Public Safety Dispatcher

City of Clovis, California; Clovis (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Clovis, California, is hiring a Public Safety Dispatcher to answer 911 and non-emergency calls, dispatch police, fire, and EMS, and coordinate incident response in a fast-paced, team-based setting.

Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid California driver's license with a good record, and a 40 WPM typing speed; POST Basic Course must be completed within the first year.

Qualifications

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License and a good driving record.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Receive emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch police, fire, and other public safety personnel and equipment.
• Provide telecommunications support and incident coordination for field units.
• 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 and help and serve people in need.

Skills

Public safety dispatch

Communication

Multitasking

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's Degree (desirable)

Tools

CAD system

Phone systems

Radio equipment

Job description

Positions hired from April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028 in the Lateral Public Safety Dispatcher class with a minimum of two (2) or more years of public safety dispatching experience may be eligible for up to a $7,500 bonus incentive.

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.

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.

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.

THE CITY OF CLOVIS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER