Public Safety Dispatcher I

Job Title

This is to create an eligibility list.

Summary: Under moderate supervision, monitors and responds to radio transmissions from City officers and other law enforcement agencies; responds to Police and Fire service and information requests from the public; evaluates service needs and dispatches appropriate units; performs related responsibilities as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Receives supervision from Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor, and receives functional direction from Public Safety Dispatcher II.

Essential Job Functions

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The following list is not a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Receives routine and emergency calls for service from the public; inputs details of call into computer systems; dispatches available police, fire, or ambulance units; coordinates response of other City departments and other public safety and emergency service agencies to sites in the city and surrounding areas.
• Maintains status and location of police and fire units in the field.
• Respond to court requests for testimony.
• Updates, and retrieves information from Department of Justice and Department of Motor Vehicles data bases relating to wanted or missing persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, criminal offender records, and other information and conveys information to field officers.
• Monitors radio channels; maintains communication with field units, provides status updates, and other vital law enforcement information.
• Responds to questions from public regarding general legal matters, City and department operations, and transfers incoming phone calls as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Vehicle and Penal Codes and El Centro Municipal Codes; standard police radio broadcasting procedures and rules.
• Geographic location of streets, parks, major landmarks, and City and County limits.
• Some knowledge of reporting practices of California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS), National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and the Criminal Justice Information System.
• Office of Emergency System (OES) dispatch and response procedures.

Skill to:

• Operate computer aided dispatch system.
• Two-way radio system, microwave system.
• Web-based telephone system, and type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Operate dispatcher computer console, teletype, and other office equipment.

Ability to:

• Multi-task; sustain calm, clear voice tone when talking to emotionally upset or irate individuals.
• Demonstrate patience when obtaining information from citizens.
• Listen, distinguish, and monitor multiple radio transmissions and telephone conversations simultaneously.
• Remember past calls and events and relay relevant information to officers.
• Work under pressure, exercise good judgment, think and act quickly and make sound decisions in emergency situations.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Satisfactory completion of Peace Officer Standards Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission certified 120-hour basic complaint/dispatcher course within twelve months of date of hire.
• Six months of customer service experience.

Special Requirements

• No felony convictions. No disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years.
• Ability to work variable shifts as assigned.
• Current State of California Class C driver's license and acceptable driving record must be maintained.

Benefits

The City of El Centro offers a competitive compensation package which include medical, dental vision, life insurance, mental health counseling, short-term and long-term disability. Total compensation includes not only your salary, but also the benefits paid by the City on your behalf. These City provided benefits add significantly to the overall value of your compensation.

• Health Insurance is available at a shared cost. The City will subsidize a percentage of the medical premium and employee is responsible for the rest. The percentage subsidized by the City depends on coverage plan chosen
• All plans include vision and dental insurance
• Basic life Insurance is fully subsidized by the City. (The coverage amount varies depending on the position classification and resolution with the City)
• Optional Supplemental Life and Dependent Insurance is available at the employee's expense.
• Worker's Compensation is paid by the City
• Deferred Compensation (457b Plan) is available at the employee's expense
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $1,000 per calendar year subject to pre-approval and availability of funds

Pay Practices This position is paid on a biweekly basis. Retirement CalPERS Employee/Employer contributions. Holidays 15 paid holidays per year. The City recognizes the following holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• President's Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving
• December 24th
• Christmas Day
• December 31st
• Birthday Holiday