Police Dispatcher - Lateral

Police Dispatcher

The City of Walnut Creek is collecting applications from experienced law enforcement dispatchers to join the Police Department's Communications Division. This is not an entry-level opportunity; only Police Dispatchers with experience are eligible to apply. Salary The annual salary range for a Police Dispatcher is $99,871- $120,202. Placement in the salary range will depend on a candidate's qualifications. Lateral candidates are eligible to accrue General Leave (vacation and sick leave) based on prior experience and receive a bank of General Leave hours at time of hire, subject to the discretion of the Chief of Police. Closing Date This recruitment is ongoing and may close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or if vacancies have been filled.

What's great about this opportunity:

• Join a progressive and state-of-the-art department that values work-life balance, wellness, and career development;
• Enjoy meal facilities, a dispatch treadmill, an on-site gym, a strong working relationship with our officers, and no uniform requirement.

The Position Under general supervision, Dispatchers at the City of Walnut Creek work in the Communications Center receiving emergency calls and inquiries from the public, and dispatching police officers via the radio to calls for service. Walnut Creek Dispatchers dispatch for police only and have the opportunity for collateral assignments such as Tactical Dispatch, Social Media Team, Communications Training Officer, Peer Support Team Member, and Cadet Advisor. Additional responsibilities include:

• Deal effectively, professionally, and courteously with all contactsincluding police, emergency and service organizations, outside agencies, other City staff, and the publicand exercise tact and discretion at all times.
• Handle multiple work requests under pressure with frequent interruption, use sound judgment, and calm distressed community members during emergency situations in order to gather sufficient information to act appropriately and to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Operate multiple automated systems including CAD, radio system, phones, and multiple online jurisdictional databases and use various telecommunications equipment such as telephone, radio, and computer terminal.

Work Schedule This work group is staffed 24x7, 365 days a year. Dispatchers will work holidays, weekends, and overtime. Dispatchers working the swing shift receive an additional 2.5% pay differential, and those working the graveyard (overnight) shift receive a 5% pay differential. While shift assignments are generally made in order of seniority, all Police Dispatchers are assigned shifts as needed to meet staffing requirements. Dispatchers work a rotating two-week schedule illustrated by the following elements:

1. Week 1: 3 days, 12 hours each;
2. Week 2: 3 days, 12 hours each and 1 day, 8 hours;
3. With every other Sunday off.

Lateral Candidate Experience Requirements:

1. Graduation from high school, supplemented by coursework in communications, office administration, public safety, or a related field; AND
2. One (1) year of full-time, or its equivalent, experience within the last seven (7) years performing law enforcement dispatch duties at a California law enforcement agency or at least two (2) years of experience within the past two (2) years at an out of state law enforcement agency; AND
3. Experience operating a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system; AND
4. A passing score on the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery. The POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery results must be uploaded and attached to the application.

Important: The fourth requirement listed may be waived if the candidate's application shows they passed probation as a Dispatcher at a law enforcement agency. Those candidates eligible to waive the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery must attach the Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course documentation. Special Requirements:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, prior to employment, a Class C Driver's License and a good driving record.
• Computer Proficiency: Must have the ability to type at the corrected minimum rate of 40 words per minute.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. To be considered for this opportunity, please visit . All applicants will be notified by email as to whether or not they are invited to participate further in the selection process. Applications must comply with the Lateral Candidate Experience Requirements listed above in order to advance forward. Applications demonstrating the most desirable qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include an oral interview. Other test elements determined to be appropriate by the City may also be included. Applicants considered for appointment to this position will be subject to a thorough Police Department background investigation including a California Department of Justice and FBI fingerprinting, a credit check, a pre-placement medical exam including a drug screen, and a psychological evaluation. The City reserves the right to request a candidate to submit to a polygraph exam. If you have a disability as defined by state and federal law that could impact your participation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io to request a reasonable accommodation. Please provide the Human Resources Department with advance notice and every attempt will be made to consider your request. As required by law, all public employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers. As such, all City of Walnut Creek employees may be called upon to assist in the event of fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural or man-made disasters.

Benefits

The City of Walnut Creek provides a generous benefit package to employees in the Civilian Police Unit. A summary of key benefits is listed below. More information can be found on the benefit page of the City's website and in the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Walnut Creek and the Civilian Police Unit.

Health Benefits Choice of Kaiser or Blue Shield HMO or HDHP health insurance plans with generous City contribution.

Dental and Vision Plans Family coverage fully paid by the City.

Life Insurance and Long Term Disability Individual coverage fully paid by the City.

Retirement Program CalPERS 2% at 60 retirement plan OR for new employees hired after 1/1/2013 the benefit formula applicable under AB340 California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). Employee contribution of 7%*. * or contributions required under AB340 California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) 401(a) Money Purchase Plan with annual City contribution of $850. Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation and Retirement Health Savings plans are available. The City participates in the Medicare Program but does not participate in Social Security or the State Disability program.

Paid Leave and Holidays General Leave accrual starts at 20 days per year and progresses to 30 days per year at twenty-five years of service. There are twelve paid holidays per year and one floating DEIB holiday per year.

Dependent Care and Medical Spending Accounts Available to eligible employees on a voluntary basis.

Additional Benefits Tuition Reimbursement Program, Employee Assistance Plan, Wellness Program, Commute Alternative Program and others.