Police Communications Dispatcher - Lateral (Continuous)

Police Communications Dispatcher

The City of Oakland is accepting applications to join the Oakland Police Department Communications Division. Come and join a wonderful team of professionals dedicated to serving the citizens of Oakland. Continue your dispatch career with the City of Oakland!

During training, working hours and days off vary. Dispatchers may work any of the three shifts in a 24-hour period; may be required to work a schedule with rotating days off; often work weekends, holidays, and overtime as required by emergencies or Departmental needs. This is a public contact position.

We are looking for someone who:

• possesses the ability to act promptly, logically, and decisively;
• can communicate clearly;
• is able to read, comprehend and retain information;
• will maintain a calm and professional demeanor even under stressful situations;
• has the ability to adapt to changing situations;
• is able to multi-task;
• is highly self-motivated; and
• will display a high level of integrity.

The sensitivity of the position calls for emotionally stable applicants. Applicants must have a satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen. Final candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation, a polygraph examination, and a medical examination. Excessive alcohol usage, drug abuse, a poor work record or any falsification of employment information are grounds for disqualification from employment consideration.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Receiving and screening telephone calls and recording data
• Analyzing calls for priority level
• Using computer-aided keyboard and data entry equipment or manually recording and relaying information (often of an emergency nature) to appropriate units
• Receiving, transmitting, and recording data
• Running queries in automated warrant information systems
• Answering questions from the public
• Dispatching from a mobile command center, as requested

A few reasons why you might love a career as a Police Communications Dispatcher:

• The work you do directly impacts the public and City of Oakland residents
• You will have the ability to demonstrate your honesty, moral and ethical decision-making skills
• In this role, you will use your fact-finding abilities to identify needs, make decisions, and address issues
• There are lots of opportunity for growth within the City of Oakland

A few challenges you may face as a Police Communications Dispatcher:

• You must remain calm to effectively handle high-stress situations
• This position requires that you are careful about details and thorough in completing tasks
• You will need to maintain composure when faced with callers in aggressive, angry, or emotional situations

Competencies Required:

• Analyzing & Interpreting Data : Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Attention to Detail : Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Customer Focus : Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability : Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Handling Stress : Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Learning Agility : Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to one's work
• Oral Communication : Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Professional Integrity & Ethics : Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Professional & Technical Expertise : Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Professional Impact : Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
• Teamwork : Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Using Technology : Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Writing : Communicating effectively in writing

Minimum Requirements for Application:

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable.

Education: Equivalent to graduation from high school

Experience: Three (3) years of full-time of responsible work experience as a Dispatcher in a law enforcement environment. Applicants shall not have had a break in service as a Dispatcher in a law enforcement environment greater than three years (36-months) prior to application.

Other Requirements:

• Applicants currently working in California as a Dispatcher in a law enforcement environment must possess a valid Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course Certificate issued the California P.O.S.T.
• Applicants currently working outside of California as a Dispatcher in a law enforcement environment must pass the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course within one year of appointment as a condition of continued employment.
• Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.

Bilingual Requirements: A select number of positions filled through this recruitment will require selective bilingual skills in one or more of the following languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish. Please note, identified bilingual skills will be tested prior to a final offer of employment. Candidates must pass the bilingual skills test to achieve placement on and/or remain on the bilingual skills eligible list. NOTE: Bilingual skills are not required for most positions.

Background Investigation, Psychological and Medical Assessment: Final candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation by the Oakland Police Department Backgrounds Unit which may include, but is not limited to:

• A thorough review of the completed Personal History Statement (PHS)
• A polygraph
• A criminal history check consisting of a fingerprint check with the California Department of Justice and FBI
• A drug history check (certain drug usage may result in an automatic disqualification)
• A credit history check
• Interviews with previous and past employers and co-workers
• Present and past neighborhood checks
• Education verification
• Driving record check
• Checks with Law Enforcement agencies in the area you live
• Military history (if applicable)

Unfavorable information revealed during the background investigation is grounds for rejection or discharge. After a conditional job offer is made, candidates will be assessed for compliance with Police Department medical and psychological standards. Any remaining background issues will be resolved during the post-offer phase. Character-related information discovered during the post-offer stage may be grounds for revocation of the conditional job offer and removal from hiring consideration. In addition, the City Physician will evaluate each candidate to determine their ability to meet the physical demands of the job. The medical exam includes a drug-screening test.

The Recruitment Process:

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the "minimum qualifications" listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the online Police Communications Dispatcher Typing Assessment (weighted pass/fail): The typing assessment will consist of three, five-minute timed typing tests. The scores attained on the three typing assessments will be averaged to determine candidate's average net WPM. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to type at least 35 average net words per minute. Note, a typing certification will NOT be accepted in lieu of the required typing assessment; all candidates are required to take and pass the typing assessment. Candidates are only permitted to participate in the typing assessment once every three (3) months. Candidates that pass the required typing assessment will be invited to participate in the CritiCall 3D Performance Assessment (weighted 100%).

The CritiCall 3D assessment will also include a confirmatory typing assessment. Candidates must participate in the City of Oakland's CritiCall 3D Performance assessment. Candidates must achieve passing scores in each section in order to advance in the recruitment process. Please note the required minimum passing score per module may not be the same as required by The Academy – each agency sets their own requirements