Reserve Emergency Dispatcher

City of Lemoore; Lemoore (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Lemoore seeks a Reserve Emergency Dispatcher to support the Police Department’s emergency and non-emergency communications. The position serves as a part-time relief dispatcher, working on-call across various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, under close supervision.

Responsibilities include operating CAD/CLETS/911 systems, dispatching public safety units, monitoring frequencies, and maintaining accurate records.

Qualifications

• Must be able to work under pressure in emergencies and calmly coordinate dispatch.
• Ability to multitask while monitoring multiple public safety frequencies and data systems.
• Strong communication skills for relaying information clearly to field units and agencies.
• Excellent record-keeping and data entry accuracy.
• Map reading and geographic awareness of Lemoore and Kings County.
• Knowledge of public safety dispatch procedures and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Receives and dispatches routine and emergency calls to law enforcement, fire, medical services, and other agencies.
• Monitors radio frequencies and coordinates units to scenes.
• Dispatches appropriate units using CAD and radio systems.
• Maintains information accuracy and relays critical data to field personnel.
• Performs clerical tasks including data entry and statistics computations.
• Complies with all safety and departmental procedures.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Multitasking

Clear communication

Attention to detail

Map reading

Public safety dispatch

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CAD systems

CLETS

911 systems

Job description

DEFINITION

The Reserve Emergency Dispatcher is utilized in the Police Department, which provides full emergency and non-emergency communications and dispatch services to law enforcement, fire protection, medical services, and other public safety agencies. Under general supervision, to operate a variety of communications and dispatch equipment in receiving, monitoring and transmitting routine and emergency messages; to dispatch public safety equipment and personnel during emergencies; and to perform related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Reserve Emergency Dispatcher serves as a part time relief Public Safety Dispatcher. A Reserve Emergency Dispatcher performs the routine tasks and duties assigned to a Emergency Dispatcher I, working on-call and subject to various shifts and workday assignments including nights, weekend and holidays. They receive training in the operation of a variety of complex electronic and telecommunications equipment used to dispatch public safety and public service personnel and equipment to emergency and non-emergency situations while under close and continuous supervision.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives supervision from the Senior Emergency Dispatcher and other supervisory personnel.

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS

Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions

1. Receives and dispatches routine and emergency telephone and radio communications from law enforcement, fire protection, medical services, and other public safety agencies; according to department procedures and practice, determines the proper jurisdiction, equipment and personnel to be dispatched
2. Monitors several public safety frequencies
3. May monitor fire and burglar alarm systems
4. Coordinates efforts with other public safety agencies as required
5. Uses radio and other equipment to dispatch appropriate units to the scene of an emergency
6. Provides information to field personnel responding to fire alarms such as location of water supply, fire hazards, response routes, etc.
7. Maintains radio contact with local units on assignment and with personnel from other agencies
8. Responds to National Warning System alerts
9. Operates teletype terminals and other data communications equipment to send, receive and record information
10. Performs a variety of clerical work including computation of statistics and data entry
11. Perform related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR LEVEL I AND LEVEL II

Knowledge of

• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Cities, location of highways, main streets, major buildings and geography of the City of Lemoore and general areas of Kings County
• Maps and map reading
• Proper English grammar, vocabulary and spelling

Ability to

• React quickly, appropriately and calmly in emergency situations, adopting effective courses of action
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Exhibit good mental retention of information
• Accurately and quickly interpret maps and be able to properly identify the locations of major landmarks, cities, highways, main streets, major buildings, and the geography of the City of Lemoore and general areas of Kings County
• Flexibly alternate attention among a variety of tasks
• Exercise tact, courtesy and patience in public contacts
• Exercise sound judgment in situations with a high consequence of error
• Take accurate messages and relay exactly as received
• Follow oral and written instructions
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Write neatly and legibly
• Maintain accurate records
• Make basic mathematical computations
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships
• Follow safe work practices including workplace safety policies and procedures
• Properly use personal protective equipment as directed and trained
• The ability to multitask within the scope of responsibility is essential.
• Incumbents must dispatch and monitor for Fire, Law Enforcement, Animal Control, and other agencies and/or cities.
• Incumbents must simultaneously operate and monitor multiple automated systems including the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems, California Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (CLETS) and 911 systems
• Complete continuing education courses to maintain registration, licensure, or certifications

Special Requirements

• Ability to type at a minimum speed of 40 words per minute and use a computer keyboard with speed and accuracy at a level sufficient to perform the duties of the position
• Ability to work irregular hours and variable shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and overtime
• Ability to qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check
• Speak and enunciate clearly and with appropriate volume over radio and telephone
• Ability to hear telephone conversations and normal radio communications with static or weak transmissions
• Work at computer consoles in a standing or sitting position for extended periods of time
• Designated as “First-Responder” in local, state or national emergency

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• One year of full-time, paid experience involving extensive telephone contact or one year of two-way radio communication experience; and computer experience or training involving data entry and word processing. (Substitution: Two years of varied clerical experience involving extensive public contact may substitute for the required telephone contact experience only.)

Training

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

License or Certificate

Incumbents appointed to this classification are required to successfully complete the Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified Public Safety Dispatchers Basic Course within one year of date of hire to remain in the classification.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid C.L.E.T.S. training certificate through the Department of Justice.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions

Office environment; exposure to computer screens.

Physical Conditions

Primarily works in a highly controlled access facility where public entry is heavily restricted; sit/stand for extended periods of time at a desk and/or computer terminal without the ability to alternate positions; typing on a computer or keyboard on a routine basis; communicate orally, in person, on the phone and over radios; hear telephone conversations and normal radio communications with static or weak transmissions; visual ability to distinguish colors on Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) machines; routine visual ability for reading, watching, driving, and viewing computer screens.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Veteran's Preference Application (Download PDF reader)

Applicants must submit the request form and certified DD-214 prior to the closing date.

A typing certificate verifying 40 wpm, dated within six (6) months of application submittal must be uploaded with online application (online typing certificates are NOT accepted).

Selection Process: Applications received by the filing date will be reviewed for accuracy, completeness and job related qualifications. Persons whose applications clearly demonstrate they meet the requirements may be invited to participate in the selection process— which may be any combination of written, oral and/or performance exams. A passing score of 80% or more is required to advance to the next phase of the recruitment process.