Dispatcher II (Lateral)

City-of-Sacrament; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Sacramento is seeking a Public Safety Dispatcher II in the Police Department. You will receive emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatch units, maintain radio contact, and coordinate information with other agencies.

Candidates must have passed CritiCall, experience as a dispatcher, meet background checks, and complete probationary requirements. A high school diploma with college units and California POST coursework are required.

Qualifications

• Must have passed the Dispatcher CritiCall examination.
• Experience as a law enforcement Dispatcher in a Public Safety Dispatch Center.
• Background investigation including criminal history check, fingerprinting, polygraph, psychological test, credit check, and drug history.

Responsibilities

• Receive emergency and non-emergency calls; determine priority; dispatch units.
• Maintain radio contact with all units on assignment.
• Coordinate calls and relay information with other agencies.
• Query information from law enforcement networks; enter vehicle information.
• Prepare reports related to communications and police activities.
• Demonstrate professionalism and provide excellent customer service.

Skills

Dispatcher experience

CritiCall familiarity

Communication skills

Typing speed 40 wpm

Education

High school diploma or GED + 12 college units

Tools

CAD system

Radio/telephone equipment

Job description

You must have taken and passed the Dispatcher CritiCall examination for further consideration.

You must have experience as a law enforcement Dispatcher in a Public Safety Dispatch Center to qualify for this position. Please review "Qualifications - Lateral Entry" within this job announcement before applying for this position

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.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by a 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.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower class of Dispatcher I. Appointment at the higher class requires that the employee be performing the full range of duties assigned to the class. Work in this class is distinguished from that of the Dispatcher I class by the greater independence with which an incumbent is expected to operate. Dispatcher II is a journey-level classification and incumbents are expected to perform the full range of duties of Dispatcher without direct supervision.

SEE LATERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge of:

• English grammar, usage, spelling and punctuation.
• Standard radio broadcasting procedures and rules.

ABILITY TO

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 words per minute.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Education:

High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent AND completion of twelve (12) units from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

Successful completion of the probationary period as a Dispatcher I with the City of Sacramento.

Substitution:

High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent an additional four (4) years of customer service experience may substitute for the required education.

LATERAL ENTRY:

(1) Two years of experience as a dispatcher working with law enforcement agencies where duties included answering telephone calls and radio dispatching, which must include six months of experience within the last six months. (2) Successful completion of the California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course within twelve (12) months of appointment.

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 hired as a lateral entry must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

Eligibility

Candidates who pass the online 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 CritiCall test and have active eligibility. You will maintain eligibility for one year from the date of notification of a passing score on the CritiCall examination.

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]