Public Safety Dispatcher (Trainee)

City of Santa Barbara•Santa Barbara, CA

10h•Onsite

About The Position

This is an unclassified trainee position. Under supervision, incumbents are trained to answer and process all incoming emergency and non–emergency requests for police, fire, and medical assistance. Operate a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, video display terminals, and associated equipment. Evaluate the information and create a CAD system incident, or provide information to the caller or transfer the call to the proper emergency service provider. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action to help assure officer safety. Monitor and maintain status of assigned public safety personnel and equipment; initiate fire equipment move-ups to ensure adequate citywide fire protection. Determine nature, priority, and disposition of calls. Inquire, interpret, verify, receive, and disseminate information from law enforcement computer networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, and vehicle registration. May be required to provide the public with basic first aid and pre-arrival instructions during medical emergencies following the established Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) protocols. Perform other duties as required. The Combined Communications Center is a 24-hour facility located at the Police Department. Incumbents must be available to work weekends, holidays, call back, standby, and rotating shifts. The current shifts are: Day Shift 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Evening Shift 4:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.; and Night Shift 7:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Shifts are rotated every 6 months. For applicants who have passed the simulation examination and would like to participate in the Police Department Dispatcher observation tour, call the Communication Center Shift Supervisor at (805) 882-8900.

Requirements

Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to learn police and fire radio operations and procedures, local streets, police beats, fire districts, the classifications of crimes and recognition of common police and fire codes in order to obtain information from the public, initiate a response, and accurately record information.
Ability to remember instructions and information.
Ability to clearly and tactfully communicate factual information to citizens.
Ability to question callers while simultaneously typing information into a computer terminal.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relations with those contacted in the course of work.
Skill in operating a computer terminal.
Skill in listening and speaking clearly and responding quickly and accurately to emergency and routine requests for assistance.

Nice To Haves

Spanish-speaking skills
Coursework in criminal justice or communications
Public contact experience

Responsibilities

Answer and process all incoming emergency and non–emergency requests for police, fire, and medical assistance.
Operate a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, video display terminals, and associated equipment.
Evaluate information and create a CAD system incident, or provide information to the caller or transfer the call to the proper emergency service provider.
Analyze situations accurately and take effective action to help assure officer safety.
Monitor and maintain status of assigned public safety personnel and equipment; initiate fire equipment move-ups to ensure adequate citywide fire protection.
Determine nature, priority, and disposition of calls.
Inquire, interpret, verify, receive, and disseminate information from law enforcement computer networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, and vehicle registration.
Provide the public with basic first aid and pre-arrival instructions during medical emergencies following the established Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) protocols.
Perform other duties as required.