Public Safety Dispatcher - Lateral

Legal Updates; Oceanside (CA); On-site; USD 64,932 - 86,928; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lateral incentive payments

Leave banks for sick and vacation

Competitive salary

Job summary

A municipal government agency is seeking a compassionate and skilled Lateral Public Safety Dispatcher to join the Oceanside Police Department. This full-time role focuses on ensuring public safety through effective communication during emergency situations. Successful candidates must have prior experience as a Dispatcher, hold a California P.O.S.T. certificate, and excel in multitasking and maintaining calm under pressure. The position offers an annual salary of $64,932 to $86,928 and various lateral incentives upon hire and completion of the probation period.

Qualifications

• One year experience as a California law enforcement Public Safety Dispatcher.
• Typing certificate of 45 Net Words Per Minute with no more than five errors.
• California P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatch Certificate required.

Responsibilities

• Receive and evaluate incoming emergency calls.
• Dispatch police and fire personnel as needed.
• Maintain communication with field units during emergencies.

Skills

Emergency response communication

Typing accuracy

Geographical knowledge

Public relations

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

Radio communication devices

Computer terminals

Dispatch software

Job description

• Full Time - $64,932.00 - $86,928.00 Annually

THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Oceanside Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Lateral Public Safety Dispatcher. This is a crucial role in ensuring public safety, and we are looking for dedicated individuals to join our team. To qualify as a lateral dispatcher, candidates must be employed as a Dispatcher by a public safety agency, have successfully completed probation with their current agency with at least one year of experience, and possess a California P.O.S.T. certificate. Those not currently working as a Dispatcher for a public safety agency are encouraged to apply for the Entry-level Dispatcher position.

LATERAL INCENTIVE:

• $2,500 at time of hire
• $500 upon completion of probation period
• $1,000 anniversary payment – year 2
• $1,500 anniversary payment – year 3
• $2,000 anniversary payment – year 4
• $3,500 anniversary payment – year 5
• Up front leave bank of 400 hours to be used as sick leave
• Up front "other" leave bank of 80 hours to be used as vacation

* Payments will not be eligible for inclusion in the calculation of CALPERS retirement benefits. Under general supervision to receive and evaluate incoming administrative, emergency and 9-1-1 telephone calls for police and fire emergency and other calls for service, and to relay the requests to appropriate personnel; to dispatch appropriate police and fire personnel and equipment utilizing radios, telephone and/or alarm signal communications equipment; operate computer terminals; and to perform related work as required.

Oceanside, a beach community located 39 miles north of San Diego, has a population of more than 175,000. The Oceanside Police Department has an authorized budgeted strength of 228 sworn and 84 professional staff members, and handles approximately 110,000 calls for service each year.

Our motto, "Service With Pride", speaks to our focus of quality customer service and efficient service. We are committed to public safety and to implementing innovative crime-prevention techniques to ensure a safe and healthy community. Prospective employees will undergo and must successfully pass a thorough police background investigation which may include a psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, a medical examination and a drug screening.

Examples of Duties

The Public Safety Dispatcher operates RCS (800MHz) and VAF radio receivers and transmitters, telephone key modules, teletypewriters, computer terminal stations, alarm signal equipment, and other communications equipment; receives incoming telephone calls and evaluates requests for emergency services; elicits and records essential incident information from callers such as name, address, phone number, and a brief description of the incident; determines the priority and dispatches personnel and equipment for emergency service in accordance with department procedures; answers routine inquiries and refers calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies; maintains radio contact with field mobile units to coordinate emergency services, receives and transmits information; keeps command personnel informed of status of emergency situations; maintains records of communications activities; updates special files, street lists, and maps; tests communications equipment and reports malfunctions; assumes supervisory duties in the absence of the Communications Supervisor; performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and procedures involved in public safety communications work;
• Geography of the City and the location of streets and important buildings;
• Operation of radio/telephone receiving and transmitting equipment; and
• Computer terminal and Teletype operations. Rules, policies, and regulations regarding dispatching services
• Report writing; and
• Principles of functional supervision, training and dispatching operations.

Ability to:

• Understand English and speak it clearly in a well-modulated voice using good diction and appropriate grammar;
• Learn and apply Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations governing voice, radio and teletype communications;
• Effectively work under conditions of emergency;
• Make quick and appropriate determinations in all situations;
• Adjust quickly to changing situations and priorities;
• Maintain accurate records;
• Type accurately at a moderate speed;
• Accurately read and interpret maps;
• Remain courteous and calm while interacting with the public;
• Handle simultaneous calls;
• Listen and comprehend radio calls while talking on the phone; and
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Write clear, concise reports and instructions;
• Identify and implement efficient work practices and procedures;
• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities;
• Train others in the use of communications equipment.

Experience and Training

Experience:One year work experience as a California law enforcement Public Safety Dispatcher. Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

License/Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a valid California driver's license.
• A California P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatch Certificate.
• Typing certificate of 45 Net Words Per Minute, with no more than five (5) errors.

Note: Please attach copies of your California POST Basic Dispatch Certificate and your current typing certificate to the application. If you don't attach these two certificates, your application will not be considered.

Working Conditions and Selection Process

Environmental Conditions:Office environment; exposure to computer screens.

Physical Conditions:Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of time and the wearing of headsets while on duty.

Selection Process:All applications will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. The process will include a computer based examination to assess job-related experience and skills. Candidates who successfully complete the examination process will be placed on the eligibility list and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.

Note: Prospective employees will undergo and must successfully pass a thorough police background investigation which may include a psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, a medical examination and a drug screening.

Note: A current, five (5) minute typing certificate with a net of 45 Words Per Minute, with no more than five (5) errors issued within the last six months MUST be attached to the application. If it's not, your application will not be considered. You may obtain a typing certificate from employment/staffing agencies, adult schools, community colleges, or ROP programs. DUE TO THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES, ONLINE TYPING CERTIFICATES WILL BE ACCEPTED AS LONG AS THEY MEET THE REQUESTED CRITERIA LISTED ABOVE. Recommended online typing certificates sites: www.typing.com https://www.freetypinggame.net/free-typing-certificate.asp

RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.

CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTING PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.