Police Dispatcher (Lateral)

Position Summary

This position is for current (lateral) dispatchers who work in a public safety communications center. A public safety communications center refers to any local, state or federal agency involved in the prevention of and protection from events that could endanger the safety of the general public. Dispatchers receive, evaluate, and transmit emergency and routine voice radio messages via telephone, and teletype and automatic alarm; dispatch required equipment and personnel in accordance with standard policies and procedures; maintain records; and perform related work as required. This is a full journey level class within the Police Dispatcher series and has the ability to perform a full range of duties assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance as unique situations arise. This class is distinguished from the Police Dispatcher Trainee in that the latter is an entry-level position that works under immediate supervision while learning job tasks. Newly-hired employees in this position may receive up to $5,000 relocation allowance for expenses incurred for the relocation of the employee and their immediate family to San Diego County. Additionally, this position is eligible for the Employee Referral Program. Eligible employees that make a successful referral will receive either 16 hours of leave or a referral payment of up to $3,000.

Essential Functions: Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: receive service requests by telephone on 911 emergency and business lines; obtain information on the nature of the request/emergency, the location, and telephone number of caller, name of caller and other pertinent information; remaining on the line with victim in emergency, as appropriate and creating a record of the information; analyze requests for police service, determine priority ranking of each request and the kind and level of service to be dispatched in initial response; determine available units to dispatch; dispatch personnel and equipment according to standard operational procedures, instructions from a superior or by individual judgment as required; refers difficult or extremely serious calls to supervisor; listen to each radio transmission from police personnel in the field, acknowledges and complies with request for action or information; keep superiors informed of emergency situations and general activities; place telephone calls to other police jurisdictions, City departments, City emergency crews, vehicle tow companies, ambulance services, coroner, relatives of victims, telephone and utility companies, alarm company, traffic signal maintenance and other services concerning an emergency; maintain detailed records of the time and nature of each call; operate computer aided dispatch system equipment, TDD and other office equipment; operate teletype and computer terminal to check for registered owners of vehicles and other information; refer to maps and reference materials to secure information needed by personnel in the field and for the dispatch function; take reports and relays messages by radio or telephone; maintains a log of radio calls received and transmitted; type, issue case numbers, log departmental activities and perform routine clerical work; assist in monitoring activity in jail cells via a closed circuit TV system; maintain law enforcement resources status and activity file in the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) computer; may instruct other personnel in the techniques and use of communications equipment; may perform minor or routine upkeep and maintenance of equipment; and perform other duties related to this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and/or experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: two years of responsible clerical, administrative, public information or emergency service including radio-telephone communications work (work experience in public safety field is highly desirable) or successful completion as a Police Dispatcher Trainee with the City of Chula Vista and training equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. A valid typing certificate MUST be attached to your application at the time of submission. Please note that required certificate must reflect the ability to type at a rate of 40 net words per minute or higher and with 5 errors or less. On-line certificates showing the percentage of accuracy or error (example: 85% accuracy or 30% error) are unacceptable. The typing certificate must be issued within one year prior to our receipt of your application. Note: Self-certification using keyboard software or on-line typing certificates, will not be accepted.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Knowledge of: basic terminology used in radio and telephone communications; operation of communication equipment, including telephone, radio, paging, computer and related systems; geographic features and boundaries of the Chula Vista area; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; computerized data entry and retrieval systems used in dispatch communication and operations. Ability to: learn City dispatch codes, policies and procedures; memorize codes, names, locations and other detailed information; attend to multiple activities and sources of input simultaneously during stressful situations; obtain complete and accurate information from individuals who during emergency situations may be emotionally distraught, angry or difficult to understand; remain calm and make rapid and sound independent judgments in stressful emergency situations; effectively operate the computer-aided dispatch system, display terminals, radio dispatching consoles, and associated equipment; read and interpret street maps; analyze and evaluate emergency situations as required to prioritize calls and to anticipate/determine the needs of responding personnel; make sound decisions using available information; read and interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; while handling critical incident calls, accomplish tasks in a controlled, effective manner; work days, evenings, and nights, rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed; type at a speed of at least 40 NWPM; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; and work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner. Physical Demands and Working Conditions: On a continuous basis, sit at a communications console for prolonged periods of time. Intermittently twist and reach office equipment; write and use keyboard to communicate through written means; wear a telephone headset and be able to hear, distinguish and understand voices with background noise present; verbally communicate effectively with other individuals over the radio or telephone or in person; visually able to read and work on multiple video display terminals simultaneously. Primary work is performed indoors in a carpeted and air-conditioned office environment at a communications console having a computer display terminal. Work is generally performed in an area with fluorescent lighting and moderate noise level. Some movement is required from office to office and there is exposure to the external environment when going to outlying offices.

Additional Information

Recruitment No. 26518107 This recruitment is open until a sufficient number of applications are received and may close at any time without prior notice. Applicants are encouraged to submit a City Application, Supplemental Questionnaire, and Typing Certificate as soon as possible. Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via e-mail. Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration. Note that the examination materials for this recruitment are validated, copyrighted and/or inappropriate for review. The eligibility lists established as a result of this recruitment will be for a duration of six (6) months, unless otherwise extended. Pre-Employment Background Investigation Successful candidates must undergo a thorough background investigation. There are certain types of conduct which are automatic grounds for disqualification. Please review the "Pre-Employment Disqualifying Criteria" which identify some of the common areas of the background investigation process that may cause delay or prevent you from competing in the selection process.