Public Safety Dispatcher

City of Garden Grove; Garden Grove (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team as a Public Safety Dispatcher in a fast-paced environment where your quick decision-making skills will shine. This role is essential for ensuring public safety by dispatching emergency services and maintaining communication with field personnel. You will be part of a dedicated team that values responsibility and professionalism, operating in a challenging yet rewarding atmosphere. If you thrive under pressure and enjoy helping others, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in your community while developing your skills in public safety communications.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; POST Dispatcher Training is a plus.
• 1 year of clerical experience involving public contact is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Process emergency requests using a computerized dispatch system.
• Maintain communication with field personnel and manage emergency situations.

Skills

Customer service techniques

Computerized record systems

Communication skills

Judgment under pressure

Education

High school diploma or GED

POST Public Safety Dispatcher Training

Tools

Computer-Aided Dispatch system

Multi-line telephone system

Text-to-911 software

Job description

The City of Garden Grove is now accepting applications for:

Public Safety Dispatcher

Deadline to apply for this recruitment is Friday, February 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. PST
Click here to apply online:Join Our Team
or Scan to apply online:

Under general supervision, Public Safety Dispatchers send out personnel and equipment for both routine and emergency service based on information secured from incoming calls and according to established procedures. The ideal candidate for this position will be alert, highly responsible and able to make sound judgments quickly while working under high-pressure circumstances.

Dispatchers work a 3/12 shift. Employees are assigned to work the day or night shift and may be required to work on weekends and holidays, if staffing or workload dictates. Overtime or working through lunch may also be required if the work is urgent or the workload cannot be covered.

We anticipate creating an eligibility list from this recruitment that may be used to fill current and future vacancies. Apply now!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Receive and process requests for police, fire and/or emergency medical service utilizing a computerized dispatch system.
2. Operate a multi-line computerized telephone system which includes 911 emergency phone lines, non-emergency phone lines, text to 911, and a TDD system.
3. Dispatch personnel and equipment for both routine and emergency service utilizing phone location mapping according to established procedures or as directed.
4. Maintain computer terminal and radio contact with field personnel.
5. Relay messages and keep command personnel informed of the status of emergency situations.
6. Maintain records and logs of communications activities, including activity logs, special files, lists, and maps.
7. Perform related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Graduation from an accredited high school or successful completion of the G.E.D. (General Educational Development) exam and one (1) year of clerical or other related experience involving contact with the public and some use of independent judgment.

Completion of POST Public Safety Dispatcher Training is highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
Customer service techniques and principles; computerized record systems, and use of personal computers.

ABILITY TO:
Learn the practices and procedures involved in public safety communications work; receive and transmit information, relay messages, keep command personnel informed of the status of emergency situations; maintain confidentiality of information that is inherently part of the position; apply predetermined plans; learn the operations of radio/telephone receiving and transmitting equipment; learn the geography of the City and maintain familiarity with the locations of streets, specified buildings and facilities to coordinate activity with field personnel on assignment; accurately read and interpret maps; work in a demanding, regimented environment and exercise good judgment in all situations; provide quality customer service and maintain a courteous, patient, and professional attitude on all radio and phone contacts; keep detailed and accurate records and logs of communication activities, special files, lists and maps; prepare reports; hear accurately and speak clearly and distinctly; type a minimum of 30 net words per minute and learn to use the computer-aided dispatch system; learn to use the computer-aided dispatch system, text-to-911 software and computerized phone equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification walk; sit; stand; use fingers/hands repetitively; stoop, bend and lean; twist and turn; reach above and below shoulder level; speak clearly; hear normal voice conversation; distinguish shades or colors; see small details; use a telephone; use a radio and/or Computer-Aided Dispatch system; use a personal computer; and type or use a 10-key type keypad.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a fast-paced office environment utilizing modern office equipment and technology and may require sitting for prolonged periods of time using a computer. The incumbent stands, walks, and may twist, reach, bend, crouch and kneel. An incumbent must be able to meet the requirements of the classification and have mobility, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed. Exposure to high frequency noise, low lighting, multiple conversations, interruptions and highly-agitated callers are typical occurrences in this environment.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must not have any felony convictions.

The ability to speak Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean is highly desirable.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applications may be completed online by visiting www.ggcity.org/hr. Questions regarding this recruitment should be sent to [e-mail]. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and every other Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Online application packets must include:

• a completed online employment application;
• a completed supplemental questionnaire;
• a completion certificate for the POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course, if applicable;
• a valid POST Basic (or higher) Dispatcher certificate, if applicable;
• a valid typing certificate, if applicable.

Your application will be reviewed very carefully, and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to further testing.

THE SELECTION PROCESS:
The selection process may include:

• APPLICATION SCREENING
• WRITTEN EXAMINATION -Test scores must be received by the deadline of February 20, 2025 from one of the two test options below.

National Testing Network (NTN) Emergency Communications Exam

• Passing score: 33.4% on CallTaker, 33.33% on Dispatcher, and 33.33% on Notes. This exam is administered directly by the NTN and candidates pay a test fee for the service. Please visit the NTN website for more information on testing locations and pricing.
• To schedule a test, visit the National Testing Network website by clicking here. Select the Garden Grove Police Department and the specific position you are applying to. NTN will submit your scores to Garden Grove Human Resources for review.

- OR -

P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Entry-Level Test Battery

• Passing score: Total T-Score - 53 or higher. Garden Grove Human Resources does not have any P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Entry-Level Test Battery test dates scheduled. However, if you have taken the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Entry-Level Test Battery test with another agency within the last year, you may submit a copy of your test results to meet the written exam requirement.

CANDIDATES WILL ONLY RECEIVE COMMUNICATION THROUGH EMAIL.

Candidates considered for appointment to a position must pass a thorough background investigation, Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) Examination, psychological evaluation, and pre-placement medical examination.

TYPING CERTIFICATE INFORMATION ***IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ***

Applicants must submit a typing certificate by March 6, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. PST.

Typing certificates must meet the following criteria:

• Must document your typing speed for a 5-minute timed test.
• The minimum required speed is 30 net words per minute.
• Must be from an agency that regularly certifies typing speed, such as temporary agencies, workforce service centers, adult schools or other similar agencies.
• Certificate must be issued within the past 12 months (March 2024 - March 2025).
• Internet or online certificates will not be accepted.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Ashleigh Anderson Camba, Human Resources Analyst at [e-mail].

NEPOTISM POLICY

The City has adopted a Nepotism Policy that may affect the status of a candidate’s application. Please refer to the Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.44.440 Nepotism Policy for more information.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Garden Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, religion, ancestry, national origin, medical condition, non-disqualifying disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or other protected class covered by appropriate law.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

Per Government Code 3100, in the event of a disaster, employees of the City of Garden Grove are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

* Job Bulletin updated 1/21/25