Communications Dispatcher, Academy Graduate & Academy Attendee

City of South San Francisco; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS retirement plan

Social Security participation

Job summary

City of South San Francisco seeks a Communications Dispatcher for graduates of the POST Academy and academy attendees. The role handles routine and emergency calls, coordinating police, fire, and municipal resources in a high‑pressure environment.

Applicants must meet POST certification or enrollment requirements and submit all required documents. Training and a comprehensive benefit package are provided by the City.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• POST Basic Dispatch Certificate attached to application.
• POST Academy enrollment verification for attendees.
• One year of work experience with public contact.
• Ability to work under pressure and independently.

Responsibilities

• Receive and transmit routine and emergency calls via telephone and radio.
• Dispatch and coordinate police, fire, and other municipal staff and equipment.
• Maintain and process communications reports and radio logs.
• Submit required documents and participate in testing and selection processes.

Skills

Public safety communications

Radio dispatch

Decision making under pressure

Team player

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

POST Academy Graduate certificate

POST Academy Attendee verification

Job description

Applications are being accepted for the position ofCommunications Dispatcher – Academy Graduate & Academy Attendeewith the South San Francisco Police Department.

Please note: This job posting is for academy graduate & academy attendees and NOT entry-level or lateral transfer applicants.

CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT

As a continuous recruitment, please ensure timely and complete submission of employment application and supporting documents. This recruitment is to establish an eligible list for current and future vacancies.

THE CITY OFFERS AN ATTRACTIVE BENEFIT PACKAGE, AS WELL AS CALPERS RETIREMENT PLAN AND SOCIAL SECURITY PARTICIPATION.

THE DEPARTMENT:

The City of South San Francisco has 83 sworn and 35 civilian positions. The Department’s philosophy is one of participative management, with a high degree of emphasis on training and education. It employs team and community-oriented policing and problem‑solving concepts and recognizes the importance of staying contemporary with technological advances. The Department acknowledges that the responsibility for public safety and the quality of life in our neighborhood is a responsibility share with the whole community.

A new state‑of‑the‑art Police Department building and 9-1-1 Communications Center has opened at 1 Chestnut Avenue. The new Police Building includes a large training room for defensive tactics, a dedicated indoor firearms range, and progressive construction incorporating the latest in Police Station design concepts. The 9-1-1 Communications center will have the latest communications and dispatching technologies to provide improved service and response to South San Francisco residents.

SSFPD Recruitment Video

THE POSITION:

Under general supervision, receives and transmits routine and emergency telephone and radio traffic; dispatches and coordinates police, fire, public works, and other municipal staff and equipment via multifrequency two‑way radio; maintains and processes a variety of communications reports, records, and radio logs; and does related work as required.

Ideal Candidate

An ideal candidate has the ability to independently identify and act on issues that affect the communications center; demonstrates good decision‑making skills under pressure; works well with a minimum of direct supervision; interprets and executes the organization’s philosophy, policies, and procedures; and, is a team‑player with a positive and enthusiastic work ethic.

Experience

One year of work experience requiring maturity and responsibility involving some public contact.

Training

High school graduate or equivalent.

POST Academy Graduate

Basic dispatch certificate from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) issued within 3 years immediately preceding application submission (copy of California POST Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Certificate must be attached to application).

POST Academy Attendee

Currently enrolled in a POST Basic Academy as a “non-affiliate”. (Letter from academy verifying current enrollment must be attached to application).

THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

To be considered, applicants must submit the followingREQUIRED items:

• City application
• POST Academy Graduate: Must attach basic dispatch certificate from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) issued within 3 years immediately preceding application submission.
• POST Academy Attendee: Must attach letter from academy as verification of enrollment in a POST Basic Academy as a “non-affiliate”

NOTE:

Applications must be completed in full. All work experience, and education or training must be listed directly on the City application. Applications that state “See Resume” or omit required information will be considered incomplete and subject to disqualification. Resumes may be attached separately; however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City application. Only application materials and documents that are specifically required within this job announcement will be reviewed as part of the application process.

THE SELECTION PROCESS:

The Examination Process will consist of the following independent parts:

1. 1. Examination process will first consist of a review of application materials including a copy of the California Basic POST Dispatcher certificate from the academy OR academy enrollment verification.
2. 2. The most suitable and qualified candidates willreceive via e-mail a Personal HistoryStatement (PHS)to complete and return.
3. 3.Based on review of the PHS, candidate may be scheduled for an oral interview examination.
4. 4.Upon successful completion of the oral interview examination, an eligible list will be established which will be used for the appointment to the position.

Before a conditional employment offer is made, candidates must take a polygraph examination. If successful, a conditional employment offer is made and candidates are then required to successfully pass a psychological evaluation and medical examination, a drug screen, personal interviews, background investigation, fingerprinting, and must be able to furnish proof of legal right to work in the United States. The process will end with the Chief of Police or his designee’s interview. The City’s standards must be met before the final appointment is made.

To review complete job descriptions which include all special requirements, go to www.ssf.net

Special Instructions

Prior to appointment, candidates will be required to submit to any or all of the following (as applicable):

1. SSF Background Check
2. Police Department Background Check
3. Pre-Employment Medical Examinationand Drug Screen

A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. Determinations are made on a case‑by‑case basis with consideration given to the nature and recency of the conviction and relationship to job duties. All City standards must be met before the final appointment is made.

Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the recruitment process should advise the Human Resources Department upon submittal of application.

Candidates requesting veteran’s preference must provide a copy of U.S. Government DD Form 214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" as an attachment to their CalOpps application.

The policy of the City of South San Francisco is to grant equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or national origin. It is the intent and desire of the City of South San Francisco that equal employment opportunity will be provided in recruiting, hiring, training, promoting, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The City of South San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

DISCLAIMER

This general announcement does not constitute an express or implied contract and is subject to change. Any provisions contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Recruitment Contact

Contact phone:

[phone]

Contact email:

[e-mail]