Dispatcher - Lateral (Full-Time/Job Share/Part-Time/Per-Diem)

City of Fountain Valley; Fountain Valley (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at a mid-sized police department in Fountain Valley, where your role as a dispatcher is crucial in ensuring community safety. This position offers an opportunity to engage in emergency response, requiring quick thinking and effective communication. You'll be at the heart of public safety, managing emergency calls, dispatching resources, and maintaining vital records. With a commitment to excellence, this role not only provides a chance to serve the community but also to grow in a supportive environment. If you are looking for a fulfilling career where you can make a real difference, this is the opportunity for you.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Training Opportunities

Flexible Work Hours

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; completion of dispatcher course is mandatory.
• Experience as a dispatcher in a municipal setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receive and process emergency calls for police and fire services.
• Dispatch personnel and equipment to emergency scenes promptly.
• Maintain detailed records of each service request and action taken.

Skills

Emergency Call Processing

Communication Skills

Computer Operation

Judgment in Emergency Situations

Record Keeping

Education

High School Graduation or Equivalent

Public Safety Dispatchers Basic Course

Tools

Dispatch Equipment

Computer Systems

Telephone Systems

Job description

COME BE A PART OF OUR TEAM AND SEE WHAT MAKES FOUNTAIN VALLEY A NICE PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK!

We are hiring for the following positions:

• Full-Time - The City of Fountain Valley offers a competitive and benefits package.
• Job Share - Salary and benefits are prorated on the basis of number of hours scheduled to work.
• Part-Time - This is an at-will, part-time position limited to work no more than 1,000 hours in a fiscal year.
• Per-Diem - This is an on-call, at-will, and non-benefitted position.

THE CITY OF FOUNTAIN VALLEY

The City of Fountain Valley is nestled in the heart of Orange County. With approximately 60,000 residents, we are a mid-sized full service Police Department that proudly serves our wonderful community with courage, duty, and commitment. With City events like our Summerfest and National Night Out, we actively participate alongside community members to build a safe and vibrant City.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Fountain Valley Police Department's mission is to demonstrate the courage to protect life and property in our community. The duty to provide the highest quality of service in a fair, impartial and ethical manner and the commitment to take a leadership role in providing public safety and quality of life in a manner that will preserve the public trust.

CLASS DEFINITION

To perform skilled work in receiving and transmitting police radio and telephone calls, dispatch appropriate personnel and equipment, maintain detailed records of activities in response to each request, and other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This classification requires successful completion of the Public Safety Dispatchers Basic Course. Although work is performed within established policies and procedures, it requires the exercise of sound judgment in emergency situations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

The incumbent works under the general supervision of the Lead Dispatcher or Watch Commander.

JOB DUTIES

• Receive and process emergency calls for police and fire protection services or information; promptly and efficiently dispatch personnel and equipment to accident, rescue, and emergency scenes.
• Analyze requests for police service; determine priority ranking of each request and the kind and level of service to be dispatched in initial response; and determine available units to dispatch.
• Listen to each radio transmission from police personnel in the field; acknowledge and comply with request for action or information.
• Maintain awareness of position of each police unit and activities in which personnel are engaged; check periodically with personnel to verify position and activity; supply back-up personnel; and take other appropriate steps to provide for the safety of field personnel.
• Maintain detailed records of each service request, each action taken, and the time each action was taken.
• Operate dispatch equipment and computer equipment.
• Input and retrieve a variety of public safety information using a computer; enter, update, and retrieve information regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, and other information.
• Notify ambulance personnel, alarm company, traffic and signal maintenance, and other related personnel concerning emergencies.
• Maintain knowledge of the geography, street locations, and landmarks in the City and a general knowledge of the geography and landmarks of surrounding cities.

OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES

• Assist in training new personnel in the operations of the Dispatch Center.
• Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, and other general clerical duties.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Successful completion of the Public Safety Dispatchers Basic Course is required.

EXPERIENCE:

• Successful completion of probation as a Dispatcher in a municipal setting.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• The proper operation of telephone, voice radio, and burglar alarm reception equipment.
• The proper operation of computer, speed dialer, dictaphone/tape recorder, and teletype machines.
• The geography of the City and location of streets and important buildings.
• State mandated data bases including driver's license, vehicle registration, warrants, and restraining orders.
• Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

REQUISITE ABILITIES:

• Analyze situations and adopt quick, effective courses of action in emergency situations, in accordance with established rules and regulations.
• Speak clearly, in a well-modulated voice, and use proper diction.
• Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
• Follow oral and written instructions and carry out assignments with minimal supervision.
• Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, City officials, and the public.
• Maintain the security of criminal offender and other confidential information.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work evenings, holidays, weekends, irregular hours, and variable shifts.
• Ability to work closely with others and in confined spaces, around electrical energy.
• Normal vision and hearing acuity.

PHYSICAL TASKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Work is primarily performed in an office environment requiring prolonged sitting; walking, kneeling, crouching, squatting, stooping, bending, leaning, and twisting; operate a computer terminal, telephone and dispatch equipment; exposure to computer glare, vibrations, and pitch; ability to lift, carry, and move objects totaling approximately 15 pounds in weight; and have mobility, vision, hearing, and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.

NOTE:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT DESIGNATION:

Non-Exempt

This recruitment is open continuous and may close at any time upon receiving enough qualified applicants without prior notice. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.

This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies and an eligibility list will be established to fill future vacancies for full-time, job share, part-time, and per diem positions.

The selection process may include but is not limited to: application review and evaluation, written examination, practical skills test, and oral 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 completing all components of the pre-employment process which may include but is not limited to: reference check, background investigation, credit check, California Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprinting), polygraph, post-offer psychological, post-offer drug test and post-offer medical examination. The specific selection process will vary based upon the position. Candidates must fill out the application and supplemental questions completely. Incomplete applications including references to see the resume for qualifications are incomplete and will be disqualified. Candidates are encouraged to provide accurate answers as the City will verify the qualifications for each candidate.

The City of Fountain Valley is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations 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 72 hours in advance of the test date.

Note: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained within may be modified or revoked without notice.