Communications Dispatcher Trainee

Redondo Beach, California; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at an innovative public service agency as a Communications Dispatcher Trainee. This role offers a unique opportunity to support emergency services while developing essential skills in a fast-paced environment. You'll be responsible for dispatching police, fire, and medical services, ensuring the safety of the community. Ideal candidates will thrive under pressure, possess strong communication abilities, and demonstrate a commitment to outstanding customer service. This position not only provides a pathway to a rewarding career but also offers the chance to make a meaningful impact in public safety. Don't miss your chance to be part of this vital mission!

Qualifications

• Ability to work under pressure and multi-task effectively.
• Must type a minimum of 45 words per minute and follow complex directions.

Responsibilities

• Dispatch police, fire, and medical services while prioritizing incidents.
• Provide excellent customer service and maintain effective communication.

Skills

Multi-tasking

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Decision Making

Education

High School Diploma or G.E.D.

Additional College Credits

Tools

Computer Aided Dispatch System

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The City of Redondo Beach Police Department is looking for dedicated individuals ready to begin their career in public service emergency dispatch!
Under the direction of the Police Chief and supervisors, Communications Dispatcher Trainees perform in a training capacity to dispatch Police, Fire and emergency medical services and to receive complaints and calls for service in the City's Communication Center. This position 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.

Successful candidates will 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 nights, weekends, holidays, and/or overtime if requested is also desired.
Communications Dispatcher Trainees receive a flat rate of pay during training. Candidates who successfully complete training will then become Communications Dispatchers and will follow the pay scale for that classification.
Testing takes place on a rolling basis. Applicants will only receive notices via e-mail. Status updates will only be provided when testing is taking place.

This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time. Prompt application is strongly recommended since this post may close at any time with or without notification.

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 in a training capacity.
• 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 in a training capacity.
• 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 in a training capacity.
• 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 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 and regulations and policies and procedures. Also needed is the ability to memorize and use crime, phonetic alphabetical and computer codes, react quickly, efficiently and calmly in emergency situations, maintain effective working relationships with others and communicate effectively and professionally on the phone and radio.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Requires possession of a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent and the minimum age of 18 years at time of appointment.
  • Additional college credits and bilingual skills are desirable.
• One (1) year of experience as an Emergency Services Dispatcher with a public safety Computer Aided Dispatching system is desirable.
• Applicants are required to pass a California Certified Dispatcher School within 18 months of appointment.
• Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification must be obtained within 12 months of appointment to this classification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Computer literacy with knowledge in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• 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.
• Ability to communicate using email programs and to understand and adhere to city policies for information technology.

EXPECTED COMPETENCIES

• Provide sound decision-making skills and critical thinking to professional recommendations, decisions and completed staff work.
• Requires the initiative to achieve positive, timely results for the organization while maintaining interpersonal, customer service, diplomatic skills and ethical conduct.

The position requires meeting the physical employment standards for the classification.
TEST PROCESS:
Candidates may be required to successfully complete and pass a combination of the following examinations prior to being placed on the Eligible List:

• Screening for Minimum Qualifications
  • Applications are generally reviewed once per week. If your application meets the minimum requirements, you will receive more detailed test instructions via e-mail.
• Online and/or Written Exam:
  • Completion of the National Testing Network (NTN) Emergency Communications Operator (ECOMM) exam is required.
    • Applicants who took the POST Entry Level Dispatcher Exam anytime on or after 1/1/2024 and received an overall t-score of 49.00 or higher may submit proof of the t-score received. Once proof the score received is verified, you will not be required to take the NTN exam.
• Oral Panel Interview

Eligible Lists may be valid for up to one year from the date established. Candidates may be contacted from the Eligible List on a timeline at the hiring department's discretion. Once selected from the Eligible List, candidates will be required to complete a full background investigation prior to beginning employment, which may take up to three (3) months. Due to the volume of candidates who may place on an Eligible List, it is possible that not all candidates will be contacted.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 12 months

CLASSIFICATION: This position is covered under FLSA standards for overtime and is a member of the classified service.
VETERAN PREFERENCE POINTS: Qualified Military Veterans are given an additional five (5) 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.

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.