Police Dispatcher - Part Time

City of Bell•Bell City Hall, CA

About The Position

The Police Dispatcher performs duties supporting the City’s emergency systems dispatching operations within the Police Department. The role evaluates incoming requests for services or information, determines the proper course of action, and follows departmental standard operating policies and procedures. The dispatcher serves as a first point of contact in emergency situations and supports officers and the community. Training is provided. The position receives emergency and non-emergency 911 telephone and radio calls, gathers information from callers, and dispatches appropriate units or equipment. It responds to information requests from patrol units, maintains contact with responding personnel, operates specialized computer systems, maintains logs and records, provides information to the public, and prepares reports. The role may also include clerical duties, attending public meetings, and serving as a matron to search suspects in custody. The position requires the ability to work a variety of shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. A 120-hour P.O.S.T. Basic Public Safety Dispatcher course must be successfully completed within 12 months of hire.

Requirements

Education equivalent to a high school diploma or GED.
Two years of full-time clerical experience involving substantial public contact.
Ability to speak English and use translation services when necessary.
Type at least 45 words per minute, verified by a typing test.
Ability to evaluate emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch appropriate units.
Ability to remain calm, act quickly, and exercise good judgment in emergency and non-emergency situations.
Ability to effectively operate computer-aided dispatch system rooms, 9-1-1 telephone equipment, and radio equipment.
Ability to read and interpret manuals and codes related to the work.
Ability to compile information and maintain records.
Ability to work a variety of shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to enter and retrieve computer data with sufficient speed and accuracy.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing.
Ability to use sound, independent judgment within established policy and procedural guidelines.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people contacted in the course of work.
Some positions require possession of, or the ability to obtain and retain, a California Class C driver’s license by appointment; disability or personal-choice exceptions are reviewed case by case.
Successfully complete a 120-hour P.O.S.T. Basic Public Safety Dispatcher course within 12 months of hire.
Knowledge of municipal police department operations, services, and activities.
Knowledge of specialized police operations computer applications, including computer-aided dispatch systems and local, regional, and national criminal justice systems.
Knowledge of departmental standard operating procedures for emergency and non-emergency response situations.
Knowledge of techniques for eliciting critical information from distressed callers in a crisis.
Knowledge of recordkeeping methods and procedures.
Knowledge of techniques for conducting searches of individuals in custody.
Knowledge of quality customer-service methods for serving City staff and the public.
Knowledge of modern office administrative procedures and standard office equipment.
Knowledge of English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations related to the assigned area of responsibility.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual ability in Spanish is highly desirable.
Clerical experience in a police or fire department is preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive and respond to incoming 911 emergency and non-emergency telephone and radio calls.
Elicit information from callers about the nature of a situation, assess it, and dispatch appropriate units or equipment.
Respond to patrol units’ requests for information using computer systems to query local, regional, or national law enforcement agencies.
Maintain contact with local units and personnel from other law enforcement agencies during emergency responses until situations are resolved.
Operate specialized computer systems; enter and retrieve data; and maintain logs and records.
Provide information about emergency services operations and activities to members of the public within established guidelines.
Ensure work-related actions and responses comply with departmental standard operating policies and procedures.
Compile data and prepare reports of calls for service, equipment dispatched, and call dispositions.
Perform data entry, citation entry, and other clerical duties.
May attend public meetings to present on police or dispatch functions.
May serve as matron, perform searches of suspects in custody, and perform related assigned duties.