Public Safety Dispatcher

City of Clovis; Clovis, California, Statesville (CA, MO, NC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Clovis is seeking a Public Safety Dispatcher to manage emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatch public safety personnel, and provide telecommunications support. This role requires strong communication skills, the ability to handle high-stress situations, and a commitment to public service. Candidates must possess a high school diploma, relevant experience, and complete necessary training within the first year.

Qualifications

• Completion of the POST Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course training during the first year of service.
• Three years of experience involving public contact work.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Receive and respond to emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Dispatch police, fire units, and other public service entities.
• Maintain incident records and logs.

Skills

Communication

Crisis Management

Multitasking

Problem Solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system

California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS)

Job description

Description

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, learn and understand City Police Department dispatching policies, methods, and procedures; receive emergency and non-emergency calls for service through 911, radio, phone, and other communications media; dispatch law enforcement, fire, and other public safety personnel and equipment; provide telecommunications support and incident coordination for field units; learn and serve as call taker for the City of Clovis 911 Public Safety Answering Point; assist with other non-emergency responsibilities when assigned; perform general office support assignments; help and serve people in need; and to perform related work as required.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Positions in this class work in a team setting with other Public Safety Dispatchers using radio equipment, and computers where incumbents may be required to handle several emergencies simultaneously. Incumbents work under the guidance of a Lead Public Safety Dispatcher, and under the general supervision of a Communications Supervisor. Incumbents receive thorough instructions when tasks are initially assigned and after training are expected to perform duties without constant supervision. Work is reviewed by the Lead Public Safety Dispatcher, Communications Supervisor, or the Watch Commander while in progress. Incumbents are expected to refer most variations in dispatch work to the supervisor for instructions.

Examples of Duties

Receive and respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire, medical, and other related services over phone, 911, radio, and other communications media; respond rapidly to inquiries and requests to ensure proper dissemination of information and dispatch police, fire units, and other public service entities to public safety incidents; interview callers to evaluate location, and the nature and urgency of their situation; request all pertinent information; classify incidents; establish dispatch priorities; investigate law enforcement history pertaining to people and addresses to prepare officers for the situation they will be encountering; query information and provide telecommunications support, using the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) and other local, regional, national, and international databases to determine alerts and requests for people and property; provide information to support officers and other public safety personnel in the field using a variety of computerized and manual information systems; coordinate and maintain contact with other agencies to assist field personnel in managing and resolving requests and public safety issues, as required and coordinate or transfer requests for emergency and non-emergency medical services with other emergency service providers; transfer calls to other units or agencies as warranted; monitor and broadcast public safety radio transmissions to facilitate communication flow; enter, update, modify, and clear incident data and other related information into the computer-aided dispatching (CAD) system, records management systems (RMS), California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS), and other computer systems and databases as required; maintain incident records, cards, and logs including handwriting, documenting, and time stamping conversations on the radio and during calls; as directed by a supervisor duplicate recordings of radio and phone communications for court or other purposes; call out special teams and make other notifications as required; operate communications center equipment including but not limited to phones, radios, computers, and printers; monitor locations on multiple computer screens and verify safe status of public safety units; relay information to other appropriate agencies regarding hazards; maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and city regulations; confirm out of agency warrants and abstract warrants issued by the City of Clovis Police Department; respond to routine phone requests from the public for information; brief oncoming dispatchers of shift action at end of shift; answer questions and provide information to the public; monitor and relay information obtained through the City of Clovis camera system; and to perform related work as required.

Typical Qualifications

LICENSE REQUIRED

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License and a good driving record;
• Possession of valid typing certificate or documentation for a minimum of forty (40) net words per minute;
• Completion of the POST Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course training during the first year of service.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent;

Education Desirable:

• Bachelor's Degree

Experience:

• Three (3) years of experience involving public contact work.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Operating policies, procedures, and functions of the police department relevant to the position;
• Laws, codes, and regulations pertinent to public safety services;
• Procedures, principles, and techniques of communication center operations, dispatching, public safety and emergency communications, call taking, telecommunications support, and customer courtesy;
• Proper operation and care of communications center equipment including phones, computers, radios, computer software, office equipment, and vehicles used in the communications center and in the field;
• Principles, practices, and techniques of computer aided dispatch systems;
• General geography of the City of Clovis;
• Public relations methods and techniques;
• Proper English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation;
• Techniques of effective communication;
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

• Learn policies, procedures, and functions of the police department relevant to the position;
• Read and understand the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) broadcasting procedures and rules regarding law enforcement radio transmissions and department procedures, rules, and regulations regarding dispatching and general public safety;
• Learn and operate communications center equipment, to include computers, CLETS terminals, phones, radio, and computer software;
• Analyze situations quickly and use sound judgment, initiative, creativity, and planning in dispatching personnel and equipment;
• Think clearly and act calmly in emergency situations;
• Read, analyze, and interpret written materials, maps, laws, codes, rules, and regulations;
• Evaluate situations and respond appropriately;
• Take and transmit clear and complete directions and information;
• Use patience, courtesy, and tact to recognize and discern various emotional states during all communications;
• Relate effectively to people of a variety of cultures, languages, disabling conditions, and socioeconomic situations;
• Deal tactfully and courteously with the public and other staff;
• Control phone conversations to elicit information;
• Accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously and organize workload with frequent interruptions and distractions in a high stress environment;
• Type and enter data at a speed necessary for successful job performance;
• Receive, retain, and use large quantities of information;
• Anticipate officer needs;
• Type from auditory sources;
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards;
• Maintain up to date logs, records, and files;
• Operate a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system with sufficient speed and accuracy;
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications;
• Work in a team-based environment and achieve common goals;
• Operate the City of Clovis camera system and provide pertinent updates to field units;
• Distinguish and comprehend simultaneous communications from several sources;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is primarily sedentary.
• Hearing: Acute to hear in person, radio, phone, or telephone head-set.
• Strength: Light work-lifting, carrying, and/or pushing 25 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds in the office environment; medium work-lifting, carrying, and/or pushing 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds in the outdoor/driving environments.
• Vision: Corrected to normal.
• Other physical requirements: Clear verbal communication, feeling, finger dexterity, frequent grasping and holding, reaching, talking, and balancing.
• Environment: Primary job functions are performed in an office environment other duties are performed in outdoor and driving environments; incumbents assigned to the outdoor/driving environments are required to work in all weather conditions with the ability to work outdoors when over 100 degrees in the summer and in the cold and rain during the winter months.
• Working conditions: Work is subject to simultaneous emergency situation evaluation; ability to attend periodic evening meetings or meetings outside of regularly scheduled shift; and work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

SELECTION PROCESS

Interested applicants must submit a completed City of Clovis employment application, supplemental questionnaire, and valid typing speed documentation or a Dispatcher POST Certificate at the time of application submission to the City of Clovis Personnel office. Applications must be submitted online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/clovisca. For additional questions, you may contact Personnel at [phone]. Brief resumes are welcome as a supplement to the City's standard application form; however, the application form and supplemental questionnaire must be filled out completely to be considered. You may attach your resume, valid typing speed documentation or Dispatcher POST Certificate at the time of application submission to the attachment section of the application form or submit by email to [e-mail]. A resume only may not be submitted in lieu of a completed employment application to be considered. Applicants may not attach any additional documents that are not required to their application form or submit any other documents by email, mail, fax, or hand delivery. Veterans' Preference Points may be provided if a DD Form 214 demonstrating qualifying service is submitted to the Personnel Office at the time of application submission. Applicants may attach, hand deliver or email the documentation to [e-mail]. Reasonable accommodation, when needed, for otherwise qualified candidates with disabilities, must be requested in writing at the time of application submission. Applicants will receive notification regarding the status of their application by email or phone once the applications have been processed and reviewed.

Applicants must meet each qualification for the position at the time of application submission. All applications will be reviewed based on the necessary employment standards for the position. Those candidates who best meet the needs of the operations may be invited to participate in a written, online or oral examination that will be weighted 100%. Candidates receiving a passing score from the examination process may be placed on an eligibility list for a period of up to one (1) year. Examinations and department interviews for the position will be administered in the City of Clovis. As determined by the City and at the City's expense, successful candidates shall be required to complete and pass a Personal History Questionnaire, an extensive background investigation, a polygraph or voice stress examination, a psychological examination, a medical examination, and a drug/alcohol screen. Possession of a valid California Driver's License and a good driving record will be required prior to hire. Proof of citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S. will be required at the time of hire.

Required Documentation:
To be considered for this position you must submit one of the following required documents at the time of application submission. You may attach the required documentation to your application at the time of submission only. If you do not attach the required documentation to your application, you must submit the documentation by email to [e-mail] within five (5) days of application submission; no exceptions will be made.

• Valid typing speed documentation completed within the last six (6) months for a minimum of forty (40) net words per minute;

or

• Dispatcher POST Certificate (Lateral applicants).

Valid Typing Speed Documentation Requirements:

Valid typing speed documentation may be obtained from any valid source (i.e.: employment agencies, schools, online, etc.). The document must include the applicant's full name as listed on the application form, the date completed within the last six (6) months, and the net typing speed for a minimum of forty (40) net words per minute.

The required documentation for the position must be attached before you submit your online employment application to the City of Clovis. The NEOGOV application site will allow you to attach documents to an application that you have already submitted however, the system will not allow the City of Clovis to view or print attachments after the online employment application has been submitted. If you do not attach the required documentation prior to submitting your online employment application, you must submit the required documents by email to [e-mail] within five (5) days of application submission to be considered for this employment opportunity. Failure to submit the required documentation will result in disqualification from the recruitment process.

Lateral Applicant Requirements/Selection Process:

• Lateral applicants are currently employed as an Emergency Dispatcher with a minimum of one (1) year of experience, possess a Dispatcher POST Certificate, and meet the position requirements at the time of application submission.

• Lateral applicants are not required to submit valid typing speed documentation or participate in the written or online examination.

• Lateral applicants are required to submit a complete employment application, supplemental questionnaire, and a copy of a Dispatcher POST Certificate, and receive a passing score on an initial selection screening which will include a pass/fail oral examination. Applicants who pass the initial screening and receive a passing score on the oral examination that will be weighted 100% may be placed on an eligibility list for a period of up to one (1) year. Department interviews for the position will be administered in the City of Clovis. As determined by the City and at the City's expense, successful candidates shall be required to complete and pass a Personal History Questionnaire, an extensive background investigation, a polygraph or voice stress examination, a psychological examination, a medical examination, and a drug/alcohol screen. Possession of a valid California Driver's License and a good driving record will be required prior to hire. Proof of citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S. will be required at the time of hire.

The examination may consist of questions relative to knowledge of operating policies, procedures, and functions of the police department relevant to the position; laws, codes, and regulations pertinent to public safety services; procedures, principles, and techniques of communication center operations, dispatching, public safety and emergency communications, call taking, telecommunications support, and customer courtesy; proper operation and care of communications center equipment including phones, computers, radios, computer software, office equipment, and vehicles used in the communications center and in the field; principles, practices, and techniques of computer aided dispatch systems; general geography of the City of Clovis; public relations methods and techniques; proper English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation; techniques of effective communication; and office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. The examination may also contain questions regarding the ability to learn policies, procedures, and functions of the police department relevant to the position; read and understand the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) broadcasting procedures and rules regarding law enforcement radio transmissions and department procedures, rules, and regulations regarding dispatching and general public safety; learn and operate communications center equipment, to include computers, CLETS terminals, phones, radio, and computer software; analyze situations quickly and use sound judgment, initiative, creativity, and planning in dispatching personnel and equipment; think clearly and act calmly in emergency situations; read, analyze, and interpret written materials, maps, laws, codes, rules, and regulations; evaluate situations and respond appropriately; take and transmit clear and complete directions and information; use patience, courtesy, and tact to recognize and discern various emotional states during all communications; relate effectively to people of a variety of cultures, languages, disabling conditions, and socioeconomic situations; deal tactfully and courteously with the public and other staff; control phone conversations to elicit information; accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously and organize workload with frequent interruptions and distractions in a high stress environment; type and enter data at a speed necessary for successful job performance; receive, retain, and use large quantities of information; anticipate officer needs; type from auditory sources; maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards; maintain up to date logs, records, and files; operate a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system with sufficient speed and accuracy; operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; work in a team-based environment and achieve common goals; operate the City of Clovis camera system and provide pertinent updates to field units; distinguish and comprehend simultaneous communications from several sources; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; and operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices.

This job flyer does not constitute a contract and its
terms and conditions can change without notice.

THE CITY OF CLOVIS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER