Communications Dispatcher Lateral

City of Redondo Beach; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team as a Communications Dispatcher in a vibrant city near the beach! This role offers the chance to make a real impact in public safety, handling urgent calls and dispatching emergency services. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills and the ability to thrive under pressure. With a focus on teamwork and community service, this position is perfect for those looking to contribute to the safety and well-being of the community. Enjoy a rewarding career in a supportive environment that values integrity and excellence.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Training and Development

Flexible Schedule

Qualifications

• Must have current P.O.S.T. Dispatcher Certification or equivalent.
• At least 2 years of public safety dispatcher experience required.

Responsibilities

• Dispatch Police, Fire, and emergency services efficiently.
• Maintain communication with field personnel and manage incident priorities.

Skills

Communication Skills

Multi-tasking

Stress Management

Decision Making

Typing (45 WPM)

Education

High School Diploma or G.E.D.

California Certified Dispatcher School

Tools

Computer Aided Dispatch System

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The City of Redondo Beach Police Department is looking for experienced Communications Dispatchers to join our highly-skilled team. Use your skills to work for a full-service City near the beach in the beautiful South Bay of Los Angeles!

Candidates with a current P.O.S.T. Dispatcher Certification, or equivalent, and at least 2 years of public safety dispatcher experience are invited to apply. Only applicants that meet the minimum requirements and attach a copy of their P.O.S.T. Dispatcher Certification, or equivalent certification, will be contacted and given further consideration. If you do not meet these requirements, please review our Communications Dispatcher Trainee job post to see if you are interested in that role.

Successful candidates will also demonstrate the ability to work well under pressure and during periods of high stress, be capable of multi-tasking, and function productively in a fast-paced environment. The ability and/or willingness to work overtime if requested is also desired.

This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time. Prompt application is highly encouraged.

Under the direction of the Police Chief and supervisors, the Communications Dispatcher Lateral position performs in a training or solo capacity to dispatch Police, Fire, and emergency medical services and personnel and responds to both urgent and non-emergency complaints and calls for service in the City's Communication Center; performs work under general instructions, but with established policies, procedures and precedents as guides; and performs related duties as required to achieve successful results in support of the City's mission, goals, policies and objectives.

This position is accountable to perform as a team member to assist with operational and support duties and services including but not limited to:

• Receiving, updating and reviewing police, fire, and emergency medical service calls and status of rescue units; prioritizing incidents and radio traffic; dispatching the appropriate police, fire, or rescue units in accordance with established operational guidelines.
• Broadcasting information over radio or phone lines and entering call information into the computer aided dispatch system chronologically; transmitting messages to the appropriate station or location directing unit(s) to respond to calls; announcing information over station paging systems and via radio frequency; maintaining direct contact with field personnel; updating responding unit status, as necessary.
• Receiving calls for service from the public and private alarm systems; determining the nature of the complaints, alarms, or codes for computer input; recording the type of incident, locations, and other details; inputting the information into the computer to be routed to the appropriate Police or Fire dispatcher.
• Working shifts and irregular hours including days, evenings, nights, overtime and including weekends and holidays; may be called back for major emergencies, disasters, and critical incidents.
• Working in an environment that requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time, read color coded displays; use a computer terminal for extended periods; hear sufficiently to accurately and completely obtain information from callers; and communicate clearly to effectively dispatch information over the radio/communication system. Frequent lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds may be required.
• Providing outstanding internal and external customer service, communicating effectively with the public and fellow employees, solving problems and proactively creating sustainable solutions to issues.
• Conducting duties, responsibilities, tasks and assignments with a constructive, cooperative, positive, professional attitude and demeanor.
• Supporting the City's mission, goals, policies and objectives.
• Supporting the City's corporate values of: Openness and honesty; integrity and ethics; accountability; outstanding customer service; teamwork; excellence; and fiscal responsibility.
• Performing other related duties as required.

The position requires the ability to:

• Work shifts, weekends and/or holidays
• Spell and use correct grammar
• Type a minimum of 45 words per minute
• Follow oral and written directions and understand and follow complex written rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Memorize and use crime, phonetic alphabetical and computer codes
• React quickly, efficiently and calmly in emergency situations
• Maintain effective working relationships with others
• Communicate effectively and professionally on the phone and radio

Qualified Applicants must:

• Possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.
• Be a minimum age of 18 years at the time of appointment.
  • Additional college credits and bilingual skills are desirable.
• Possess a minimum of two (2) years as a public safety Communications Dispatcher with computer-aided dispatch experience.
  • Applicants will be required to successfully complete position-appropriate testing simulating the emergency services job.
• Have completed and passed a California Certified Dispatcher School and hold a current P.O.S.T Dispatcher Certification, or hold recognized equivalent certification of a State or Municipal Agency.
  • A copy of your current P.O.S.T. Certification must be included with your application.
• Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification must be obtained within 12 months of appointment to this classification.

Other expected competencies:
The position requires computer literacy with knowledge in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel and the ability to learn the efficient use of the department's computer aided dispatch and Records Management Systems, State, County and local computer databases and other computer systems. Also required is the ability to communicate using email programs and to understand and adhere to City policies for information technology.

The position's expected competencies are to provide sound decision making skills and critical thinking to professional recommendations, decisions and completed staff work. The position also requires the initiative to achieve positive, timely results for the organization while maintaining interpersonal relationships, customer service, diplomatic skills and ethical conduct.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 12 months

CLASSIFICATION: This position is covered under FLSA standards for overtime and is a member of the classified service.

SELECTION PROCESS:

The selection process may include but is not limited to: Application review and evaluation, written examination, performance test and interview. All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully passing all components of the pre-employment process. The pre-employment process may include but not be limited to: Reference checks, background investigation, fingerprint-based criminal history check, credit check, degree verification, and post-offer medical examination and drug test. For public safety positions, including positions based in the Police and/or Fire Department(s), the pre-employment process may also include but not be limited to a P.O.S.T. compliant background check, polygraph examination, post-offer medical examination and drug test, and post-offer psychological examination.

Candidates must fill out the employment application and supplemental questions completely and accurately. Required fields and supplemental questions are noted with an asterisk (*). All other fields are optional. Applications including references to "see resume" are considered incomplete and will be disqualified.

The City of Redondo Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Candidates with a disability who may need accommodation during the selection process must notify the Human Resources Department at least five (5) business days in advance of the test date.

Qualified Military Veterans are given an additional five points to a passing score for both open-competitive and promotional recruitments. Documentation of such service, such as a veteran identification card, must be provided along with the application for employment or before the conclusion of the testing process.