Public Safety Dispatcher (Lateral)

Public Safety DispatcherDEADLINE TO APPLY: This recruitment will remain open on a continuous basis until the needs of the City are met. Applications are reviewed weekly. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. REQUIRED: Two (2) years of experience as a public safety dispatcher for a Public Safety Answering Point. THE POSITION: The Public Safety Dispatchers uses a computer-aided dispatch system to receive calls and dispatch police, fire or other City services by answering emergency and non-emergency calls and providing assistance. THE DEPARTMENT The Hayward Police Department Communications Center is responsible for dispatching both Police and Fire Services throughout the City of Hayward. The Hayward Police Department is one of 18 CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement) accredited police departments in California and is committed to maintaining CALEA's high standards and broadly recognized excellence. The Communications Center is frequently the first point of contact when a community member requests assistance. The information gathered by the communications operator during this contact is critical to a positive outcome. The Communications Center consists of six (6) stations with each Public Safety Dispatcher assigned to a specific job. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This is a journey technical level position in which incumbents are expected to independently perform the full range of duties assigned. This class is distinguished from the Communications Supervisor in that the latter provides technical and functional supervision over assigned communication personnel.Essential DutiesWhat you will do: Duties may include but are not limited to the following: Receive emergency calls from the public requesting police, fire, or other related services; determine nature and location of emergency; determine priority and dispatch emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures; coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement agencies. Use a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system to enter calls for service/radio traffic and monitor real-time status of situations; use an automated records management system (RMS) related to public safety activities to enter and retrieve information. Maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of field units and monitor radio frequencies of outside public safety agencies. Receive incoming telephone and voice radio calls for non-emergency assistance; dispatch animal control, utilities and street maintenance staff as needed. Enter, retrieve, and update information from teletype networks, including the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information. Maintain familiarity with major roads, streets, areas, and industrial and public facilities within City boundaries. May complete recovered stolen vehicle reports in accordance with established procedures. Relay emergency and non-emergency information to public safety personnel and other agencies in the field. Monitor multiple frequencies. Determine and report the need for equipment repairs. Receive structured classroom and on-the-job training. Assist in relaying information during response to natural disasters. Perform the duties of a Public Safety Call Taker, as assigned. Perform related work as necessary.JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Emergency telephone answering techniques, policies, and procedures. General policies and procedures used in the operation of the City's dispatch center. Primary roads, streets, highways, areas, major buildings, and public facilities within the City's boundaries. Standard radio broadcasting procedures and rules associated with operation of an emergency services communication network; learn to monitor multiple frequencies. Radio and other codes used in the creation of computer aided calls for dispatch. Correct telephone answering techniques, policies, and procedures. Use of various police report forms. Correct English usage, including comprehension and grammar. Modern office equipment and methods including use of computer applications in word processing. Principles and practices of customer service. Ability to: Read, write, spell, and speak in concise English. Follow oral and written instructions. Deal tactfully with the public and others. Work in a confined area and wear a headset. Remain calm during emergencies and obtain relevant information from callers who are in stressful situations. Answer and prioritize calls for emergency and non-emergency police, fire, and other City services and to dispatch appropriate units in response in a courteous manner. Accurately enter information in the computer system while receiving information by telephone. Operate a computer aided dispatch system, video display terminal, teletype and other computer programs and equipment related to public safety communications and records. Interpret maps. Effectively perform emergency telephone answering and processing duties. Read and comprehend information and instructions. Perform several job tasks effectively under pressure for sustained periods of time. Memorize and retain information from a variety of sources. Interpret information from distraught, incoherent or angry callers and relay critical facts to appropriate emergency or nonemergency personnel. Speak clearly and concisely via radio, telephone and in person. Type accurately at a speed of 35 words per minute. Work various shifts, including day, swing and graveyard as well as weekends and holidays. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.Minimum QualificationsLATERAL REQUIREMENTS: Experience: Two (2) years of experience as a public safety dispatcher for a Public Safety Answering Point, including heavy public contact while performing multiple tasks and using a computer-aided dispatch system. Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade. Licenses and Certificates: Completion of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic Public Safety Dispatcher course is highly desirable.Supplemental InformationSELECTION PROCEDURE Candidates must submit a completed City of Hayward job application and respond to the Supplemental Questionnaire, which fully describe the nature of their professional experience and qualifications. Applications submitted without all required materials will not be considered. Only those candidates meeting "Lateral Requirements" will continue in the selection process. The examination process will result in a ranked eligible register of candidates for hiring consideration by the department. Actual hire depends on success in the departmental selection process. Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City should expect to undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, and other credentials as part of the appointment process. Some positions, depending on the nature of the work, also require a credit check and a review of Summary Criminal History obtained from the State Department of Justice through Live Scan Fingerprinting. Applicants will be notified electronically via Government Jobs as to their status in the selection process. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they can receive email notice from Neogov/Government Jobs and the City of Hayward. APPLICATIONS Candidates are encouraged to apply online at under the Current Vacancies tab or at Paper applications can be obtained by visiting the Human Resources Department at Hayward City Hall located at 777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system. Our on-line application system is provided by Government Jobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact the Government Jobs Help Desk at View phone number on click.appcast.io. The City of Hayward reserves the right to modify the selection process as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The City of Hayward is an Equal Opportunity EmployerBenefitsBenefits Overview This summary provides a brief overview of the benefits available to regular full-time City employees. As indicated in the 2025 Benefit Summary, some employee groups have different benefits based upon negotiated agreements. Depending on employee group, some of these benefits may include: Your choice of CalPERS Medical Plan (with generous employer contribution) CalPERS Defined Benefit Retirement Plan (2.5% at 55 for Classic CalPERS members | 2.0% at 62 for New CalPERS members | 3.0% at 50 for Classic Safety members | 2.7% at 57 for New Safety Members) Dental Insurance (plans available through Delta Dental or United Concordia) Vision Insurance Life Insurance Disability Insurance Paid Leave Paid Holidays Flexible Spending Accounts Tuition Reimbursement Health and Wellness Reimbursement Professional Development Reimbursement 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (employee paid) Other Employee-Paid benefits include pet insurance and discount plans, pre-paid legal, etc. To view a summary of the benefits the City offers, please click here.