Fire Dispatcher I

Fire Dispatcher I

The City of Anaheim seeks qualified Fire Dispatcher I candidates to experience the challenging and rewarding work of a joint powers authority fire dispatch center. The dispatch center, Metro Cities Fire Authority serves seven agencies in Orange County. Incumbents are responsible for performing a wide variety of routine to skilled dispatch activities. Fire Dispatchers will utilize a Computer Aided Dispatch system to receive, screen and respond to incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for fire medical assistance; dispatch appropriate units and maintain necessary communication with units during their response to calls; and perform a variety of clerical, record keeping and general support duties related to communications activities. This classification must be able to work assigned shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime when needed. 5% differential to base pay for night shifts.

An ideal candidate will have:

• California P.O.S.T.-certified Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course Certificate.
• Current Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification from the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch.
• Current Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED Certificate.
• The flexibility to respond to unexpected/emergency shifts within 60 minutes or a reasonable amount of time.
• Knowledge or entry level experience operating a computer terminal and office equipment.
• The ability to exercise good, independent judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• The ability to effectively communicate with and elicit information from distressed and irate callers and communicate emergency medical instructions.
• The ability to multitask.

The resulting eligible list may be used to fill current and future Part Time Fire Dispatcher I. The Part Time Fire Dispatcher I position is designated to average 30 hours per week with no minimum number of hours guaranteed. Please visit the following link for more information regarding part time benefits.

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

Using a CAD system and a computerized emergency telephone system, receive emergency calls from the public requesting fire services; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priority and dispatch fire units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures. Using an 800 megahertz (MHz) radio system, maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of additional fire units and dispatch as appropriate. Answer non-emergency calls for assistance; dispatch as required. Test and inspect equipment as required. Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work. Perform duties and responsibilities as required.

Experience and Training: An equivalent combination of experience and training sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Ability to: Learn to effectively operate a radio, telephone and computer-aided dispatch system; speak clearly and precisely; exercise good judgment; make sound decisions in emergency situations; effectively communicate with and elicit information from callers; identify geographic features and streets through the use of maps; learn department procedures and policies; operate keyboard and other office equipment quickly, accurately and, at times, concurrently; keyboard at a net-corrected minimum speed of 35 words per minute; understand and follow oral and written instructions; learn a wide variety of classification codes and computer commands; spell accurately; maintain accurate and complete files and records, establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Certification: Possession of an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification from National Academies of Emergency Dispatch is highly desirable and a EMD certification is required by completion of probation.

Applications will be accepted until August 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applications will not be accepted after this deadline.

Performance Exam - The performance exam is a computer-based work simulation test that measures the general aptitudes needed to be a dispatcher. No prior dispatch experience is necessary to pass the test. For additional information regarding the performance exam review, please visit their website: CritiCall Candidate Resources.

Performance Exam Waiver Request - CritiCall exams taken with other agencies, including Anaheim Police Department (APD) will not be accepted. CritiCall modules can vary from agency to agency.

Performance Exam Scoring - This is a pass/fail exam. The test module scores are weighted to account for correct responses to the decision-making scenario prompts. Applicants must pass all test modules to successfully complete the performance exam and move to the oral panel interview. Further selection steps include a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol screening, psychological evaluation, and background investigation. The interview with the background investigator and completion of the background investigation will include, but is not limited to, verification and evaluation of any present and/or past use of drugs, driving and employment history.

Please review the following common disqualifiers. If any items listed pertain to you, you will be automatically disqualified in the background investigation. You may, at this time, want to screen yourself and withdraw prior to starting the recruitment process.

• Any illegal use, sales, or possession of a drug classified as an opiate (heroin, opium, etc.) or PCP.
• Any use of cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens (GHB, MDMA/ecstasy, ketamine, etc.) within five years of date of application.
• Any illegal use of anabolic steroids within three years of date of application.
• A pattern or history of irresponsibility as evidenced by debt collections, civil judgments, failure to pay, late payments, etc.
• Two or more at-fault traffic collisions within three years of the date of application.
• Conviction of a hit-and-run offense.
• Any driver's license suspension within five years of date of application.
• Conviction of a felony crime.
• Conviction of any misdemeanor crime within five years of application.
• Any conviction as an adult, of any misdemeanor crime involving domestic violence, sexual-related offenses or crimes against children.
• Any conviction as an adult, of a theft or larceny crime.

The following may result in disqualification :

• Use of cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens (GHB, MDMA/ecstasy, ketamine, etc.) previous to five years of application.
• Prior nitrous oxide use.
• Illegal use of anabolic steroids previous to three years of application.
• Illegal use of a hypodermic needle/syringe.
• A bankruptcy within the past three years of date of application.
• More than one moving violation in the past 12 months, and/or three or more moving citations within the past three years, and/or five or more moving citations within the past five years of date of application.

The eligibility list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill the current and/or additional Full Time and Part Time vacancies throughout the Department.

Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.

Equal Opportunity Employer