Public Safety Communications Dispatcher Department of Emergency Management 8238

City and County of San Francisco; United States; Remote; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team as a Public Safety Communications Dispatcher in a fast-paced environment. This vital role involves receiving and prioritizing emergency calls, dispatching police, fire, and EMS units, and maintaining communication with field personnel. You'll be at the heart of public safety, ensuring that help arrives when it's needed most. If you're a skilled communicator with a passion for serving the community, this position offers the chance to make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive and diverse environment. Embrace the challenge and help keep San Francisco safe!

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required, with 2 years in a public contact role.
• Experience with emergency dispatching and communication is essential.

Responsibilities

• Receive and prioritize emergency and non-emergency calls efficiently.
• Dispatch police, fire, and EMS units using a computer-aided system.

Skills

Emergency Dispatching

Communication Skills

Computer-Aided Dispatch Systems

Geographical Knowledge

Public Safety Policies

Education

High School Diploma or GED

30 Semester Units of College Coursework

Tools

Two-Way Radio Dispatch Console

Video Display Terminals

Computer Systems

Job description

Job Description

Under general supervision, a Public Safety Communications Dispatcher ("Dispatcher") receives incoming emergency (9-1-1) and non-emergency telephone calls from both the public and public safety agencies. This position dispatches police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) field units to respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service over a two-way radio system utilizing a computer-aided dispatch system.

DEM's Division of Emergency Communications operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Dispatchers may be assigned to work various schedules which include day shift, swing shift, night shift, weekends, holidays, and overtime. Dispatchers work 8-hour or 10-hour shifts (or longer) and must be willing and able to respond, report, and mobilize as necessary.

Essential duties include:

• Receives emergency and non-emergency calls and efficiently gathers, evaluates, prioritizes, and documents information from callers.
• Dispatches police, fire, and EMS field units to specific locations using a computer-aided dispatch system, multiple video display terminals, two-way radio dispatch console, and related equipment.
• Evaluates incoming reports of police, fire, and medical emergencies; immediately transmits complete and accurate information to appropriate field personnel.
• Monitors, coordinates, and accurately maintains the status of incidents and records of dispatched emergency service personnel and apparatus.
• Receives and disseminates information from other law enforcement and emergency service computer networks related to jurisdictional requests for police, fire, or medical service assistance, or to notices of wanted persons, stolen property, warrants, and all-points bulletins; maintains confidentiality of information.
• Maintains familiarity with area geography including major streets and buildings; recognizes circumstances that may pose hazards to public safety field units and the public.
• Maintains up-to-date understanding of public safety policies and procedures for the Department of Emergency Management, police, fire, EMS, and other emergency service providers.
• Responds to routine and non-routine inquiries regarding police, fire, or emergency medical services; properly classifies and prioritizes any report or complaint and determines appropriate course of action; provides appropriate referrals as necessary.
• Works various 8-hour or 10-hour shifts, or longer, including day shift, swing shift, night shift, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

Working Conditions: Dispatchers work in a fast-paced, highly stressful, and confined environment.

Qualifications:

1. Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED or High School Proficiency Examination); AND
2. Two years of experience in a public contact position providing information and/or a service, or in a position where the primary responsibility is interacting with people.

Substitution: Completion of 30 semester units or 45 quarter units of coursework from an accredited college or university may substitute for 1 year of the required experience as described above.

Note: 1 year of experience is equivalent to 2000 hours (based on a 40-hour work week). Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the filing deadline unless otherwise noted. Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification.

How to Apply:
Applications are only accepted through an online process. Select “Apply Now” and follow instructions on the screen. Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their application has been received for every application submitted. Failure to receive this email means that your application was not submitted or received.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.