Emergency Services Dispatcher I - #23-1882-01

Alameda County; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a full-service law enforcement agency as an Emergency Services Dispatcher I. In this entry-level role, you will receive comprehensive training in public safety and dispatching methods while supporting various emergency services. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the safety of the community by effectively managing emergency calls and coordinating responses. With a supportive work environment and a commitment to professional development, this role is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in public service. If you thrive in dynamic situations and have a passion for helping others, this is the opportunity for you!

Benefits

Medical – HMO & PPO Plans

Dental – HMO & PPO Plans

Vision Insurance

Basic Life Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Retirement Plan

12 Paid Holidays

Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual

Employee Assistance Program

Childcare Resources

Qualifications

• Experience in public contact or clerical work is required.
• Ability to type 40 words per minute and follow instructions.

Responsibilities

• Receive training in public safety and dispatch methods.
• Dispatch personnel for public safety operations.

Skills

Public Safety Knowledge

Communication Skills

Typing Skills

Judgment Under Stress

Record Keeping

Education

Public Safety Dispatch Training Course

General Clerical Experience

Tools

Two-Way Radio

Telephone Communications Equipment

Electronic Data Terminals

Job description

Introduction

THIS IS A NEW CONTINUOUS EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year but can be extended. The upcoming filing deadlines for the 2025 testing cycle are as follows: Tuesday, January 7, 2025; Tuesday, May 6, 2025; Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Applications will only be accepted online. Applications received after the filing deadline will be considered for the next testing cycle. If you have previously applied or started an application for the Emergency Services Dispatcher I, Examination #23-1882-01, please contact the examination analyst, Elaine Lemi, at [e-mail] to reapply. In order to reapply, you must contact the analyst to have your previous application released back to you. DO NOT SUBMIT A DUPLICATE APPLICATION. The scores and dispositions of candidates for this examination will be merged with previous exam participants. If you previously submitted an application and choose to reapply, your new score/disposition will replace your current disposition. If you do not wish to change your score/disposition, you are not required to reapply to this examination. Candidates who received a qualifying score cannot participate in the examination within six (6) months of their disposition notice. Candidates who did not qualify may reapply sixty (60) days from their disposition notice. Candidates who failed any of the exam components (i.e., written, oral exam), may reapply sixty (60) days from the exam date.

DESCRIPTION

ABOUT THE ALAMEDA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE The Alameda County Sheriff's Office is a full-service law enforcement agency accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The Sheriff's Office has a current budget of approximately $600 million and has over 1700 authorized positions, including in excess of 1000 sworn personnel. The agency's Chief Executive Officer is Sheriff / Coroner Yesenia L. Sanchez. The Sheriff of Alameda County is responsible for a vast array of tasks and duties, including: Providing security to the Consolidated Superior Courts; Operating the Coroner’s Bureau; Operating a full-service criminalistics laboratory; Performing Civil Process; Operating the County Jail (Santa Rita); Providing patrol and investigative services to the unincorporated areas of Alameda County; Conducting a basic academy pursuant to Police Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) requirements. For more detailed information about the agency, visit: Alameda County's Sheriff's Office.

THE POSITION Under close supervision, to receive training in public safety, emergency complaint taking and radio dispatching methods and techniques; to dispatch personnel and equipment for one or more public safety operations, including Sheriff's Patrol, Fire, Medical, Animal Control Services and Local Government; and to perform related work as required. This is an entry-level classification in the Dispatcher series which is flexibly staffed to the class of Emergency Services Dispatcher II. Emergency Services Dispatchers I work in the Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Dispatch Center and receive on-the-job training. After satisfactory completion of the training period, employees are expected to qualify for appointment to the next higher class of Emergency Services Dispatcher II.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I Experience: The equivalent of six months of experience in the class of Clerk II or an equivalent or higher level class in the Alameda County classified service. (Experience must have included public contact.) Or II Experience: The equivalent of six months of general clerical experience that involved public contact and completion of a public safety dispatch training course from an accredited school. Or III The equivalent of six months of general dispatching experience (such as ambulance, service vehicles, etc.). Or IV The equivalent of one year of general clerical experience that involved public contact. Special Requirements: 1. Hearing must be normal in each ear. 2. Ability to type 40 words per minute. 3. A thorough background investigation will be made of all prospective candidates including a psychological exam.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies: Knowledge of: The highways, main streets, major buildings and geography of Alameda County; Simple record keeping. Ability to: Read, write and alphabetize; Follow written and oral instructions; Retain oral information; Learn the operation of two-way radio and telephone communications equipment; Speak clearly and concisely in a well-modulated voice; Learn to dispatch public safety equipment in an effective manner; Deal tactfully with the public; React with sound judgment under stress and emergency situations while doing several tasks simultaneously; Learn statutes, rules and regulations applicable to communications; Learn to operate electronic data terminals; Listen and clarify incoming calls to extract pertinent information; Write detailed reports; Condense a message into a clear written passage.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS: 1) A review of applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications for the class will move onto the next examination component. 2) Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications for the position will be invited to take a performance examination which includes a typing test and the CritiCall test. Applicants who pass the CritiCall test will be invited to the oral examination. 3) The oral examination will be weighted as 100% of the applicant's final score. Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion of this examination.

Selection Plan

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency: TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN Deadline for Filing: Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Review of Applications for Minimum Qualifications: Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Typing Test and CritiCall Performance Exam: Friday, January 17, 2025 - Monday, January 27, 2025, 2:00 PM. Oral Examination: Wednesday, February 19, 2025 & Thursday, February 20, 2025.

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. These benefits include but are not limited to: Medical – HMO & PPO Plans; Dental – HMO & PPO Plans; Vision; Basic Life Insurance; Supplemental Life Insurance; County Allowance Credit; Flexible Spending Accounts; Short-Term Disability Insurance; Long-Term Disability Insurance; Voluntary Benefits; Employee Assistance Program; Retirement Plan; Deferred Compensation Plan; 12 paid holidays; Vacation and sick leave accrual; Employee Wellness Program; Childcare Resources.

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @jobaps.com, @acgov.org and [e-mail] as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.