Police Dispatcher

City of Glendale; Glendale (AZ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Glendale Police Department is seeking qualified applicants for the role of Police Dispatcher, offering a competitive hiring bonus. The role involves answering and dispatching 911 calls, operating communication systems, and working under pressure. Candidates should have a high school education and relevant telecommunication experience.

Benefits

Hiring bonus for Lateral Dispatchers

Full City benefits upon moving to regular status

Qualifications

• One year experience in telecommunications or public safety.
• Certification as Terminal Operator Level A within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to type 35 wpm.

Responsibilities

• Answer emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Dispatch units to calls and maintain situation awareness.
• Enter data into criminal justice information systems.

Skills

Communication

Problem Solving

Multi-tasking

Education

High school diploma

Job description

HIRING BONUS

The Glendale Police Department is offering the following hiring bonuses:

• $10,000 for applicants hired as in-state Lateral Police Dispatchers
• $7,500 for applicants hired as out-of-state Lateral Police Dispatchers
• $2,000 for applicants hired as Police Communications Specialist (Police Dispatcher) trainees

This recruitment process will be used to fill both full-time, regular status Police Dispatcher positions and contract 911 Call Taker positions with the Glendale Police Department. As regular status vacancies occur within the Communications Unit, contract employees may have the opportunity to move into regular status positions with full City benefits.

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Police Dispatcher Testing Process

All communication, including testing invitations, will be sent by email. Please be sure to use a valid email address on your application and check your email regularly. All parts of the testing process will be communicated via email. Remote CritiCall testing and interview dates will be established after an initial review of applications. Lateral Police Dispatchers may be eligible for a modified hiring process dependent on experience at a comparable law enforcement agency.

Answers emergency and non-emergency telephone calls, dispatches and monitors officers, and enters information into criminal justice information systems.

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For recruiting updates, testing information, tips, and videos to help you through the process, follow us online:

• Answers incoming telephone lines, such as 911 emergency, non-emergency lines, TTY for the hearing impaired and text to 911.
• Dispatches calls to proper emergency/police units on the main police channel, police information channel or the major incident restricted channel and enters appropriate information into computer aided dispatch system.
• Maintains status and awareness of police units and activities and monitors alarms; provides supplemental information to officers and other personnel as needed.
• Prioritizes calls, monitors channels during critical incidents, determines appropriate officers to respond and dispatches information to appropriate personnel.
• Performs ACIC/NCIC entries, uses computer systems such as Hexagon CAD/WEBRMS, ACJIS/JWI, ShotSpotter, 3SI and Motorola Radio Systems.
• May be required to testify in court.
• Assists in the training and evaluation of new Communication Specialists, Police Officers and Reserve Police Officers.
• Maintains various department records, reference books, and reports.
• Performs validation audits and other computerized data entry work.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

High school education and one year experience in the operation of telecommunication equipment, computers, or base radios preferably in a public safety environment. Preference will be given to candidates with prior law enforcement dispatching experience. Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.

Knowledge of:
Radio, telephone, and computer equipment in the Communications areas
City, State and Federal laws regarding emergency communications and criminal justice information systems
Departmental policies, procedures, and general orders
Community resources available to citizen callers
Police patrol procedures

Ability to:
Operate computerized criminal justice information systems
Work under pressure in emergency and stressful situations and at several tasks concurrently. Quickly and accurately obtain pertinent information
Independently operate a base radio station and learn radio codes and call letters
Learn the geography of the City
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-worker, other city personnel, outside agencies and the general public
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing

Special Requirements

Shift work is required.
Terminal Operator Certification, Level A, within 6 months of hire.
Ability to type 35 wpm.
Applicants will be required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and will be subject to further drug and alcohol testing throughout their period of employment in accordance with the City of Glendale Substance Abuse policy.

Intense concentration and prolonged attentiveness required during emergency communications.
Interaction with distraught or abusive individuals.
Hearing: Uncorrected hearing with no loss greater than 25 dB in the 500, 1000, 2000, or 3000 hertz frequencies.
Vision: Must have at least 20/80 vision, correctable to 20/20 with contact lenses or glasses; or 20/200 vision, correctable to 20/20 with soft contacts.

Applying in this recruitment does not preclude you from applying in other City of Glendale recruitments. If you are not selected for this position, you would need to reapply to receive consideration. Candidates will be notified by email of their standing in the recruitment process, including any limitations on reapplication.

Glendale is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of the workforce.

Applicants may obtain a copy of the City of Glendale's EEOP Utilization Report here or upon request from the City of Glendale's Human Resources & Risk Management Office.