Dispatcher I

City of Pleasant Hill; Pleasant Hill (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Pleasant Hill seeks a Dispatcher I for its Police Department to handle incoming calls, prioritize requests, and support police communications. This civilian position works in the Support Services Division performing a variety of clerical duties and may require flexible hours.

Requirements include 2–3 years of general office work with typing 40 wpm, knowledge of business English, and the ability to learn dispatching tasks. Competitive benefits are provided.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of general office work including typing varied materials.
• Type at least 40 wpm net.
• Knowledge of business English and spelling; modern office practices and procedures; record keeping.
• Ability to learn assigned clerical tasks readily and adhere to prescribed routine.
• Write English legibly; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and the public.

Responsibilities

• Answer emergency and non-emergency police-related phone calls and prioritize requests based on available resources.
• Receive radio requests and handle accordingly; type, process and file a wide variety of reports and materials.
• Assist department personnel and the public in person and by phone with record checks and report requests.
• May be assigned to work varying hours, shifts, holidays, weekends and overtime.

Skills

Typing 40 wpm

General office work

Public contact

Clerical tasks

Radio dispatching skills

Tools

Office equipment operation

Job description

A Dispatcher I is a civilian employee of the Police Department who performs a variety of tasks in the Department’s Support Services Division. The Dispatcher I receives incoming calls for police assistance and response; acts as a primary Dispatcher when appropriate; performs a variety of general support duties related to police communications; completes a wide variety of general clerical duties.

Examples of Duties:

The Dispatcher I duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Answer emergency and non-emergency police related phone calls, help prioritize requests for service based upon available resources, receive radio requests and handle accordingly, type, process and file a wide variety of reports and materials including memos, letters, complaints, declarations, warrants, citations, crime and traffic reports. Assists Department personnel and the public in person and by phone performing record checks, collecting fees and mailing requested reports to outside agencies in accordance with established regulations. A Dispatcher I may be assigned to work various hours, shifts, holidays, weekends and overtime.

Typical Qualifications:

A combination of education and work experience including 2-3 years of general office work involving typing of varied materials, public contact, general filing and basic record keeping; type at least 40 wpm net. Knowledge of business English, spelling; modern office practices and procedures; record keeping. Ability to learn assigned clerical tasks readily and to adhere to prescribed routine; write English legibly; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public; type and learn the operation of other standard office equipment; a willingness to work varying shifts; and to learn radio dispatching skills.

Salary & Benefits

The City of Pleasant Hill offers a comprehensive salary and benefits program. For detailed benefit information, please review the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Pleasant Hill Police Association.

• Salary: $6,681 - $8,612 per month.
• Health/Medical Benefit:Choice of coverage with Kaiser or Blue Shield. The City pays 80% of monthly premiums at each coverage level. In lieu of medical coverage, the City will contribute $400 (employee only coverage) or $500 (employee + 1 coverage) or $600 (family coverage) into a MissionSquare 457 deferred compensation plan.
• Dental & Vision: City-paid for employee and eligible dependents.
• CalPERS Retirement: Enrollment in 2% @ 60 (Classic Member) or 2% @ 62 (PEPRA New Member).
• MissionSquare Deferred Compensation & Roth IRA Plans: Voluntary plans available.
• Retiree Health Savings (RHS) Plan: City contributes $100.45 /month.
• Life Insurance: City-paid life insurance coverage ($50,000).
• Long Term Disability: City-paid long-term disability coverage.
• Medicare: Employees contribute 1.45% to Medicare with employer match.
• Flexible Spending Account (Section 125 Plan):Dependent care and out-of-pocket medical costs may be paid on a pre-tax basis.
• ScholarShare 529: College Savings Plan available to all employees.
• Wellness: Program that offers fitness classes, annual health expos, health and nutrition education, as well as a variety of mental health resources.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential and voluntary benefit provided to all employees, includes counseling and referral services.
• Uniform Allowance: $1,136 per year, adjusted annually per cost of living.
• Shift Differential Pay: 5% of the employee’s base hourly wage.
• Educational Degree Incentive: 1.25% AA Degree or 60 semester/90 quarter units; 5% Bachelor’s Degree or 120 semester/180 quarter units; 7.5% MA/MS Degree.
• Educational Expense Reimbursement: City will reimburse for tuition, books and technology upgrades up to $500 per semester or quarter.
• Bilingual Pay: $75/month, eligible employees.
• On Duty Exercise Program: 1 hour per shift.
• Holidays: City recognizes 14 paid holidays per year.
• Sick Leave: Earned at the rate of one day per month, with no maximum accrual.
• Vacation: Earned at the rate of one day per month in the first year, increasing with service years; Lateral accrual rate may include years of service at former agency.
• The City does not participate in Social Security.

Application & Selection Process

Applications are only accepted online. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/pleasanthillca

Typing certification of 40 wpm net (5 minute test taken within the last 12 months) is required.

Certificates will only be accepted from a recognized business, adult school, or employment agency. Online typing test results will not be accepted.

Applications received without a valid typing certificate, or not meeting the minimum words per minute (40 wpm net) will not be considered and applicants will not be contacted to correct the deficiency.

CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. You must ensure complete submission of employment application and typing certificate as recruitment may close at any time.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications may be invited to take an online Dispatcher CrtiCall test and will be notified by email of their scheduled testing date. The most qualified applicants based on background and experience as evidenced by their application, and those with a passing score on the online test, may be invited for an oral board interview, which is weighted 100%. To be placed on an eligibility list, an applicant must receive a passing score of 70 or more from each panel member.

A thorough background check, as well as a physical, including a drug screen, psychological evaluation, and polygraph exam will be conducted on the top candidates prior to appointment consideration. Failure to achieve a qualifying score on any portion of the examination process will eliminate a candidate from further consideration.

Immigration Reform & Control Act

To comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all new employees are required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or authorization to work in the United States on their first day of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Pleasant Hill is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of1990 (ADA), requests for special accommodations during any stage of the examination process should be made in advance to the Human Resources Department.