Dispatcher I (Dispatcher Recruit)

City-of-Sacrament; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

City-of-Sacrament seeks an entry-level Dispatcher Recruit who will undergo seven weeks of training at the Dispatcher Training Academy and progress to Dispatcher I upon graduation. Candidates must pass a comprehensive background check and related security screenings.

Primary duties include handling 911 and non-emergency calls, coordinating with multiple agencies, and maintaining CAD records. Strong English communication and poise under pressure are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED plus 12 college units required.
• One year of customer service experience and completion of the Sacramento Police Department's Basic Dispatch Academy within the last twelve months.
• -OR- High school diploma or GED plus four years of customer service experience and completion of the Academy within the last twelve months.

Responsibilities

• Receive emergency and non-emergency calls from the public; dispatch units as needed.
• Maintain radio contact with all units on assignment.
• Coordinate emergency calls and relay information with other law enforcement and firefighting agencies.
• Query information from law enforcement networks for wanted persons, criminal history, stolen property, and DMV information.
• Query and enter stolen, stored, and repossessed vehicle information.
• Perform records keeping duties related to the CAD system.
• Test and inspect equipment as required; testify in court as needed.
• Prepare written responses or reports related to complaints or investigations.
• Write daily progress reports when training a new Dispatcher.

Skills

English communication

Calm under pressure

Independent judgment

Computer skills

Court testimony

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or GED

12 college units

Tools

CAD system

Radio equipment

Job description

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.

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

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.

• 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.

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.

Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e‑mail address on your application, and check your e‑mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e‑mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

4. Eligibility:

Candidates who pass the online Dispatcher CritiCall examination, submit a valid employment application, and meet the qualification standards will be forwarded to the department for further consideration. You are not required to re-apply or re-take the exam for this position if you have successfully passed the Dispatcher CritiCall test and have active eligibility. You will maintain eligibility for one year from the date of notification of a passing score on the Dispatcher CritiCall examination.

5. Background Process:

If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a background investigation, which includes a criminal history check, fingerprinting, polygraph test, psychological test, credit check, and drug use history.

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]