Public Safety Dispatcher - Intermediate/Advanced

City of Chico•Chico, CA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Chico Police Department is recruiting to fill 7 positions in their Dispatch department. This role serves as the first point of contact, connecting citizens with emergency services. Under general supervision, incumbents operate a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), perform clerical work related to public safety records and operations, and may provide training and task supervision to others. The position requires operating complex emergency communications equipment, dispatching law enforcement and/or fire/medical resources, and handling emergency situations independently within established policies. The salary range for Intermediate to Advanced is $30.30 - $43.64 per hour ($63,024.00 - $90,771.20 annually), with potential to earn up to $95,309.76 annually based on POST certificate eligibility and shift differential. Additional incentives include 5% bilingual pay and 7.5% training pay. The department offers a generous time off package, 4/10 & 3/12 schedule options, an on-site gym, and a wellness program.

Requirements

Knowledge of geographic features, landmarks, and streets of the City of Chico and surrounding jurisdictional boundaries.
Knowledge of correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Knowledge of effective public safety dispatching methods.
Knowledge of Police and fire department operations, policies and procedures, and records management requirements.
Ability to type a minimum of 45 words per minute.
Ability to operate computerized telephone and computerized radio communications equipment and computer-aided dispatch system.
Ability to use standard broadcasting procedures and rules.
Ability to correctly use public safety classification codes and basic provisions of the California Vehicle and Penal Codes.
Ability to speak clearly and precisely.
Ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
Ability to think and react quickly using logic and reasoning to achieve conclusions, effectively communicate with and elicit information from citizens faced with emergency situations.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and critical thinking skills.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Ability to comprehend and make inferences from written materials.
Ability to handle simultaneous events effectively.
Ability to handle confidential matters with a high degree of discretion.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with fellow employees, representatives from other departments, and supervisory personnel.
High school graduation or equivalent.
Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic Public Safety Dispatcher certificate.
Minimum of two years’ experience at a level equivalent to City of Chico Public Safety Dispatcher – Entry.
Possession of a valid California Driver License.

Nice To Haves

If an internal career ladder promotion, successful completion of the City of Chico Dispatch Training program.

Responsibilities

Receive, analyze, and prioritize incoming emergency calls from the public requesting police, fire or other emergency assistance.
Maintain citizen confidentiality, as required.
Determine nature and location of emergency, determine priorities, and dispatch via computer-aided dispatch system police, fire, medical, or other emergency services as necessary and in accordance with established procedures.
Maintain contact with all units on assignment.
Communicate with persons in crisis, including persons in altered states such as intoxication or under the influence of drugs.
Ask and respond to questions; interpret and anticipate callers situation.
Maintain status and location of police and fire units.
May be required to testify in court.
Answer non-emergency calls for assistance.
Call out City maintenance workers and/or IS staff for maintenance emergencies.
Enter, update, and retrieve information from a variety of computer systems and databases.
Receive requests for information from computer systems and provide pertinent data.
Monitor several complex public safety radio frequencies.
Operate a variety of communications equipment including computerized radio consoles, telephones, and computer equipment.
Process a wide variety of public safety records, files, logs, reports, and forms.
Monitor all facility cameras.
May assist in the training of less experienced personnel.
Operate office equipment.
Identifies problems and solutions and makes suggestions and recommendations regarding changes in procedure and policy.
Perform related duties as assigned.