Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee/Public Safety Communications Specialist - Fire Department

City of San Jose • San Jose, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of San José is seeking to fill positions for Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee and Public Safety Communications Specialist within the San José Fire Department's Fire Communications Division. The Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee is an entry-level training classification designed to develop the necessary skills for public safety dispatching. Trainees receive formal classroom and on-the-job training, including Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) protocols, which are conditions of employment. Upon successful completion of training, trainees are appointed to the Public Safety Radio Dispatcher classification. The Public Safety Communications Specialist is a journey-level classification for public safety call taking, also involving formal classroom and on-the-job training in EMD and EFD protocols. Both roles require availability for various shifts, including weekends, holidays, and nonstandard hours, with potential for mandatory overtime during critical incidents. Wearing a uniform is required for both positions. The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion, and offers reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.

Requirements

• Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee: Successful completion of high school and one year of experience receiving, processing and/or dispatching calls in a radio dispatch or call center OR successful completion of high school and three (3) years of experience working in public contact employment (customer service, call center, or similar with substantial public contact).
• Public Safety Communications Specialist: Completion of high school or equivalent AND one (1) year of experience working in public contact employment (customer service, call center, or similar with substantial public contact).
• Must be available to work the shift schedule assigned by the Department, which may include weekends, holidays, swing, or midnight shifts.
• Must be available for mandatory overtime during critical incidents or to maintain staffing levels.
• Must be able to wear a uniform.
• Must pass an intensive background investigation.
• Must learn to accurately and quickly enter information in the computer system while receiving information via radio and/or telephone.
• Must learn radio codes used in computer-aided dispatch.
• Must retain composure and work accurately under pressure in emergency situations.
• Must read, write, spell, and speak in clear and concise English.
• Must deal tactfully with the public and others.
• Must follow oral and written instructions.
• Must learn and interpret maps.
• Must work in a confined area and wear a radio/telephone headset.

Nice To Haves

• Type Competency in a City approved language other than English is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Answering emergency and non-emergency telephone calls
• Complying with medical and fire call taking and dispatching policies and protocols
• Obtaining information from callers
• Providing emergency instructions over the telephone
• Entering data into the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system
• Dispatching fire and emergency medical personnel and equipment (for Dispatcher role)
• Providing telecommunications systems support (for Dispatcher role)
• Performing other related work as assigned

Benefits

• Paid training beginning on their first day attending the Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee Academy.
• Employee benefits are provided in accordance with the applicable union agreement.
• Shift differential payment of $2.25/hour for swing shift and $2.50/hour for midnight shifts.
• Approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation pay (for Trainee classification).
• Approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation (for Communications Specialist classification).
• A (3.75%) ongoing non-pensionable Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Certification Pay (for Trainee classification).

What This Job Offers

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