Senior Public Safety Dispatcher

City of Sunnyvale•Sunnyvale, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Sunnyvale is accepting applications for a regular, full-time Senior Public Safety Dispatcher to join the Department of Public Safety. This is a supervisory classification responsible for processing emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatching emergency personnel and equipment, and performing related technical tasks. The recruitment process includes a comprehensive background investigation. A complete application packet requires a City of Sunnyvale employment application, supplemental questions, and a typing certificate verifying 35 or more net words per minute.

Requirements

Graduation from high school or tested equivalent
Two years of experience within the last five years performing duties similar to a Public Safety Dispatcher with the City of Sunnyvale.
Knowledge of: Police, fire, medical and/or animal control call processing protocols, dispatching and emergency procedures.
Knowledge of: Principles and practice of supervision, training and performance evaluations.
Knowledge of: Contemporary dispatching technical tools and equipment, such as computer aided dispatching systems.
Knowledge of: Primary roads, streets, highways, major buildings and public facilities within the City limits.
Knowledge of: Methods and techniques for responding to calls for emergency service.
Knowledge of: Office methods, procedures, software and equipment.
Knowledge of: Police and fire codes, including California Penal Code, Vehicle Code and Sunnyvale Municipal Code.
Knowledge of: Proper record-keeping techniques.
Knowledge of: Principles of customer service.
Ability to: Organize, implement and direct public safety dispatching activities.
Ability to: Supervise, direct, coordinate and evaluate the work of subordinate staff; effectively train staff in all aspects of dispatch operations and assist with the development of staff training programs.
Ability to: Operate computer-aided dispatch system with sufficient speed and accuracy to document field activity and create calls for dispatch within response criteria guidelines.
Ability to: Analyze situations accurately and take effective action to assure officer and citizen safety.
Ability to: Accurately enter information into the computer aided dispatch system while simultaneously receiving information by phone or radio.
Ability to: Extract information or data from multiple video terminal displays which dynamically update.
Ability to: Apply Department of Public Safety telephone answering techniques, policies and procedures.
Ability to: Type at a rate of 35 net words per minute.
Ability to: Memorize street names and locations
Ability to: Maintain composure and work effectively under pressure.
Ability to: Operate a computer using word processing and business software and other office equipment.
Ability to: Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to: Work independently and as a member of a team; recognize and set priorities and meet deadlines.
Ability to: Establish and maintain and promote positive and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public.
Ability to: Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
Willingness to: Work any shift, on any day, including irregular hours on short notice.
Willingness to: Wear a uniform.
Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license and a safe driving record, or the ability to provide alternate transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.
Possession of a POST Public Safety Dispatcher certificate within 18 months of appointment.
Completion of Emergency Medical certification course, approved by the National Academy of Emergency Dispatch, within one year of appointment, and subsequent continued maintenance of Emergency Medical Dispatch certification.

Nice To Haves

Previous supervisory or lead-worker experience.

Responsibilities

Recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; establishes schedules and methods for the performance of public safety dispatching duties; implements policies and procedures.
Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises and reviews the work of staff involved in the dispatching of emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
Evaluates operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommends improvements and modifications; prepares various reports on operations and activities.
Participates in the selection of staff; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies.
Provides interpretation of Departmental procedures and policies and provides expertise in the operations of all Public Safety emergency communications equipment.
Controls initial deployment of field units; maintains and records status of field units; and processes and returns status inquiries received from field units.
Coordinates multiple-emergency situations and major incidents and determines priorities on simultaneous emergency calls.
Maintains status of Department personnel and equipment; logs equipment malfunctions; and contacts communications and other maintenance personnel for emergency repair of facilities or equipment.
Answers the telephone and receives 9-1-1, emergency and non-emergency requests for assistance, evaluates the information provided and creates CAD system event, relays information to other jurisdictions or provides pre-arrival and post-dispatch instructions to the caller; processes and prioritizes incoming calls.
Dispatches fire, police, medical and animal control personnel and equipment on both routine and emergency calls utilizing a computer aided dispatch system, multiple video display terminals, radio dispatching consoles and related equipment.
Monitors and maintains status of public safety personnel and equipment; analyzes situations accurately and takes effective action to help ensure officer safety; participates in the reassignment of fire equipment to ensure adequate city-wide fire protection.
Provides Emergency Medical, Fire and/or Police Dispatching Services, including pre-arrival and post dispatch instructions.
Provides operational support for police, fire, and medical operations including warrant checks and confirmations, tow requests, and facilitation of outside agency assistance and mutual aid requests.
Maintains familiarity with major roads, streets, areas, and industrial and public facilities within the city limits.
Maintains records of all calls received and prepares reports of critical incidents; performs routine clerical work associated with the assignment.