Public Safety Dispatcher (Part-time Experienced)

Salary : $73,008.00 - $97,843.20 Annually
Location : Port of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Part-time
Job Number: FY 23/24 #00242
Department: Harbor Police & Public Safety Branch
Division: Harbor Police Department
Opening Date: 04/17/2025


Description
The Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department seeks your interest in a unique career opportunity as an experienced Part-Time Public Safety Dispatcher. A Public Safety Dispatcher is responsible for all incoming telephone calls to the Police Department, including 9-1-1 calls; handling the Police Radio; and documenting all activities in a computer-aided dispatch program while operating multiple computer systems.
The ideal candidate has the following characteristics and skills:

• 2 or more years of experience as a public safety dispatcher in a law enforcement agency
• Exceptional multi-tasking ability
• Strong decision-making ability in a high stress environment
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness
• A team-player mentality and perspective; adaptable, dependable, and highly productive
• Thrives in a fast-paced, intellectually challenging environment
• Capable of handling the unexpected in a competent manner.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision, receives, evaluates and transmits emergency and non-emergency voice radio and telephone communications for the Harbor Police Department; dispatches public safety equipment and personnel in accordance with established policies and procedures; maintains records and logs; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Positions in this class perform journey-level work in the Harbor Police Department dispatching routine and emergency equipment and personnel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

1. Answers multiple telephone lines, including 9-1-1, emergency, and business lines, and monitors Port of San Diego and marine radio frequencies to receive reports of emergency calls for service involving public peace and safety, including crimes in progress, medical emergencies, and fire incidents; receives reports of non-emergency calls for service including disturbances, traffic complaints, and crimes that have already occurred; receives and responds to requests for information.
2. Elicits information from callers to ensure a proper response; documents complaints; determines appropriate jurisdiction; decides and takes proper action to resolve complaints; determines dispatch priorities.
3. Dispatches routine and emergency calls for service via radio to field personnel, including patrol officers, traffic officers, medics, and airport operations; maintains constant awareness of the location and activity of field personnel to ensure officer safety; monitors several police radio frequencies to maintain awareness of emergency situations occurring in and around District jurisdiction.
4. Documents all information and retrieves information from the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system; conducts computer inquiries in several law enforcement databases to determine wants and warrants on persons, vehicles, and property; deciphers information received from these databases; operates deaf telephone equipment (TTY).
5. Maintains a working knowledge of laws and regulations from the State of California, Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission as well as internal policies and procedures.
6. Operate a variety of public safety communications equipment including a multi-channel radio, 9-1-1 emergency telephone equipment, computer aided dispatch system, instant recall recorders, marine radio, and a fire pager.
7. Perform related duties as assigned

Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

1. Standard office practices and procedures.
2. Basic conflict resolution methods and techniques.
3. Basic customer relations' methods and practices applicable to a public safety dispatch function.

Ability to:

1. Speak and communicate clearly and concisely and modulate voice appropriately (in English).
2. Elicit and explain information effectively and accurately to a wide variety of callers, including law enforcement, medical and fire personnel, local government officials and the public.
3. Reason clearly, analyze situations accurately, and adopt and develop effective courses of action under emergency and non-emergency situations.
4. Maintain professional demeanor and response in handling sensitive, provocative and/or emergency calls/callers.
5. Multitask and handle several telephone calls, radio transmissions, and computer functions simultaneously.
6. Record and relay numerous details accurately during routine phone calls as well as from callers under duress.

Recruitment Information
The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training, and experience relative to the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.

Only qualified applicants who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the assessment process which may be administered by a written examination, panel interview, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of Human Resources to be appropriate. The Department of Human Resources will make reasonable accommodation in the examination process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.

Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for one or more of the assessments listed below. Passing score is 70% out of 100% on each assessment section.


THE APPRAISAL PANEL (100%) WILL BE SCHEDULED PERIODICALLY UNTIL THE VACANCY IS FILLED. THOSE CANDIDATES INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN ASSESSMENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE DATES.

To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our website If applicable, please attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts (indicating when degree was awarded) to your application or your application may be considered incomplete. All applicants must also attach their valid POST certificate. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application.
This is a part-time position and medical benefits and retirement plans do not apply.

Placement on Eligible List:

The Department of Human Resources may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the assessment process. Candidates who are successful in all phases of the assessment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for a minimum of ninety (90) days or up to one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to Rule 8, Section 4. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT


OPPORTUNITY

The District firmly believes in, and is committed to, the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination. It is the policy of the District to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to age (40 and above), ancestry, color, disability (mental or physical), gender (including identity, appearance, or behavior, whether or not that identity, appearance, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's sex at birth), marital status, medical condition, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Experience:

At least two years current or recent experience in a California law enforcement agency as an emergency call taker AND radio operator (must be law enforcement dispatching). Experience in operation of a computer aided dispatch system (CAD) is required.

Education: Educational achievement equivalent to graduation from high school supplemented by specialized training in communications, public safety dispatch or related field.

Special Requirements:

Complete 24 hours of POST required continuing professional training every two (2) years.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

California POST Basic Dispatcher certificate is required.


Certain assignments may require a valid driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District's vehicle insurance program.

Must successfully pass a complete background investigation to include a police records check, employment history, credit history, education history, polygraph examination, neighborhood check and reference check. Must successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination, psychological examination, and drug screen.
Medical and retirement benefits are not offered for this position.
01


What is your highest level of education?

• Less than a high school diploma
• High school diploma or GED
• An Associate's Degree or higher

02


How many years of current or recent California law enforcement agency experience do you have as an emergency call taker AND radio operator do you have?

• Less than two years
• Two years
• Three years or more

03


Do you have experience with law enforcement systems such as SDLaw and ARJIS?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you possess a valid California POST Basic Dispatcher certificate?

• Yes
• No

05


Did you attach your valid California POST Basic Dispatcher certificate to your application. You will not move forward in the process if you do not attach your valid California POST Basic Dispatcher certificate or if you certificate is expired.

• Yes
• No

06


Do you have law enforcement dispatching experience in the San Diego region?

• Yes
• No

Required Question