Police Dispatcher

Job TitleThe City of Livonia is an Equal Opportunity EmployerSalary Information$65,083.20 - $72,571.20 AnnuallyStarting Salary: $65,083.20After Six Months of Successful Employment: $66,081.60After One Year of Successful Employment: $67,308.80Maximum salary is achieved after three successful years of employment.NOTE: Annual salary adjustments may also occur, based on collective bargaining agreements.Job ResponsibilitiesEmployees in this classification work in the Communications Center of the Police Division under the general supervision of the duty officer in charge of the shift. Their work involves answering emergency 911 telephones; input of emergency incidents into the computer system; processing of computer assisted dispatch tasks; routing of emergency incidents to proper agencies; transmitting messages via voice and computer to patrol cars to dispatch them to the scene of accidents, crimes, or other occurrences; receiving messages from patrol cars; and calling for ambulance service. They also operate a teletype, keep records, prepare reports and perform related work as assigned. Physical requirements of this position include ability to lift and load/unload computer paper with a gross weight of approximately 30 pounds.Minimum Qualifications and Application ProcessBy the closing date of this announcement, an applicant must:Be a citizen of the United States or resident alien with the right to work in the United States; andHave a high school diploma or a valid equivalency certificate; andBe at least 18 years of age; andHave an acceptable voice quality level as determined in the voice modulation test; andHave keyboard skills that meet or exceed 35 wpm without error.NOTE: Prior public safety experience or graduation from a 911 Dispatch Academy is preferred, but not required. We seek candidates with excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to make good decisions under pressure and during emergencies, and the ability to interact with a diverse public. Candidates must have a working knowledge of a computer and its various functions. PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS Written Test - 40% Performance Keyboard Test - 20% Chief's Interview Panel - 40% Voice Modulation Test - Pass/Fail The 20 applicants who pass and score the highest on the written test will be invited to the performance keyboard test. At least 10 candidates with the highest combined passing written and performance test score will be invited to the interview part of the examination. Candidates who possess a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited college or university will have one point added to their final examination score. Candidates who have one or more years of full-time work experience as a public safety dispatcher will have two points added to their final examination score. Applicants must pass the written test, the performance keyboard test, the interview, and a voice modulation test to be placed on the eligible list.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesDemonstrated Knowledge of: Modern office practices and procedures; proper English usage, grammar usage, spelling, and punctuation; alphabetic, chronological, and numeric filing systems; effective communication techniques; community resources; map reading; and personal computer operating systems and software applications. Dispatchers must be able 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 or exceed 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.NOTE : At the time of appointment, applicants are required to pass a background investigation, a pre-employment medical examination and a psychological evaluation conducted by physicians authorized by the City of Livonia.PURPOSE : The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list to fill current, future, regular, and/or temporary vacancies.HOW TO APPLY : Applications can be completed anytime online at If work experience and/or specific skills are listed as qualifications, it will be the responsibility of the applicant to describe their experience and/or skills sufficiently in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application so that it may be determined if they meet the stated qualifications. Applicants who do not comply will be disqualified from further consideration. Attachments or resumes are not accepted in place of completing the information requested on the official application. Applicants will be notified by e-mail of the next steps in the examination process. PROBATIONARY PERIOD : Appointees must satisfactorily complete a one year probationary period before the appointment will be considered regular.BenefitsThe following is a brief overview of the benefits offered for this position. A new employee orientation will occur for each new employee and will include detailed information about the benefit offerings. PAID TIME OFF VacationSick LeavePersonal BusinessBereavement Leave Employees receive vacation and sick time based on their years of service. Upon completion of the first six months of employment, employees are also entitled to three personal business days each calendar year. There are thirteen paid holidays each calendar year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. Three out of every four years, Election Day is also a paid holiday. MEDICAL BENEFITS Medical and prescription drug coverage is offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and is available to employees and their eligible dependents. An employee has the choice between three Community Blue PPO plans and pays a monthly premium determined annually during each open-enrollment period which is in January of each year. New employees are eligible for medical coverage the first of the month following 30 days of employment. The City also allows full-time employees who have health insurance through another provider to opt out of the City's medical coverage and receive $1,000 per year (paid monthly) in lieu of coverage. DENTAL & VISION Dental and vision insurance are also available for regular employees through Delta Dental and EyeMed, respectively. The employee pays a monthly premium determined annually during each open-enrollment period which is in January of each year. New employees are eligible for these insurances the first of the month following employment. LIFE INSURANCE The City offers a life insurance policy for its employees that is at no cost to the employee. The coverage amount is equal to the employee's annual pay rate rounded to the next higher even thousand, unless it already is an even thousand, and add $1,000. Coverage begins the first of the month following 30 days of employment. DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN – POLICE OFFICERS The City offers a Defined Benefit plan for all newly hired Police Officers with a minimum contribution from both the City and employee of 4% which begins immediately upon hire. Additional contributions from both the City and employee may be required depending on actuarially determined costs. Retirement eligibility is at any age with 25 years of service or age 52 with 15 years of service. The multiplier is 2.5% of base wages for each credited year of service with a multiplier cap of 75% of base wages. Employees may also participate in a Deferred Compensation (457) plan. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN - DISPATCHERS For Dispatchers, the City offers a Defined Contribution (401a) plan. Employees contribute 5% with a contribution rate of 12% from the City. Contributions for new employees begin six months from the date of hire. The City's contributions and earnings on those contributions are vested after four years of service