Public Safety Dispatcher I/II

The Position

The city of Rohnert Park is seeking to fill one (1) Full-Time Public Safety Dispatcher I/II. This recruitment will create an eligibility list for current future vacancies. Ideal candidates will possess high ethical standards, be committed to providing excellent, friendly customer service, be a team player, and have technical and computer skills. Entry level applicants who have completed the POST Dispatcher Basic course are desirable. We are also currently accepting applications for Lateral Dispatchers. To be considered as a lateral applicant, you must have a minimum of two years of dispatching experience within the last three years with a public agency, have successfully completed your Communications Training Program in your current agency, and possess a California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate. Hired Lateral Dispatchers will receive a $20,000 Recruitment and Retention Bonus as follows: $5,000 upon completion of communications training program, $5,000 upon completion of probationary period, and $10,000 upon completion of three years of service. Additional Paid Leave Incentives for New Lateral Public Safety Dispatchers as follows: initial annual leave bank of 40 hours on date of hire and initial annual accruals based on date of hire with prior agency for length of service. If you possess an Intermediate Dispatcher POST Certification, you will receive a 2.5 % Stipend, or if you possess an Advanced Dispatcher POST Certification, you will receive a 5.0% Stipend.

Application Procedures: To be considered for this exciting opportunity, please complete an online application and the required supplemental questions - go to and click on "Job Opportunities." It is important to complete all the required application materials. All applications will be screened for completeness and possession of minimum qualifications. Applications will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to interview. Work history must include all employment for the last ten years and electronically attach relevant certificates, i.e. POST Dispatcher Basic Course. Please note: You may submit a resume or other relevant documents to further describe your qualifications; however "see resume" will NOT meet the requirements of a "complete" application, including employment history, or be accepted in lieu of responses to supplemental questions. Be advised that your resume and other attachments not specifically requested by the City in order to apply for this position may not be used to determine your qualifications. If you need assistance applying online, please click on the Application Help/FAQs link:

Definition: Under general supervision, receives law enforcement, fire, medical, and other emergency calls and dispatches public safety units and other City resources following prescribed procedures; answers non-emergency calls for public safety and other City departments; performs a variety of general administrative support duties for the Department of Public Safety including record keeping, typing, and filing; and performs related work as required. Supervision Received and Exercised: Receives general supervision from the Public Safety Communications Supervisor. Functional direction is provided by a Public Safety Sergeant or other management personnel in the absence of the supervisor. Exercises no supervision of staff. Class Characteristics: This is a non-sworn public safety class series that performs the full range of receiving and dispatching emergency calls for the Department of Public Safety. Responsibilities are centered on extensive contact with the public over the telephone, in both emergency and non-emergency situations to receive, transmit, and provide factual information, forms, and reports. All activities must be performed within specified legal guidelines. Public Safety Dispatcher I: This is the entry-level classification in the Public Safety Dispatcher series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents with basic experience learn City systems, operations, practices, and procedures. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. Assignments may vary with the skill and training of the incumbent. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II-level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Public Safety Dispatcher II: This is the journey-level classification in the Public Safety Dispatcher series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the I-level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Work is normally reviewed upon completion and for overall results. Positions in the Public Safety Dispatcher class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the II-level are normally filled by advancement from the I-level after gaining the knowledge, skill, and experience, which meet the qualifications for, and after demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class. This class is distinguished from the Public Safety Communications Supervisor in that the latter is the full supervisory-level class in the series responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of staff on an assigned shift involved in police and fire dispatch services.

Ideal Candidate

Examples of Typical Job Functions (Illustrative Only) Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Receives and evaluates law enforcement, fire, medical, and other emergency calls, and related business calls for the City during an assigned portion of the 24-hours-per-day/7-days-per-week Department of Public Safety operations; provides information and/or transfers calls to the appropriate department, agency, or response organization. Dispatches public safety emergency units in accordance with established procedures and policies using a computerized dispatch system, including determining priority of emergency and contacting and sending appropriate response unit. Maintains contact with field units, including accounting for location and status of units and maintaining records of field calls; sends back-up units, as necessary, ensuring the safety of field units. Operates computer, telephone, and radio console and telecommunication equipment simultaneously while performing dispatching activities; tests and inspects equipment as assigned. Monitors security cameras in the Public Safety building and the area surrounding the building. Logs call data in a written or automated format; monitors calls after initial dispatch to provide additional coordination, support, or information. Enters, updates, and retrieves a variety of records from teletype database, including stolen vehicles and property, vehicle registration information, guns and property, and warranted or missing persons. Accesses Federal, State, and local law enforcement information databases to obtain information regarding outstanding warrants, criminal history, records information, and vehicle data; relays such information to sworn staff. Acts as a liaison to the public and representatives of other agencies for the department; provides initial non-emergency contact with the public and representatives of other agencies for the requesting of police records or related services; determines the nature of the contact; provides factual information regarding services, policies, and procedures, which requires a knowledge of legal guidelines, departmental policies and procedures, and the use of tact and discretion, or directs the caller to the proper individual or agency. Maintains accurate departmental and law enforcement records and files; researches and compiles information from such files. Attends necessary training, shift briefing sessions, participates in drills, and test scenarios to prepare for unexpected emergencies. Performs other duties as assigned. In performing the duties described above, the incumbent is expected to provide outstanding and friendly customer service, create and maintain a respectful and collaborative working environment, communicate honestly and behave in a manner that is ethical, legal and fiscally responsible, demonstrate care for the organization, customers, and coworkers, perform work of the highest quality possible, practice and encourage initiative and innovation to improve the workplace.

Qualifications and Requirements

Knowledge of: Functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies. Terminology and procedures used in public safety dispatching. Operation of computer-aided communications equipment, including multiple telephone lines and radio systems. City and County geography, maps, streets, landmarks, and driving directions. Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility. Principles and practices of data collection and report preparation. Business arithmetic and basic statistical techniques. Basic principles of record keeping. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff. The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination. Computers and software programs to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation. Ability to: Assess and prioritize emergency situations while remaining calm and using sound, independent judgment. Memorize codes, names, street locations, and other information. Read and interpret maps and other pertinent documentation. Interpret, apply and explain policies, procedures, and regulations. Attend to multiple activities simultaneously. Obtain necessary information from individuals in stressful or emergency situations. Compile and summarize information to prepare accurate, clear, and concise reports. Perform technical, detailed, and responsible office support work. Compose correspondence independently or from brief instructions. Organize, maintain, and update office database and records systems. Make accurate arithmetic and statistical computations. Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy. Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines. Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in