Public Safety Dispatcher - Lateral

City of Livermore; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniform allowance

Holiday in-lieu pay

Job summary

City of Livermore is seeking a Public Safety Dispatcher to handle 911 and non-emergency calls, dispatching multiple emergency units and coordinating with field personnel. The role requires independent judgment and strong information management in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include entering data into computer systems, monitoring radio traffic, maintaining logs, and providing support across police, fire, animal control, and public services functions.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience involving heavy public contact while performing multiple tasks and using a computer.
• Equivalent to graduation from high school; college coursework in communications, business administration, or related field desirable.
• Possession of POST Public Safety Dispatching Certificate required prior to probationary completion.
• May require a valid California driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.

Responsibilities

• Answer 911 emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch police, fire, medical, rescue, and other units.
• Enter and update information in computer terminals; monitor radio traffic and coordinate responses.
• Maintain logs, records, and reports; assist in processing arrested persons to jail.

Skills

Situational analysis

Interpersonal skills

Multitasking

Map reading

Education

High school diploma

College coursework in communications or related field

Tools

Radio communications equipment

Computer information systems

Job description

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS, IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.

ANNOUNCING NEW STEP INCREASE: $96,606 - $127,083*
*Top Step Base Compensation including Holiday In-Lieu Pay and Uniform Allowance.

Scheduled Pay Increases

10/5/26 - 4%

10/4/27 - 3%

10/2/28 - 3%

Definition

Under general supervision, receives 911 system emergency and non-emergency calls; dispatches assignments according to police and fire procedures; provides support services and maintains records; and performs other duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Public Safety Dispatcher provides technical communications support and computer information processing for police and fire activities as well as animal control and public services functions. In addition to call taking and dispatching, incumbents perform varied record keeping, information retrieval, and similar work in support of public safety activities. Incumbents are expected to exercise independent judgment in the performance of their duties with minimum supervision.

Supervision Received

General supervision is provided by the dispatch supervisor with direction provided by other supervisory or management staff.

Supervision Exercised

As experience is gained, incumbents in this classification may provide direction and training to other Public Safety Dispatchers.

Call Taking and Dispatching Functions

Answers 911 emergency and misdirected non-emergency calls, and a variety of other public safety telephone lines; communicates and relates effectively to those contacted in the course of the work; obtains essential information from reporting parties about the nature of the emergency; enters information into computer terminals; enters control codes and searches files to research and provide information; assesses urgency of call and assigns code; assesses the nature of the emergency, determines appropriate response level, determines closest available and most appropriate company, and dispatches police, fire, medical aid, rescue, and hazardous material calls via two-way radio or telephone; directly broadcasts critical police emergency calls and general information bulletins; enters, updates, and monitors information such as time assignment, en route time, arrival, clearance, and other related information for each emergency and non-emergency event; monitors location and verifies safe status of public safety and other specified City personnel; monitors and controls radio traffic; connects special hearing-impaired telephone lines to transcription apparatus; dispatches animal services assignments, as needed; refers non-emergency calls to other resources including other City departments, governmental, and private agencies; answers questions and provides information to the public, as appropriate; answers building intercom system and grants identified personnel access through remote-controlled security doors; calls in relief personnel to maintain public safety staffing levels; alerts other agencies and coordinates mutual response radio traffic; and initiates follow-up calls as requested.

Administrative Functions

Reviews and records case information; assigns case numbers; tallies assigned calls, balances police officer assignments, and coordinates break periods; may take brief, limited telephone reports of lost property; maintains logs and records; enters information into automated record files; reproduces computer generated bulletins; prepares letters and reports and other related forms and records; conducts radio equipment tests; may retrieve or review dispatch recordings; may classify and sort dispatch cards, as needed; and may be assigned to assist in processing arrested persons to jail.

Demonstrated Knowledge of

Modern office practices and procedures; proper English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation; alphabetic, chronological, and numeric filing systems; effective communication techniques; community resources; map reading; and personal computer operating systems and software applications.

Demonstrated Skills to

Analyze situations quickly and make sound decisions in emergency and routine situations; demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills including communicating effectively with those contacted in the course of work; perform multiple tasks concurrently; quickly read and retain information; quickly interpret maps and floor layouts; relate effectively to co-workers; speak in a clear and understandable voice; write basic letters, memos, and reports; utilize personal computers and computer software to perform word processing and spreadsheet functions; meet the City's keyboarding standard (35 net wpm); and exemplify an enthusiastic, resourceful, and effective service attitude with co-workers and the public.

Ability to

Learn the techniques, procedures, methods, and City dispatching codes used in the operation of a highly technical communications center; use patience, courtesy, and tact in dealing with the public; recognize and discern various emotional states when dealing with citizens in person and while on 911, emergency, and business lines; recognize the voices of field units; and quickly operate electronic data processing equipment and radio consoles.

Experience, Education, and Training Guidelines

Experience

Two years of experience involving heavy public contact while performing multiple tasks and using a computer.

Education

Equivalent to graduation from high school. College course work in communications, business administration, or a related field are desirable.

Training

Any recent training such as academic courses and certification programs which are relevant to this job classification.

Certification

Possession of POST Public Safety Dispatching Certificate is required prior to the completion of the probationary period.

License

May require the possession of a valid California driver’s license and satisfactory driving record as determined by the City.

Other Requirements

Willingness and ability to work any shift in a 24 hour period, holidays, weekends, scheduled and emergency overtime, and be available for call back as required; attend classes during work and non-work hours as required; maintain the certifications necessary for this job classification; and wear a uniform and comply with departmental grooming standards.

Special Requirements

Essential duties may require the mental and/or physical ability to quickly read fine print, charts, graphs, maps, and computer monitors; see fine detail with no color deficiencies; hear and understand radio and telephone transmissions through headsets, handsets, and speakers, sometimes with interference, static, and background noises, such as with others talking in the room, audible traffic noise, and telephone ringing; hear a telephone ring when the bell unit is located 30' away; discern various tones, rhythms, and series of “beeps” through a headset and over a speaker; discern when a person is speaking with varying degrees of volume, such as shouting or whispering including emotional states; speak quickly in a clear, understandable voice with sufficient volume and tone quality to project effectively over radio, telephone, and in person; move quickly about the building or to other buildings, as needed; stamina to sit for long periods of time and to work long hours; operate computer keyboards and complex radio computer equipment; strength to safely lift and maneuver up to 40 pounds; and quickly bend, reach, climb step stools, and stoop.

Non-Exempt.