Dispatcher I (Dispatcher Recruit)

City of Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual pay

Job summary

City of Sacramento seeks an entry-level Dispatcher Recruit to join the Public Safety Communications team. After seven weeks of academy training, recruits advance to Dispatcher I upon graduation and continued development.

The role requires handling emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatching units, and maintaining radio communications. Candidates must pass a background check and related evaluations.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or GED with 12 college units or equivalent.
• One year of customer service experience and completion of the Sacramento Police Department's Basic Dispatch Academy within the last 12 months.
• Alternate: four years of customer service experience with completion of the Academy within the last 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Receive emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch police units as needed.
• Maintain radio contact with units on assignment.
• Coordinate calls with other agencies and relay information.
• Enter and query information in CAD and related systems.
• Prepare written reports on communications and investigations.

Skills

Customer service

Public speaking/communication

Typing 40 wpm

Data entry

Education

High school diploma or GED

12 college units completed

Sacramento Police Basic Dispatch Academy (within 12 months)

Job description

THE POSITION

You must have taken and passed the Dispatcher CritiCall examination for further consideration. To take the examination, click here.

Please Note: a candidate must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, psychological test, credit check, and a drug use history to be considered for this position.

Dispatcher Recruit Classification Specification

Applicants applying to this posting will be hired as a Dispatcher Recruit and must successfully complete a seven (7) week Dispatcher Training Academy. Upon satisfactory graduation from a Dispatcher Training Academy, a Dispatcher Recruit meeting the requirements of the Dispatcher I classification shall be advanced to the career classification of Dispatcher I. For more information regarding the Dispatcher Recruit position, please visit the following link:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/saccity/classspecs/33387?keywords=dispatcher%20recruit&pagetype=classSpecifications

To receive incoming telephone calls and dispatch police units as necessary for assistance; perform a variety of general support duties related to communications activities.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is an entry level class in the Dispatcher series. Incumbents of this class are trained in department policies, procedures and systems through on-the-job training. Generally, work is observed and reviewed both during performance and upon completion. Dispatcher Recruit is distinguished from the Dispatcher I classification in that it is a training classification.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Immediate supervision is provided by a Dispatcher III. Technical or functional supervision may be provided by a Dispatcher II or Dispatcher III.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Receive emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from the public requesting police, fire, and local government service; determine nature and priority; dispatch units as necessary; and/or refer or transfer callers to ensure excellent customer service.
• Maintain radio contact with all units on assignment.
• Coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement and firefighting agencies.
• Query information from law enforcement communication networks relating to wanted persons, criminal history, stolen property, and Department of Motor Vehicle information.
• Query and enter stolen, stored, and repossessed vehicle information.
• Perform a variety of records keeping duties related to the computer aided dispatch system.
• Test and inspect equipment as required.
• Testify in court as needed.
• Prepare written responses or reports related to communication complaints, investigative follow-ups or police reports.
• Write daily work progress reports when training a new Dispatcher.
• Demonstrate professionalism, courtesy, empathy, and excellent customer service in accordance with departmental policy and the community-oriented policing concept.
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• English grammar, usage, spelling and punctuation.

Ability To

• Express themselves in English in a clear, distinct, and understandable manner when speaking to individuals, before diverse populations, various public and community groups, and when testifying in court.
• Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
• Work under pressure and exercise good judgment in emergency situations.
• Exercise independent judgment and work with a minimum of supervision.
• Use a computer and keyboard to enter data provided verbally and in writing.
• Learn standard broadcasting rules and procedures.
• Learn City street system and physical layout of Sacramento.
• Understand and comply with oral and written directions.
• Learn to operate computer-aided dispatch, telephone, and radio broadcasting equipment.
• Value customers and co-workers through provision of excellent customer service.
• Operate office machines and equipment.
• Type 40 net wpm.

Experience And Education

High school diploma or GED equivalent and completion of twelve (12) units from an accredited college or university.

AND

One (1) year of customer service experience and successful completion of the Sacramento Police Department's Basic Dispatch Academy within the last twelve (12) months.

-OR-

High school diploma or GED equivalent

AND

Four (4) years of customer service experience and successful completion of the Sacramento Police Department's Basic Dispatch Academy within the last twelve (12) months.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

Probationary Period

Employees must complete eighteen (18) months of probation at a satisfactory performance.

Bilingual Pay

Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act

The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information

Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf

Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html

Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf

QUESTIONS

For questions concerning Drug Use Standards or the Background process:

• Visit the Police Department web site at http://www.sacpd.org/ OR;
• Call the Police Recruiting Office at [phone] OR;
• Send an email to [e-mail]

For questions concerning the Sacramento Police Department's Public Safety Communications Academy:

• Call the Sacramento Police Department's Public Safety Communications Academy at [phone].

For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Application Support at 855-524-5627.
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment;
• Send an email to [e-mail]; or
• Call the Human Resources Department at [phone]