Lateral Police Dispatcher

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART); California (MO); On-site; USD 63,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

The BART Police Department is seeking experienced Police Dispatchers to join a 24/7 public safety communications center. The dispatcher will receive 911 and non-emergency calls, prioritize incidents, dispatch patrol units, and coordinate with other agencies to support emergency responses across BART stations, trains, and facilities.

Candidates must meet MQs, be able to type 40 net wpm, work varied shifts including weekends/holidays, and pass extensive background checks and medical evaluations.

Qualifications

• Possession of a high school diploma, GED or recognized equivalent.
• Completion of the Police Dispatcher Trainee program or two years of verifiable journey-level safety dispatching experience.
• Must pass POST background investigation and pre-employment medical examination.

Responsibilities

• Receive and prioritize 911 and non-emergency calls.
• Dispatch patrol units and police personnel to incidents.
• Access police information and assist in processing warrants.
• Provide radio assistance and information to officers.
• Coordinate emergency response with other agencies.
• Maintain service records and logs.
• Coordinate with central control for emergencies.
• Provide information to patrons and open records as needed.
• Perform clerical duties including data entry.

Skills

Strong communication

Decision-making

Multitasking

Technical proficiency

Attention to detail

Calm under pressure

Education

High school diploma or GED

Police Dispatcher Trainee program or journeylevel experience

Tools

Dispatch software

Radio systems

Law enforcement databases

Job description

Salary Information

This position is represented by the BART Police Officers Association (BPOA).

$46.399/ Hourly (Step 1) - $50.292/ Hourly (Step 3) (Note: External candidates will start at step 1.)

Who May Apply

All current BART employees and qualified individuals who are not yet BART employees.

Reports To

Police Communications Manager

Days Off

As assigned. Must be willing to work various shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

Department

BART Police Department is a progressive agency and has been on the forefront – and in some cases the model approach to training in the areas of fair and impartial policing, bias-based policing, crisis intervention, cultural competence training, and de-escalation training. The mission of the BART Police Department is to ensure a safe environment within our transit system, reduce crime through a highly visible police presence, and proactive enforcement of the law, and to promote public confidence by working in partnership with our stakeholders and the communities we serve.

Current Assignment

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Police Department is seeking experienced, highly skilled, calm-under-pressure, and service-oriented individuals to join our team as Police Dispatchers. Working in a fast-paced, 24/7 public safety communications center, the incumbent will receive and prioritize incoming 911 emergency and non-emergency telephone calls and operate radio systems to dispatch patrol units and other police personnel to crime scenes, service calls, and transit-system emergencies. Dispatchers ensure accurate and timely information flow, maintain situational awareness, and support officers responding to a broad range of incidents, including safety hazards, quality-of-life concerns, medical emergencies, and criminal activity affecting BART’s stations, trains, and facilities.

The most qualified candidates for this position will have highly developed competencies in the following areas, which will be reinforced with related work experience and will be clearly articulated during the selection process:

• Strong Communication Skills – Ability to clearly and effectively communicate under pressure, both verbally and in writing, to relay information to officers, the public, and other agencies.
• Decision-Making and Problem-Solving – Quick-thinking and sound judgment in fast-paced, high-stress situations to prioritize and dispatch resources appropriately.
• Multitasking Ability – Capable of handling multiple tasks simultaneously, such as answering calls, operating radio systems, and inputting data into computers, while maintaining accuracy.
• Technical Proficiency – Skilled in operating dispatch software, radio systems, and law-enforcement databases; familiarity with emergency communication systems is essential.
• Attention to Detail – Ability to accurately process and document critical information, ensuring nothing is missed during high-stress situations.
• Calmness Under Pressure – Ability to stay composed in emergencies, managing stress while maintaining control of the situation.

Selection & Application Process

The selection process for this position will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement and may include one or more of the following: a skills or performance demonstration, written examination, and/or panel or individual interview.

All applications will be reviewed by the Talent Acquisition Division to determine whether applicants meet the established Minimum Qualifications (MQs). Applicants who meet the MQs may be referred to the hiring department for further evaluation as part of the selection process.

The selection process for the Lateral Police Dispatcher will include 5 phases:

• Phase 1: Background Pre-Screening
• Phase 2: Minimum Qualifications Screening
• Phase 3: Typing Test (or typing certificate submission)
• Phase 4: Oral Board Interview
• Phase 5: Background investigation (may include polygraph, psychological screening)

Please note that the entire selection process may take 4-6 months to complete.

The selected candidate must demonstrate a work history reflecting reliability and dependability and may be required to provide copies of certificates, diplomas, or other documentation required by law, including proof of authorization to work in the United States, and pass a pre-employment medical examination, which is specific to the essential job functions and requirements. Pre-employment processing will also include an extensive background check, a credit check, and successful completion of a polygraph exam. (Does not apply to current full-time BART Police Department employees unless a specific job requires additional evaluations).

If selected to proceed in the background investigative phase of the process, you will be asked to provide some essential documents. The following are some of the documents you may be asked to provide: naturalization/citizenship papers, birth certificates, school transcripts, proof of Selective Service, DMV driving history documents, proof of automobile insurance, marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable), and POST certificates (if applicable).

Responsibilities

1. Receives and prioritizes incoming 911 emergency and non-emergency telephone calls.
2. Operates radio to dispatch patrol units and other police personnel to crime scenes and other transit system emergencies and incidents.
3. Operates computer terminal to access a variety of police information, assists in processing police warrants.
4. Provides radio assistance and information to Police Officers.
5. Communicates and coordinates emergency response with other public safety agencies and emergency services.
6. Maintains service records and logs other computerized information.
7. Coordinates activities with those of central control for emergency train intercepts, power turn off and other revenue vehicle system emergencies.
8. Provides police-related telephone information to District patrons; answers telephone inquiries from other law enforcement agencies.
9. Provides records assistance to the Police Department’s property unit; monitors District system alarm calls and coordinates response.
10. Performs a variety of clerical duties, including typing on computer keyboard to input and retrieve automated internal records and local, state, and national criminal information.

Education

Possession of a high school diploma, GED or recognized equivalent.

Experience

EITHER

Completion of the Police Dispatcher Trainee program for the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District.

OR

Two (2) years (full-time equivalent) verifiable journey-level safety dispatching experience.

Other Requirements

• Must be able to successfully pass a detailed POST background investigation prior to appointment, including a psychological evaluation.
• Must be able to work various shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• Must type at 40 net wpm with no more than ten (10) errors.
• Must be able to move quickly from one workstation to another and perform any combination of duties or other related tasks at the same time.

Knowledge

• Basic law enforcement terminology, rules and procedures.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including filing documents and the operation of common office equipment.
• Law enforcement dispatch policies and procedures.

Skill

• Memorizing codes, names, locations and other detailed information; obtaining information from individuals in emergency situations.
• Understanding and following oral and written directions.
• Making rapid and sound independent judgments in emergency situations.
• Using two-way radio communication equipment effectively.
• Using an on-line computer to access a variety of information.
• Working under periods of stress and dealing with multiple activities simultaneously.
• Performing routine clerical duties.
• Communicating tactfully and effectively with the public, including with people who may be emotional or difficult to understand.
• Maintaining accurate files.