Police Dispatcher I

City of Fontana; Fontana (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits plan

Job summary

The City of Fontana is seeking a Police Dispatcher to answer 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls, analyze information, and dispatch units using CAD and radio systems. This non-uniformed role requires data entry, record keeping, and collaboration with field personnel.

The position emphasizes professional communication, problem solving, and maintaining public safety under 12-hour shifts within the Fontana Police Department. Training and advancement opportunities are provided.

Qualifications

• Completion of the twelfth grade or equivalent is required.
• Typing at least 40 NET WPM is required and a typing test certificate may be requested.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License is required.
• Dispatcher experience involving public contact is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Receive emergency and non-emergency calls and determine jurisdiction and response.
• Dispatch units via radio and CAD system according to procedures.
• Monitor radio channels and maintain unit status and location.
• Enter and retrieve information using CLETS/NCIC/DOJ systems.
• Provide on-the-job training and support within Dispatch Unit.

Skills

Typing 40 NET WPM

Public contact experience

Clear written/spoken English

Education

Twelfth grade completion

Driver's license (CA)

Public safety dispatch experience

Job description

Definition

Under general and/or immediate supervision, performs a variety of duties involved in answering 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls; analyze, prioritize, and enter calls for service via a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system; dispatch emergency personnel via multi-frequency radio system, telephone, or other communications equipment; record and monitor activities of field and communications personnel; receive incoming calls for police and emergency assistance and dispatch necessary units; perform a variety of general support duties related to dispatch activities; and related work as assigned on an assigned shift for the Police Department. Under general and/or immediate supervision, performs a variety of duties involved in receiving incoming calls for police and emergency assistance and dispatching necessary units; performs a variety of general support duties related to dispatch activities including record keeping, typing and filing; and monitors teletype communications.

POSITION SNAPSHOT

The Fontana Police Dispatcher is a non-uniformed position. A typical shift is 12-hours which predominantly takes place within the Dispatch Center of the Police Department. You will be a member of a productive team that operates in a fast-paced environment while answering calls from the public and communicating with department personnel in the field via phone, computer, or radio. This communication includes but is not limited to: call taking, working secondary and primary radio channels, collecting and/or passing information to partner jurisdictions, and accurate data-entry. The goal of a Dispatcher is to serve the community through respectful, empathetic communication with a focus on problem solving and maintaining professionalism.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Police Dispatcher I

This is the entry level class in the Police Dispatcher series. Incumbents learn and perform a variety of duties involved in receiving, prioritizing, and transmitting emergency and non-emergency calls for service and dispatching the appropriate personnel in response to those calls. This class is distinguished from the Police Dispatcher II by the performance of the more routine tasks.

Police Dispatcher II

This is the journey level class in the Police Dispatcher series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Police Dispatcher I level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned. Employees are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class are normally filled from advancement from the I level, or when filled from the outside, require prior work experience and P.O.S.T certification. May participate in the training and evaluation of new communications staff.

Essential Functions

The incumbent must have the ability to:

• Receive emergency and non-emergency calls, complaints, and inquiries from the public. Evaluate and analyze information to determine jurisdiction, necessity, and response needed.
• Determine the nature and location of emergency and non-emergency calls for service, including 9-1-1 calls, and prioritize response.
• Dispatch emergency and non-emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures. Use appropriate terminology and radio codes relaying to police personnel in the field via radio and mobile data computer terminals.
• Listen and comprehend radio transmissions from emergency personnel in the field; acknowledge, document, and comply with requests for action or information.
• Coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other public safety agencies.
• Maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of police field units, checking periodically to verify location, activity, and status, supplying back-up personnel and taking other appropriate steps to provide for the safety of field personnel.
• Organize and coordinate activities of field units.
• Place telephone calls to other safety agencies, City departments, City emergency crews, tow companies, ambulance services, coroner, telephone and utility companies, and others to relay information or request services, maintaining detailed record of the time and nature of each call.
• Operate CAD equipment, enhanced 9-1-1 telephone system equipment, multi-frequency radio equipment, Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), and other relative office equipment and systems.
• Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing, and other general clerical work.
• Monitor radio channels for service requests from other jurisdictions and emergency radio traffic that may affect the City’s operations.
• Monitor security cameras and license plate readers to provide real-time information to field units.
• Attend patrol briefings as assigned.
• Testify in court as needed.
• Enter, update, and retrieve information on wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen property/vehicles, and other information from computer and teletype networks including but not limited to California Law Enforcement Teletype System (CLETS), Department of Justice (DOJ), National Law Enforcement Teletype System (NLETS)/National Crime Information Center (NCIC), etc.
• Learn departmental policies and procedures for service requests.
• Read maps, memorize streets and major hundred blocks and reasonably apply this knowledge to service requests, field unit beat assignments, and coordination of response.
• Learn police codes, practices, and methods.
• Work under pressure, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Effectively and courteously deal with the public, including irate, upset, and difficult callers during hectic, tense, and dangerous situations.
• Work various shifts as assigned, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Interact with co-workers at all levels in the organization in a collaborative and customer service-oriented manner.
• Maintain prompt and regular attendance.
• Perform all duties with the context of the City/Department’s Mission Statement and Organizational Values.
• May perform occasional matron duties as assigned.
• Provide on-the-job training and technical guidance to new employees in the Dispatch Unit.
• Perform any other tasks or functions deemed necessary to the daily operations of the employer.
• Other duties as assigned.
• This position is always evolving. Therefore, employer reserves the right to modify this job description as necessary.

THE ABOVE LIST OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND MAY BE SUPPLEMENTED AS NECESSARY BY THE EMPLOYER.

Working Conditions

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily office activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and finger coordination in preparing and entering data, using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading correspondence and using the computer, and acute hearing is required when providing phone and counter service to the public. The need to lift, drag and push file, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds also is required.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Required

A combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. The incumbent must have knowledge of:

Police Dispatcher I

• Modern office equipment including computers and applicable software.
• Modern office procedures, practices, and equipment.
• Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Methods and techniques for record keeping.

Experience

Dispatcher I – One (1) year of work experience that involves a substantial amount of public contact. One (1) year of telephone and/or dispatch and general clerical experience is desirable.

Education

Dispatcher I - Completion of the twelfth grade, or equivalent.

In addition, advancement from a Police Dispatcher I to a II requires incumbent to demonstrate competence in all phases/duties/responsibilities of the position and have recommendation of a Communications Supervisor.

Licenses/Certifications

Possession of, and continuously throughout employment, a valid California Class “C” Driver’s License or equivalent.

Candidates must be able to type at a minimum speed of 40 NET WPM. A typing test certificate must be attached to your application in order to move forward in the recruitment process. Please review the Typing Certificate Requirements.

Supplemental Information

Successful candidates will be required to pass a drug screening, fingerprint screening, physical examination and a background investigation.

Fontana PD Dispatcher Perks

If you were referred to this position by a current Fontana Police Department employee

Forms received after the position closes will not be accepted.

The City of Fontana has a flexible benefits plan. This plan allows for employees to select benefits based upon their individual needs. Full-time and Classified Part-time employees are eligible for benefits.

01

Do you possess education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess one (1) year of work experience that involves a substantial amount of public contact?

• Yes
• No

03

I understand that I must be able to type at a minimum speed of 40 Net WPM, and that a typing test certificate must be attached to my application in order for me to move forward in the recruitment process.

• Yes
• No

04

Were you referred to this position by a current Fontana Police Department employee? *If you select yes, please refer to the job posting for instructions to download and submit an Applicant Referral Form. This form must be completed and submitted to the Human Resources Department at the time that your application is submitted. Referral Information Forms received after the position closes will not be accepted.

• Yes
• No
• Required Question