Public Safety Communications Dispatcher I (Full-Time/Part-Time)

City of Delano•Delano, CA

About The Position

Under direction, the Public Safety Communications Dispatcher I receives 911 emergency police calls and non-emergency calls, evaluates incoming information, and dispatches officers according to established public safety procedures. The position operates telecommunications center equipment in a highly stressful environment and provides dispatching and communications services to police, animal control, code enforcement, probation, and community service personnel. The dispatcher handles emergency, non-emergency, and business calls; monitors radio traffic and security cameras; maintains call records, logs, files, bulletins, and audio recordings; and provides information to officers and supervisors. The position also handles telephone inquiries, paging, after-hours phone lines, equipment repair requests, and court testimony. Additional duties include assisting with clerical tasks and inmate photographs, supporting the training of new operators, and performing other assigned duties. The role requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a qualifying public safety dispatcher training certificate at appointment or within one year, and an official typing certificate showing at least 40 words per minute. Applicants must pass a comprehensive background investigation. Preferred or desirable qualifications include relevant college education, armed forces radio school, familiarity with police terminology, and relevant dispatching or public safety experience.

Requirements

High school diploma or an equivalent certificate or diploma recognized by the State of California.
Certificate of Graduation from a Public Safety Dispatcher Training Course, or acquire it within one year of appointment or employment.
Official typing certificate, not obtained online and dated within one year, showing a speed of at least 40 words per minute.
Pass an initial comprehensive background investigation.
Knowledge of PC principles and related software, dispatch communications equipment, written and oral English, record keeping, standard office equipment, police terminology, and emergency radio and telephone communications procedures.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply procedures and policies; perform detailed work; assess and prioritize emergencies; and manage simultaneous activities and information sources.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, operate a PC and related software, maintain effective working relationships, communicate with the public, prepare reports, and read and interpret street maps.
Ability to wear standardized apparel and function within a structured chain-of-command environment.
Ability to read, understand, interpret, and apply City dispatching codes, policies, procedures, and regulations.
Ability to apply public safety dispatching principles, practices, and techniques using available City equipment and operate a complex radio dispatch/information system.
Ability to remain calm and focused and make rapid judgments during sustained, highly stressful emergency conditions.
Ability to understand and comply with broadcasting procedures and FCC regulations.
Consistently meet employment obligations by reporting on time and working assigned full workdays and workweeks.
Willingness to work evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts on a rotational basis, and to remain on duty or respond to recall when paged and physically available to maintain minimum staffing levels.

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree or two full academic years at an accredited college or university, with a major or emphasis in criminology, law enforcement/administration of justice, behavioral science, or a related field.
Graduation from an armed forces radio school.
Familiarity with police terminology.
One to two years of experience in a law enforcement agency dispatching role, another radio dispatching role, armed forces radio experience, or service as a reserve peace officer with a police or sheriff department.

Responsibilities

Receive and evaluate 911, police and fire emergency, non-emergency, and business calls.
Dispatch police and animal control units to emergency and non-emergency locations.
Provide dispatching and communications services to code enforcement, probation, and community service personnel.
Operate a multi-channel radio system and maintain contact with mobile and portable units.
Recognize units from other agencies and assist them with City units or requested information.
Transfer non-emergency and business calls to appropriate parties and manage telephone inquiries and complaints.
Log calls, complete call forms, maintain radio-call records, and monitor radio traffic.
Request technicians to repair malfunctioning equipment.
Respond to officer-initiated radio traffic and requests, and relay suspect information.
Monitor closed-circuit security cameras.
Maintain and access business and premise history and index files for emergency and other necessary contacts.
Handle in-house and radio paging and other after-hours phone lines.
Maintain bulletins, lists, ledgers, logs, and files containing information needed by officers, and provide information from them upon request.
Change communications audio tapes to maintain a continuous record and retain tapes according to current law and procedure.
Provide court testimony.
Interface with police command staff concerning shift issues.
Assist female Custodial Officers with clerical requirements and taking photographs of inmates.
Assist in training new Public Safety Communication Operators.
Perform other duties as assigned.