Public Safety Dispatcher - Lateral

Salary : $64,932.00 - $86,928.00 Annually
Location : Oceanside, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 25-09
Department: Police
Opening Date: 07/18/2024


Introduction
THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Oceanside Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Lateral Public Safety Dispatcher. This is a crucial role in ensuring public safety, and we are looking for dedicated individuals to join our team. To qualify as a lateral dispatcher, candidates must be employed as a Dispatcher by a public safety agency, have successfully completed probation with their current agency with at least one year of experience, and possess a California P.O.S.T. certificate. Those not currently working as a Dispatcher for a public safety agency are encouraged to apply for the Entry-level Dispatcher position.

**LATERAL INCENTIVE:**

• $2,500 at time of hire
• $500 upon completion of probation period
• $1,000 anniversary payment - year 2
• $1,500 anniversary payment - year 3
• $2,000 anniversary payment - year 4
• $3,500 anniversary payment - year 5
• Up front leave bank of 400 hours to be used as sick leave
• Up front "other" leave bank of 80 hours to be used as vacation

* Payments will not be eligible for inclusion in the calculation of CALPERS retirement benefits.
Under general supervision to receive and evaluate incoming administrative, emergency and 9-1-1 telephone calls for police and fire emergency and other calls for service, and to relay the requests to appropriate personnel; to dispatch appropriate police and fire personnel and equipment utilizing radios, telephone and/or alarm signal communications equipment; operate computer terminals; and to perform related work as required.
Oceanside, a beach community located 39 miles north of San Diego, has a population of more than 175,000. The Oceanside Police Department has an authorized budgeted strength of 228 sworn and 84 professional staff members, and handles approximately 110,000 calls for service each year.
Our motto, "Service With Pride", speaks to our focus of quality customer service and efficient service. We are committed to public safety and to implementing innovative crime-prevention techniques to ensure a safe and healthy community.


Prospective employees will undergo and must successfully pass a thorough police background investigation which may include a psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, a medical examination and a drug screening.

Examples of Duties
The Public Safety Dispatcher operates RCS (800MHz) and VAF radio receivers and transmitters, telephone key modules, teletypewriters, computer terminal stations, alarm signal equipment, and other communications equipment; receives incoming telephone calls and evaluates requests for emergency services; elicits and records essential incident information from callers such as name, address, phone number, and a brief description of the incident; determines the priority and dispatches personnel and equipment for emergency service in accordance with department procedures; answers routine inquiries and refers calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies; maintains radio contact with field mobile units to coordinate emergency services, receives and transmits information; keeps command personnel informed of status of emergency situations; maintains records of communications activities; updates special files, street lists, and maps; tests communications equipment and reports malfunctions; assumes supervisory duties in the absence of the Communications Supervisor; performs related duties and responsibilities as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and procedures involved in public safety communications work;
• Geography of the City and the location of streets and important buildings;
• Operation of radio/telephone receiving and transmitting equipment; and
• Computer terminal and Teletype operations. Rules, policies, and regulations regarding dispatching services
• Report writing; and
• Principles of functional supervision, training and dispatching operations.

Ability to:

• Understand English and speak it clearly in a well-modulated voice using good diction and appropriate grammar;
• Learn and apply Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations governing voice, radio and teletype communications;
• Effectively work under conditions of emergency;
• Make quick and appropriate determinations in all situations;
• Adjust quickly to changing situations and priorities;
• Maintain accurate records;
• Type accurately at a moderate speed;
• Accurately read and interpret maps;
• Remain courteous and calm while interacting with the public;
• Handle simultaneous calls;
• Listen and comprehend radio calls while talking on the phone; and
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Write clear, concise reports and instructions;
• Identify and implement efficient work practices and procedures;
• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities;
• Train others in the use of communications equipment.

Experience and Training
Experience : One year work experience as a California law enforcement Public Safety Dispatcher.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

License/Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a valid California driver's license.
• A California P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatch Certificate.
• Typing certificate of 45 Net Words Per Minute, with no more than five (5) errors.

Note: Please attach copies of your California POST Basic Dispatch Certificate and your current typing certificate to the application.
If you don't attach these two certificates, your application will not be considered.

Working Conditions and Selection Process
Environmental Conditions: Office environment; exposure to computer screens.
Physical Conditions: Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of time and the wearing of headsets while on duty.
Selection Process: All applications will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. The process will include a computer based examination to assess job-related experience and skills. Candidates who successfully complete the examination process will be placed on the eligibility list and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.
Note: Prospective employees will undergo and must successfully pass a thorough police background investigation which may include a psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, a medical examination and a drug screening.
Note: A current, five (5) minute typing certificate with a net of 45 Words Per Minute, with no more than five (5) errors issued within the last six months MUST be attached to the application. If it's not, your application will not be considered.
You may obtain a typing certificate from employment/staffing agencies, adult schools, community colleges, or ROP programs. DUE TO THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES, ONLINE TYPING CERTIFICATES WILL BE ACCEPTED AS LONG AS THEY MEET THE REQUESTED CRITERIA LISTED ABOVE.

Recommended online typing certificates sites:
RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.

CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTING PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.
CITY OF OCEANSIDE

Oceanside Police Officers' Association - Non-Sworn
Benefit Summary

The following is a highlight of benefits:

Retirement
Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)

• Employees hired after January 1, 2013 are subject to the State laws of the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) in regard to retirement benefits. Each individual's benefits may differ. Consult with Employee Benefits for further details.
• Third Level 1959 Survivor Credit
• Survivor Continuation option

Additional Retirement Credit Purchase Options

• Buy additional Service Retirement Credit
• Service Credit for unused Sick Leave
• Buy additional Military Service Credit

Health Insurance

Medical:

• Kaiser HMO
• Blue Shield HMO
• Blue Shield PPO

Dental:

• Delta Preferred Option (DPO)
• Delta Care USA (DHMO)

Vision:

• Vision Service Plan (VSP)

Pre-Tax Benefits

Health benefits are offered on a pre-tax basis and employees cannot add or delete coverage or benefits unless a qualifying event has occurred.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Anthem EAP is paid for by the City.

• Available to all members of your household
• 6 free confidential counseling visits per incident
• Self-service support online or by phone

Disability and Life Insurances

The STD/LTD/LIFE and AD&D Lincoln Financial premiums are paid for by City.
Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance:

• First 90 days - benefits paid at 55% of weekly salary to a maximum weekly benefit of $700 for non-work related disability only
• Seven day waiting period unless hospitalized
• All sick leave must be exhausted before STD is used

Long-Term Disability Insurance:

• After 90 days - benefits paid at 66.7% of monthly salary to a maximum monthly benefit of $6,000 for any disability

Life and AD&D Insurance:

• 1 times annual base salary; minimum of
  $30,000 and maximum of $200,000 of Basic Life and AD&D

Voluntary Benefits

Benefits are employee paid
Supplemental Life Insurance through Lincoln Financial:

• Premiums are determined by age
• Purchased up to a maximum $500,000 for employees
• Spousal coverage up to half the employee amount
• Dependent coverage up to $10,000

Flexible Spending Accounts through BCC:

• Utilizes a debit card as a form of payment
• Health Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $3,400
• Dependent Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $7,500

Deferred Compensation - 457 through Empower:

• 457 - Maximum annual pre/post-taxed amount is $24,500 for 2026; over age 50 may contribute an additional $8,000

Hyatt Legal

• Telephone and office consultations are available for an unlimited number fo personal legal matters with an attorney of your choice.

GotZoom Student Loan Relief

• Provides a no-obligation benefit analysis for federal student loans to identify, maximize and enroll employees into Federal Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs.

ScholarShare 529

• An easy to manage plan that helps make the most of your or a designated beneficiary's college savings with tax benefits.

Leave Benefits

Vacation:
All accruals are based on 80 hours in a paid status


1 - 5 years: 3.58 hours

6 - 10 years: 5.12 hours
11 - 15 years: 6.65 hours

16 + years: 8.19 hours
Maximum accrual:

• 360 hours for those hired before 7/1/94
• 300 hours for those hired 7/1/94 or after

Holidays:

• Any statewide election day
• New Years' Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Lincoln's Birthday
• Washington's Birthday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• CA Admission Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Sick Leave:

• 12 days per year

Max accrual: Unlimited
Annual Sick Leave Pay Off:


Each calendar year an employee may elect to receive a 25% payment in lieu of sick leave provided such employee has used 32 hours or less of sick leave during the calendar year.
Sick Leave pay off at separation:

• Sick leave paid out depends on years of service and whether an employee retires or terminates

Bereavement Leave:

• Three days for death of employee's immediate family member
• Two additional days may be charged to sick leave upon approval

Tuition Reimbursement
Up to $2,000 per fiscal year
Bilingual & Notary

• $1.73 per hour for bilingual pay
• $ .58 per hour for notary pay

Uniforms

• Community Services Officers, Crime Prevention Specialists, Field Evidence Technicians, Senior Field Evidence Technicians/Trainee receive $700 annually
• Communication Supervisors, Public Safety Dispatchers, Public Safety Call Takers, Police Records Technicians, Senior Police Records Technicians receive $525 annually

Training Pay
For each full pay period worked as a trainer, nine hours of extra pay will be given to eligible positions as assigned.

Shift Differential Pay
5% for employees assigned to eligible schedules

Term of Compensation Plan

Effective July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026
This is a summary of available benefits. It is not intended to provide full details of all programs. The appropriate Memorandum of Understanding, Compensation Plan and/or Benefit Plan Documents will govern any discrepancies and provide program specifics.
01


Do you possess one (1) year of work experience as a California law enforcement Public Safety Dispatcher?If NO, you do not qualify for this position.

• Yes
• No

02


Do you possess a California P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatch Certificate?If YES, attach a copy of your certificate.If NO, you do not qualify for this position.

• Yes
• No

03


Do you possess a current typing certificate of 45 Net Words Per Minute, with no more than five (5) errors?If Yes, attach a copy to the application.If No, your application will not be considered.

• Yes
• No

04


Have you completed a Pre-Investigative Questionnaire (PIQ) with Oceanside Police Department within the past six (6) months?

• Yes
• No

05


Please describe your dispatching experience. Include the number of frequencies, number of vehicles per frequency and the minimum dispatch staffing per shift.
06


If you are bilingual, please state which languages and your degree of fluency.
07


Briefly describe the type(s) of radio/telephone receiving and transmitting equipment that you have used. Please indicate if the equipment was computer-aided or manual.
08


Please list any training, specialized courses, seminars or workshops that you have completed, and which would be useful to a dispatcher. Please specify date(s) of completion.
09


If your answer is "YES" to any of the following questions, you are not eligible for a Public Safety Dispatcher position.Have you ever been CONVICTED of a felony?

• Yes
• No

10


Are you currently serving probation for any crime (misdemeanor or felony)?

• Yes
• No

11


If your answer is "NO" to any of the following questions, you are not eligible for a Public Safety Dispatcher position with the Oceanside Police Department. Do you possess a U.S. high school diploma or GED certificate?

• Yes
• No

12


Are you willing to work overtime, varying shifts, weekends and holidays?

• Yes
• No

13


If your answer is "YES" to any of the following questions, you are not eligible for a Public Safety Dispatcher position with the Oceanside Police Department. Have you used illegal drugs, other than marijuana, in the past five (5) years?

• Yes
• No

14


Have you used any hallucinogens (mushrooms, LSD, peyote, mescaline, etc.) in the past fifteen (15) years?

• Yes
• No

15


Have you ever sold any illegal substances, including steroids?

• Yes
• No

16


Have you ever injected any illegal substances, including steroids?

• Yes
• No

17


CERTIFICATE OF APPLICANT: I certify that all statements and information provided in this application and any attachments are true, and I understand that any false or misleading statements or omissions of material facts may forfeit my right to employment considerations by the City of Oceanside.

• Yes
• No

Required Question