Public Safety Dispatcher

Public Safety Dispatcher

Positions hired from April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028 in the Lateral Public Safety Dispatcher class with a minimum of two (2) or more years of public safety dispatching experience may be eligible for up to a $7,500 bonus incentive.

Under general supervision, learn and understand City Police Department dispatching policies, methods, and procedures; receive emergency and non-emergency calls for service through 911, radio, phone, and other communications media; dispatch law enforcement, fire, and other public safety personnel and equipment; provide telecommunications support and incident coordination for field units; learn and serve as call taker for the City of Clovis 911 Public Safety Answering Point; assist with other non-emergency responsibilities when assigned; perform general office support assignments; help and serve people in need; and to perform related work as required.

Positions in this class work in a team setting with other Public Safety Dispatchers using radio equipment, and computers where incumbents may be required to handle several emergencies simultaneously. Incumbents work under the guidance of a Lead Public Safety Dispatcher, and under the general supervision of a Communications Supervisor. Incumbents receive thorough instructions when tasks are initially assigned and after training are expected to perform duties without constant supervision. Work is reviewed by the Lead Public Safety Dispatcher, Communications Supervisor, or the Watch Commander while in progress. Incumbents are expected to refer most variations in dispatch work to the supervisor for instructions.

Receive and respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire, medical, and other related services over phone, 911, radio, and other communications media; respond rapidly to inquiries and requests to ensure proper dissemination of information and dispatch police, fire units, and other public service entities to public safety incidents; interview callers to evaluate location, and the nature and urgency of their situation; request all pertinent information; classify incidents; establish dispatch priorities; investigate law enforcement history pertaining to people and addresses to prepare officers for the situation they will be encountering; query information and provide telecommunications support, using the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) and other local, regional, national, and international databases to determine alerts and requests for people and property; provide information to support officers and other public safety personnel in the field using a variety of computerized and manual information systems; coordinate and maintain contact with other agencies to assist field personnel in managing and resolving requests and public safety issues, as required and coordinate or transfer requests for emergency and non-emergency medical services with other emergency service providers; transfer calls to other units or agencies as warranted; monitor and broadcast public safety radio transmissions to facilitate communication flow; enter, update, modify, and clear incident data and other related information into the computer-aided dispatching (CAD) system, records management systems (RMS), California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS), and other computer systems and databases as required; maintain incident records, cards, and logs including handwriting, documenting, and time stamping conversations on the radio and during calls; as directed by a supervisor duplicate recordings of radio and phone communications for court or other purposes; call out special teams and make other notifications as required; operate communications center equipment including but not limited to phones, radios, computers, and printers; monitor locations on multiple computer screens and verify safe status of public safety units; relay information to other appropriate agencies regarding hazards; maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and city regulations; confirm out of agency warrants and abstract warrants issued by the City of Clovis Police Department; respond to routine phone requests from the public for information; brief oncoming dispatchers of shift action at end of shift; answer questions and provide information to the public; monitor and relay information obtained through the City of Clovis camera system; and to perform related work as required.

License Required: Possession of a valid California Driver's License and a good driving record; Possession of valid typing certificate or documentation for a minimum of forty (40) net words per minute; Completion of the POST Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course training during the first year of service.

Education and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent; Education desirable: Bachelor's Degree; Three (3) years of experience involving public contact work.

Work is primarily sedentary. Hearing: Acute to hear in person, radio, phone, or telephone head-set. Strength: Light work-lifting, carrying, and/or pushing 25 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds in the office environment; medium work-lifting, carrying, and/or pushing 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds in the outdoor/driving environments. Vision: Corrected to normal. Other physical requirements: Clear verbal communication, feeling, finger dexterity, frequent grasping and holding, reaching, talking, and balancing. Environment: Primary job functions are performed in an office environment other duties are performed in outdoor and driving environments; incumbents assigned to the outdoor/driving environments are required to work in all weather conditions with the ability to work outdoors when over 100 degrees in the summer and in the cold and rain during the winter months. Working conditions: Work is subject to simultaneous emergency situation evaluation; ability to attend periodic evening meetings or meetings outside of regularly scheduled shift; and work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays.