatch function.
• Take reports and relays messages by radio or telephone.
• Maintain a log of radio calls received and transmitted.
• Type, issue case numbers, log departmental activities and perform routine clerical work.
• Assist in monitoring activity in jail cells via a closed circuit TV system.
• Maintain law enforcement resources status and activity file in the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) computer.
• May instruct other personnel in the techniques and use of communications equipment.
• May perform minor or routine upkeep and maintenance of equipment.
• Perform other duties related to this position.

Benefits

• Relocation allowance up to $5,000 for expenses incurred for the relocation of the employee and their immediate family to San Diego County.
• Eligible for the Employee Referral Program (successful referral receives either 16 hours of leave or a referral payment of up to $3,000).

What This Job Offers

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