PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER I - IV - LATERAL

City of Long Beach; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Long Beach is seeking a Public Safety Dispatcher to handle 911 and non-emergency calls for police, fire and EMS, entering data in CAD and coordinating with field units.

You will question callers, prioritize information, and relay details to responders while supporting ongoing training and performance evaluation as needed.

Qualifications

• Two years of current or recent experience as a public safety dispatcher with a public agency.
• Keyboarding speed of at least 35 WPM with certificate proof.
• Willingness to work any shift, holidays, weekends and overtime.

Responsibilities

• Receive and dispatch emergency (911) and non-emergency calls for police, fire and EMS.
• Question callers for information and enter data into CAD/computer terminals.
• Dispatch field units and relay relevant information to agencies; may provide training or supervisory duties.

Skills

Dispatcher experience

Keyboarding 35 WPM

Bilingual English/Spanish

Bilingual English/SE Asian languages

Job description

Description

Under general supervision, receives and dispatches emergency (911) and non-emergency calls for police or fire and emergency medical service; enters data into a computer terminal while questioning callers for information; determines nature, validity and disposition of calls; may provide post dispatch medical instructions; utilizes computer generated messages and priorities to dispatch field units to emergency situations; operates a variety of communications equipment including radios, accessories and telephones; performs call reception and dispatch activities utilizing computer-aided dispatch system; answers or refers inquiries and complaints regarding a wide variety of public safety and related matters; accesses, retrieves, and transmits vehicular or incident information to field units; relays relevant situational information to non-city enforcement or public safety agencies; may provide training for dispatchers and participate in evaluation of their performance; may act in a variety of dispatch supervisory positions; performs other related duties as required.

Requirements To File

• Option A: Possession of a California P.O.S.T. Dispatcher certificate (proof required).
• Option B: Possession of a recognized Emergency Medical Dispatcher certificate (proof required).

• Two years paid, (full-time equivalent) of current or recent (within 12 months) experience as a public safety dispatcher with a public agency.
• Ability to demonstrate keyboarding skills at 35 wpm; candidates must submit proof of acceptable keyboarding certification (proof required).
• Willingness to work any shift assignment and work mandatory holidays, weekends and overtime.
• Ability to handle a high volume of emergency and non-emergency calls with tact, good judgment, initiative and speed; question callers while simultaneously typing information into a computer terminal; speak English clearly and understandably; comprehend, interpret, and retain written and orally presented information effectively i.e., read, memorize, interpret and apply policies and procedures, State Penal Code, FCC regulations, charts and maps.
• Ability to pass a thorough background investigation, polygraph examination and psychological evaluation conducted by the Long Beach Police Department. The investigation will include information regarding relatives, references, acquaintances, educational background, residential history, employment history, military service records, financial status, legal history, drug use and related areas.
• Required documents, such as a keyboarding certificate, must be uploaded to the online application at the time of filing. Any proofs submitted must contain either the applicant's name or other identifying characteristics on the form.

Desirable Qualifications

• Bilingual skills in English/Spanish or English/Southeast Asian languages.

Selection Procedure

Effective April 1, 2020, the Civil Service Department will continue to accept and receive keyboarding skills certificate from an approved government, employment or training agency recognized by the Civil Service Department and obtained during the past 12 months; this will also include an online keyboarding skills certificate for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher. (via 5 minute typing test). This is a continuous examination. All applicants meeting the requirements to file will be placed on the eligible list, with those receiving Veteran's credit first, and then in the order in which applications are filed. Eligible lists will be established periodically. For candidates meeting all requirements to file the following examination components will be waived: Keyboarding Test and Performance Test.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

The City of Long Beach is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work by supporting staff and community partners. We are committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender.

The City of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act

In support of the City's Language Access Policy, bilingual skills (Spanish, Khmer, and/or Tagalog) are desirable for positions interacting with the public.

An Equal Opportunity Employer.

Employee Benefits

• Medical and Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan (P.E.R.S.)
• Paid Vacation, Personal Holidays and Sick Leave
• Deferred Compensation
• Credit Union Membership
• Free Bus Transportation (Long Beach Transit)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Free Employee Parking
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Paid Parental Leave - after six (6) months of City employment; up to 30 calendar days (160 hours/192 hours for sworn platoon) of PPL, taken in full- day increments, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of seventeen (17).

INSTRUCTIONS

The purpose of the supplemental questions is to derive more specific information about your qualifications for this position. Applicants must clearly demonstrate their qualifying experience on the job application. It is to the candidate's advantage to read each question carefully, clearly answer all questions and document all job-related education, training and experience as required. Do you understand the information stated in the \"INSTRUCTIONS\" section above?

• Yes
• No

Requirements To File Read Each Question Carefully

Indicate under which of the following options you qualify for the Public Safety Dispatcher - Lateral position:

• A. Possession of a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Dispatcher professional certificate. (proof required)
• B. Possession of a recognized Emergency Medical Dispatcher certificate. (proof required)
• C. I do not meet either requirement. (If you do not meet this requirement, you should consider applying for the entry-level Public Safety Dispatcher-NTN instead)

Do you possess two years (full-time equivalent) of current or recent (within 12 months) experience as a public safety dispatcher with a public agency?

• Yes
• No

Are you able to demonstrate keyboarding skills of at least 35 WPM? (Candidates must submit proof of acceptable keyboarding certification at the time of filing).

• Yes
• No

Are you willing to work any shift assignment and work mandatory holidays, weekends and overtime?

• Yes
• No

Are you able to handle a high volume of emergency and non-emergency calls with tact, good judgment, initiative and speed?

• Yes
• No

Are you able to question callers while simultaneously typing information into a computer terminal?

• Yes
• No

Are you able to speak English clearly and understandably?

• Yes
• No

Are you able to comprehend, interpret, and retain written and orally presented information effectively? (i.e., read, memorize, interpret and apply policies and procedures, and mapping applications)

• Yes
• No

To the best of your knowledge are you able to pass a thorough background investigation, polygraph examination, and psychological evaluation conducted by the Long Beach Police Department.

• Yes
• No

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: Do you possess any of the following desirable qualifications?

• Bilingual skills in English/Spanish
• Bilingual skills in English/Southeast Asian languages

Be advised that any intentional tattoos, branding, scarification, body modification, temporary tattoos, or piercing (including gauges) shall not be visible on the head, neck, mouth or hands while on duty or representing the department in any official capacity. The following exceptions are permitted: natural looking makeup tattoos (eyebrow, lips, eye liner); wedding band on left ring finger; invisible or flesh-colored piercing/gauge blanks worn to maintain the piercing opening; 20 gauge or less standard ear piercing(s); 2 mm or less single nostril piercing with a visible stud; and tattoos on the nape of the neck. Furthermore, any intentional tattoo, branding scarification, body modification, or temporary tattoo that displays an unprofessional or offensive image, phrase, or expression are not permitted. Do you understand the information above?

• Yes
• No

EXPERIENCE: Requirements to file for the Public Safety Dispatcher - Lateral position require two years (full-time equivalent) of current or recent experience as a public safety dispatcher with a public agency. Provide specific information about the employment experience that meets the aforementioned requirement to file and serves to qualify you for this position. Please include: Name of Employer / Position Title / Specific Duties / Dates of Employment / Hours Per Week

KEYBOARDING/TYPING CERTIFICATE INFORMATION: Candidates must attach proof of their keyboarding/typing certificate to their application at the time of filing. The keyboarding/typing certificate must demonstrate a typing speed of at least 35 words per minute (net speed) and must have been attained within the last twelve months. Be advised that failure to submit a valid keyboarding/typing certificate will result in your disqualification from the application process. Are you submitting a valid keyboarding/typing certificate along with your application?

• Yes
• No

GENERAL QUESTIONS: Are you claiming Veteran's Preference? Note: If you answer \"YES\", a copy of your DD-214 Member 4 Form (or other appropriate documentation) must be attached with your application at time of filing.

• Yes
• No

I certify that I have personally completed the information provided and that it is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification may cancel any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.

• Yes
• No
• Required Question