Police Dispatcher Entry-Level

Police Dispatcher

Competitive monthly cafeteria benefit plan contribution for medical benefits!

Bilingual incentive pay, educational incentive pay, POST certificate incentive pay and so much more!

This is a continuous posting and job posting may close at any time. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The City of Antioch is currently accepting applications for the Police Dispatcher position located within the Antioch Police Department. The Police Dispatcher evaluates response necessary as dictated by a given request for service.

Benefits: Cafeteria Plan (City of Antioch pays 100% of Kaiser rate, up to family tier) | CalPERS Medical Health Plans | Vision (VSP) | Dental (Delta Dental)

Retirement: CalPERS Classic Members 2.7% @ 55, New PEPRA Members 2% @ 62

457 Deferred Compensation Option

Life Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Full gym on premises

Information on candidate background and medical screening information may be found on the POST public safety dispatcher candidate selection standards website: Public Safety Dispatcher Selection Standards

To be considered a lateral applicant, you must have at least two (2) years of employment as a police dispatcher in the state of California.

This recruitment is to establish a 12-month eligibility list. This recruitment can close at any time so candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.

POST dispatcher written exam is TBD, additional exam information may be found via the POST website: Public Safety Dispatcher Entry-Level Test Battery Applicant FAQs, and study guide may be found directly on the POST website: Entry Level Dispatcher Selection Battery Examinee Guide

New! NTN online exam scores are now being accepted, additional information on how to take the NTN online may be found Public Safety Careers | Firefighter Jobs | Police Officer Jobs | National Testing Network

Oral board interviews are TBD; the City of Antioch reserves the right to modify this schedule.

The Commission on P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery: The Commission on POST dispatcher exam is a standardized test designed to measure the verbal, reasoning, memory, and perceptual abilities necessary for public safety dispatcher work. It is a requirement for candidates seeking employment in this field and is part of the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery. The exam consists of eleven brief tests that assess various abilities, including the ability to quickly and accurately compare letters and numbers presented orally and in written form, and the ability to shift back and forth between two or more sources of information. The entire test battery takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to complete, including a short break. The POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery Examinee Guide provides information about the test. Because the test measures general abilities, there is no study guide or reading list for the test. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the test formats shown in the Examinee Guide. If you are not accustomed to test-taking in general, or if you tend to get tense in testing situations, you may find it helpful to practice doing activities similar to those described in the Examinee Guide.

Now accepting online NTN scores: National Testing Network directly contracts with public safety departments across the country to test candidates for jobs. Once a candidate completes this simple online process, information and test scores will be sent directly to each department. Applicants may submit their NTN scores directly to the City of Antioch via the NTN website Emergency Communications Jobs | Find Public Safety Jobs | National Testing Network.

Summary description: Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties involved in receiving, evaluating, prioritizing, and relaying 9-1-1, emergency, and non-emergency calls for service for the cities of Antioch and Brentwood, as well as Antioch Animal Control; inputs calls into CAD (computer aided dispatch); dispatches appropriate units and coordinates response of emergency personnel; operates a variety of telecommunications equipment including radio, telephone, and computer aided dispatch systems; and performs a wide variety of specialized clerical duties involved in the preparation, maintenance, and release of materials related to law enforcement activities.

Examples of Duties

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Receive, classify, and prioritize all incoming calls to the dispatch center including 9-1-1 calls, emergency, and non-emergency calls received from citizens and allied agencies requesting service or information; operate a variety of public safety communications equipment including 9-1-1 emergency telephone equipment, computer aided dispatch systems, and multi-channel radio system.
2. Evaluate response necessary as dictated by a given request for service; determine nature, location, and priority of calls; operate computer aided dispatch system to create calls for service within response criteria guidelines; assign and dispatch personnel in accordance with policies and procedures; transfer calls to other appropriate agency in accordance with established procedures; obtain and dispatch other support services as necessary.
3. Maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of field units; monitor multiple radio frequencies; relay emergency and non-emergency information to public safety personnel in the field.
4. Retrieve information from local, state, and national computer networks regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, restraining orders, criminal histories, parolees, and other related information; relay information to officers in the field.
5. Operate computer terminals to enter, modify, and retrieve data such as stolen and recovered property, towed and stolen vehicles, missing and unidentified persons, citations, field interviews, driver license and vehicle registration information, and warrants on wanted persons; compose and transmit messages to other agencies.
6. Enter and remove data and information from various local, statewide, and national law enforcement computer systems including the Records Management System (RMS), Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), and National Crime Information Center (NCIC); provide support to officers by gathering information from various computer systems including DMV, CLETS, and the County's system.
7. Notify and dispatch Antioch and Brentwood Public Works staff, and Antioch Animal Control Officers for after hours call outs.
8. Monitor the County Warning Systems Computer (CWS).
9. Implement Amber Alerts and Code 666's.
10. Monitor the security cameras and security doors inside and surrounding the Antioch Police Department.
11. Testify in court.
12. Perform related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a public safety telecommunications and dispatch center.
• Operational characteristics of modern public safety telecommunications equipment including computer aided dispatch systems and multi-channel radio systems.
• Law enforcement and emergency service procedures for responding to and handling reported incidents.
• Techniques of questioning for both emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Methods and techniques of receiving, prioritizing, and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Radio codes currently used by the Police Department.
• Functions of the Police Department and other City departments.
• Geographic features and locations within the area served.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Methods and techniques of telephone etiquette.
• Methods and techniques of conflict resolution.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.

Ability to:

• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Effectively communicate and elicit information from upset and irate callers.
• Speak clearly and concisely in an understandable voice via radio and telephone and in person.
• Hear and distinguish radio voice traffic within normal levels and over background noise.
• Make independent decisions that affect the safety of public safety personnel, citizens, and property such as those involved in determining the urgency of requests received and the appropriate action to take.
• Dispatch police units quickly and effectively.
• Think quickly, calmly, and clearly in emergency situations.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Operate a variety of telecommunications receiving and transmitting equipment including radio transmitting communication equipment, teletype equipment, and computer equipment.
• Operate specialized public safety computer systems and applications.
• Read and interpret maps and other navigational resources and give directions.
• Type and enter data accurately