Public Safety Communicator Lateral (911 Dispatcher Lateral)

Public Safety Communicator/911 Dispatcher - Lateral

The City of Gilroy is recruiting for the full-time position Public Safety Communicator in the Police Department. This recruitment is for the lateral position requiring two and one-half years of related public safety dispatching work experience. The general goal of the Communications Unit is to provide 24 hour emergency communication response for all police, fire, and medical emergency calls for service in a courteous and professional manner.

Under the direct supervision of the Communications Supervisor and under the functional supervision of the Watch Commander, answer emergency and routine calls from the public for Police, Fire, and medical assistance and general service and dispatch necessary personnel and equipment, perform other related duties as required. Work shifts including weekends, holidays, nights and evening hours.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have strong prior experience serving as a 911 dispatcher for a busy community.
• Have experience dispatching both police and fire personnel to calls for service.
• Have a heart for public service with the ability to use compassion and empathy with callers when appropriate and needed.
• Have experience handling complex and challenging calls for service.
• Be skilled in handling difficult calls in a calm and professional manner.
• Have excellent interpersonal and professional customer service skills.
• Have superb listening skills and the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Be adaptable to changing situations; work well under pressure, and be comfortable making quick or critical decisions.
• Possess strong multi-tasking skills.
• Be proficient with computers and with the use of software and technology, including systems specific to public safety services.
• Have participated in "sit-alongs" with the City of Gilroy Police Department Communications Unit.
• Have a willingness to learn and improve on skills and be receptive of constructive feedback.
• Be able to work all shifts (days, swings, graveyards), all days of the week, and holidays.

Additional steps (Step F, Step G, and Step H) included in the salary range listed above are available to employees in this job classification after completion of five years of service (Step F), ten years of service (Step G), and 15 years of service (Step H), and one year at the prior step, and good performance evaluation. Placement in the Step A - Step E portion of the salary range is based on years of directly related public safety communicator work experience.

Compensation, benefits, and additional information:

Persons appointed to this position on a full-time basis will receive the following benefits: Health Allowance and Flexible Benefits Plan, depending upon the number of dependents the health allowance ranges from $939.36 to $2,480.68 per month for core health benefits. Subject to specific rules, a cash back program is also available with proof of other medical coverage. City employees participate in the PERS Health Program, and may choose their medical coverage from a variety of providers. The City's flexible benefits plan includes medical and dental coverage as core benefits. A range of optional benefits including vision care, medical and dependent care accounts are also available. A term life insurance policy equal to $100,000 as of July 1, 2017 per MOU, long-term disability plan, and an employee assistance plan are currently provided at City expense.

Other benefits include the PERS 2.5% at 55 pension plan for "classic" members and 2% at 62 for "new" members. Currently, the city pays the full employer portion of the retirement contribution for "classic" members and 50% of the total normal cost for "new" members. The "classic" member contribution of 8% is a pre-tax payroll deduction; "new" members shall pay 50% of the total normal cost as set by CalPERS. Anyone hired on or after January 1, 2013 will be subject to the applicable provisions, retirement formulas, and plan benefits/restrictions associated with the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013.

Annual vacation ranges from two to four weeks per year, based on years of City of Gilroy service. Employees accrue eight hours of sick leave each month. Employees receive 20 hours of personal leave time in July of each fiscal year which must be used during the fiscal year (pro-rated based on hire date), and 6.6% of base salary as holiday pay in lieu of holidays off. Dependent upon assigned work hours, shift differential pay may apply. Employees who are bilingual in Spanish/English may receive 5% bilingual pay following testing. Employees receive a monthly uniform allowance of $41.67 towards the purchase of required uniforms, and newly hired employees receive an initial uniform allowance of $250.00. Employees participate in Medicare (1.45% for both the employer and employee) as this is a mandated federal program. City of Gilroy does not participate in Social Security. All City employees are paid monthly, on the first business day of each month for the prior calendar month via direct deposit. Persons appointed to this position on a full-time basis are covered by the AFSCME General Unit Memorandum of Understanding and Supplemental Agreements.