Police Dispatcher - Part-time, Non-Benefited

Police Dispatcher - Part-Time

The City of Buena Park is accepting applications for Police Dispatcher - Part-Time. This position is open to candidates who are currently working as a dispatcher for a law enforcement agency.

Are you interested in making a difference in the Buena Park community as a Police Dispatcher? Join a first-class law enforcement agency that values diversity and encourages taking personal responsibility and making individual contributions. With state-of-the-art facilities that includes large windows for natural light and ergonomic sit-stand dispatcher consoles, the Buena Park Police Department Communications Team offers a work environment unmatched in Orange County! Police Dispatchers are first responders who serve as the primary link between the public and police officers receiving 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls. If you are already trained as a dispatcher, are team-oriented, possess a strong work ethic, and have exceptional customer service and communication skills, APPLY TODAY!

General Purpose

Under general supervision, receives incoming calls for police assistance and dispatches necessary units; monitors and delivers information via radio communication systems to field personnel; monitors alarm systems and teletype communications; receives incoming telephone calls; assists the public and police personnel by providing accurate factual information; evaluates the type and level of response necessary; and does related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Police Dispatcher is responsible for organizing and completing tasks in priority order to meet statutory and non-statutory work deadlines. The Police Dispatcher is distinguished from the Police Lead Dispatcher, who is responsible for training dispatchers, coordinating assignments, and monitoring calls, while handling more difficult calls, and providing daily administrative support for an assigned shift.

Essential Functions

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

1. Receives 911 emergency calls from the public for police emergency services; evaluates information to determine location of the emergency and the appropriate personnel and equipment needed to respond; may route callers to proper agency for service.
2. Dispatches emergency units on the Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD) as necessary per established procedures.
3. Maintains contact with all units on assignment to determine their status and location.
4. Communicates with callers to determine the disposition of calls; provides assistance and instructions.
5. Contacts County and emergency management network agencies to coordinate mutual aid and call responses, and updates system data.
6. Operates a variety of telecommunications and computer equipment.
7. Monitors security cameras and alarms and initiates emergency responses in the event of unauthorized entries.
8. Answers non-emergency calls for assistance, screens calls, and routes calls to the appropriate personnel.
9. Enters, updates, and retrieves police related data from computer and teletype networks and inputs a daily log of all calls and field units involved.
10. Performs call-outs for a variety of resources such as animal control, towing services, medical assistance, and other specialized services.

Qualifications Guidelines

Knowledge of: Laws, codes, regulations, policies, and department procedures governing public safety dispatching, including radio, computer, and telephone communications, and associated receiving and transmitting equipment; ability to learn portions of the California Penal Code, Health and Safety Code, Motor Vehicle Code, Welfare Institutions Code, and Business and Professions Code and procedures and techniques for dealing with the public tactfully; effective customer service techniques.

Ability to: Effectively communicate with and obtain information from upset and/or irate citizens and remain calm in receiving urgent calls, reciting facts and details, and providing instructions within emergency situations; speak to callers courteously and tactfully; accurately and simultaneously monitor the status of multiple calls and units; simultaneously operate a variety of telecommunications and computer equipment such as the CAD system, computer equipment, telephones, radio transmitters, and teletype equipment; type at the net rate of 45 words per minute; spell correctly; learn the geography and the location of streets, landmarks and public and private facilities in and around the City of Buena Park; learn and apply police records management practices and procedures; understand and carry out oral and written directions; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, management, public safety dispatchers from other law enforcement agencies, and the general public.

Physical and Mental Demands

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is constantly required to sit and occasionally stand and walk within work areas. At the communications console, the employee is expected to lean, turn, and twist to reach console resources and reference manuals. The employee is expected to use fingers to operate computer keyboard and lightly grasp microphone and to reach above and below shoulder to access camera controls and resource books. The employee occasionally bends, kneels, and uses feet to operate radio microphone and console. The employee must be able to talk and hear when communicating with the general public, law enforcement personnel, and city staff.

Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee must be able to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; interpret policies and procedures; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with upset callers, including victims and witnesses in emergency situations, reporting potential crimes and requesting emergency care, working with city staff, law enforcement personnel, and the general public in handling non-emergency calls.

Work Environment

The employee regularly works in an office environment; the noise level is moderately quiet, at or below 85 decibels, and the noise volume is occasionally louder when multiple calls are being handled. The employee needs to monitor multiple frequencies and communications by radio, telephone, and the communications console, as well as alarms and security cameras.

Education/Training/Experience

High School graduation or G.E.D. equivalent is required. One year of public communications, clerical or related dispatch experience is required. Must be currently working as a dispatcher in a Law Enforcement Agency.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements

Satisfactory completion of the P.O.S.T Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course and possess a P.O.S.T Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course Certificate at the time of assignment. Ability to be assigned to rotating work shifts, including nights, holidays, and weekends, and to work overtime as needed. This position requires the ability to type at the net rate of 45 words per minute (wpm). An original typing certificate, predated up to one year, must be submitted along with the completed application. Acceptable typing certificates must meet all of the following requirements:

• The typing test must be a five (5) minutes time test. This must specify the net and gross speeds and total number of errors (gross speed – errors = net speed).
• Typing certificates must be in writing and obtained within the past 12 months.
• Certification must be verifiable and include a valid administrator's name, signature, address and telephone number.
• A copy of the typing certificate must be attached and submitted with your official City employment application to be considered for this position.

***SELF-ADMINISTERED TYPING TESTS PRINTED FROM THE INTERNET OR ANY OTHER SELF-ADMINISTERED TESTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ***

Applicant Information/Exam Weight

Applicants must submit a City application online through the Human Resources Department web page at Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City employment application.

The City of Buena Park is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.

Americans with Disabilities:

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io no later than 5 business days before the test date.

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