Description
JOIN THE CITY OF PLACENTIA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS TEAM! PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER (LATERAL)
$68,481.35 - $84,515.22/ANNUAL SALARY (salary effective July 1, 2024)
$12K SIGNING BONUS + EXCELLENT BENEFITS VIEW RECRUI TMENT BROCHURE & BENEFITS HERE THE POSITION: Under general supervision, trained to perform a variety of complex duties involved in the receipt and dispatching of incoming emergency and non-emergency calls and requests for police, fire, medical, and other emergency services. This critical role must be able to work independently in a high-stress environment to serve as a vital communications link between the public in need of responsive emergency services.
***THIS RECRUITMENT WAS ESTABLISHED TO CREATE AND ELIGIBILITY LIST FOR FUTURE VACANCIES*** THE ORGANIZATION: At the City of Placentia, we strive to make a difference by continually developing our progressive and innovative workforce. Our team works together to foster an environment that promotes diversity, creativity, and respect for everyone’s opinions to ensure a better result for the community we serve. The City believes in a philosophy of continuous improvement and seeks to provide employees with a number of professional development opportunities, including citywide leadership academies, Departmental Retreats, professional coaching, and more. If you are interested in a public sector career with an established agency dedicated to improving the way its employees work, develop, and thrive, this position would be an excellent opportunity for you. Don’t wait; apply today!
Examples of Duties
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.
- Use training and operational protocols to efficiently take appropriate action dispatching emergency services, convey crucial information, prioritizing calls, and referring callers to other agencies with limited supervision.
- Receive 911 emergency calls from the public for police, fire, and other emergency services, assessing and evaluating information to pinpoint the emergency’s location and the necessary personnel and resources required for response; dispatch emergency units on the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) software as necessary per established procedures.
- Validate incident details by confirming caller information and location, ascertaining the incident’s nature, and accessing all available intelligence sources, including automated data, social media, text messages, images, or videos; disseminate information to emergency services via verbal or digital means.
- Operate Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) software, geographical information systems (GIS), state and federal databases, teletypewriter (TTY), and text-to-911 sessions, along with communication systems like radio dispatch consoles and recording systems; manage multiple systems and conversations operate multiple systems simultaneously with precision.
- Document incident calls promptly, thoroughly, and accurately to categorize urgency of incident accordingly; address inquiries, complaints, and requests from the public in accordance with departmental procedures.
- Aid sworn field personnel by conducting record searches and soliciting information from other law enforcement agencies to support ongoing field investigations.
- Perform any additional tasks or functions as deemed necessary to the daily operations of the employer.
Typical Qualifications
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined above is:
- Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent.
- Specialized training and/or certifications in the dispatching field is desirable.
- Currently employed as a dispatcher with a law enforcement agency and a minimum of one (2) years of dispatch experience is required.
- Previous dispatching experiemce with a professional fire agency is highly desirable.
LICENSE & CERTIFICATIONS - Possession of the California P.O.S.T Certified Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course certificate of completion (please attach a copy of the certification to your online application).
- A valid Class 'C' California driver's license and acceptable driving record during the course of employment.
- Must be able to obtain the following certifications and trainings within a specific time period, typically within 6 - 12 months of appointment.
- Communications Center Training Program
- Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Security Training
- Emergency Medical and Emergency Fire Dispatch Certification
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- Complete required annual P.O.S.T training and continued education courses
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Candidates must be able to support a 24/7 operation, adhere to a rotating training schedule that includes nights, weekends, and holidays; and to be prepared for potential callbacks and last minute shifts.
- Must be able to type at the net rate of 45 words per minute.
ABILITY TO - Work under pressure and handle multiple tasks simultaneously in emergency and stressful situations.
- Complete trainings and certification courses as needed.
- Type at the net rate of 45 words per minute.
- Exercise judgment in determining priority of calls and unit assignments in order to dispatch police and fire units quickly and effectively; u se judgment and decision-making skills to rapidly evaluate situations, establish priorities, resolve matters, and pass on information, as needed.
- Use logic, critical thinking, and reasoning to reach conclusions and solve problems; follow instructions and effectively communicate orally and in writing.
- Communicate with and elicit information from upset and/or irate citizens and remain calm in receiving urgent calls, obtaining and reciting facts and details, and providing instructions within emergency situations.
- Quickly adapt in retaining public safety and technology training material, including laws, codes, regulations, policies and department procedures.
- Maintain punctuality and attendance; provide effective customer service and deal tactfully and courteously with the public.
- Learn portions of the California Penal Code, Health and Safety Code, Motor Vehicle Code, Welfare Institutions Code, and Business and Professions Code and procedures and techniques for dealing with the public tactfully.
- Operate computer systems with specialized software and enter data via keyboard and software with speed and accuracy.
KNOWLEDGE OF Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment; correct English usage, spelling, punctuation and grammar. Laws, codes, regulations, policies, and department procedures governing public safety dispatching, including radio, computer and telephone communications, and associated receiving and transmitting equipment; laws, codes, regulations, and laws governing police records management and the protection of confidential records; modern police records office procedures, equipment and techniques including principles of records keeping and automated information systems.
Supplemental Information
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to frequently sit, stand, reach, lean, twist, turn, grasp, feel, lift, push, pull, bend, kneel and sit for prolonged periods of time. Manipulate feet to operate radio microphone or console equipment. Input information into computer for prolonged periods of time. Hear and talk with the general public, law enforcement personnel, and City staff on the telephone, radio communications equipment, and in person. Hear and detect radio traffic, ringing telephones, and alarm tones while speaking on radio communications equipment or on the telephone. Read computer display monitors and distinguish colors on computer display monitors. Read and understand technical manuals related to communications equipment, as well as reports, contracts, correspondence, memos and other written materials. The employee is exposed to continual background noise, static and noise from radio communications equipment, telecommunications equipment, and other office equipment. The position requires close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
MENTAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this class, the employee must be able to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; interpret policies and procedures; use math and mathematical reasoning; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with upset callers, including victims and witnesses in emergency situations, reporting potential crimes and requesting emergency care, as well as City staff, law enforcement and fire personnel and the general public in handling non-emergency calls.
WORK ENVIRONMENT This job is in an emergency communications center located at the Police Department. Although employees regularly works in an office environment, activity can become fast paced and high stress; the noise level is moderately quiet although loud at time given the need to monitor multiple frequencies radio frequencies and communications equipment, telephone, and console, alarms and security cameras on a continuing basis.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS Employment applications must be submitted online at www.placentia.org ; Applications may be accompanied by a resume, however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed online application. Applications, as well as responses to the supplemental questionnaire, will be reviewed and the most qualified applicants will be invited to the next phase of the recruitment process which may include, but is not limited to, testing/assessment and/or oral interview. The selected candidate must pass an extensive background check and pre-employment screening.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The City of Placentia is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, other non-job related physical or mental disability, medical condition, or other functional limitation in employment or the provision of service. The City is committed to making its programs, services, and activities accessible to individuals with qualified disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete the employment application and/or participate in the testing process, please contact the Human Resources Office at (714) 993-8141 prior to the filing deadline. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.
To view the official class specification for this position and a complete list of job requirements and conditions, reference our job classifications page
HERE . For additional information, please call Human Resources at (714) 993-8295.
WORK SCHEDULE: 4/10 or 3/12 Work Schedule (depending on department need) + Overtime and/or Compensation Time.
RETIREMENT: The City of Placentia participates in the CA Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) & does not participate in Social Security.
- 2% @ 60 defined retirement plan (Classic Members) - Applies to employees who, prior to January 1, 2013, were active members of CalPERS or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established. Employee membership contribution is 7%.
- 2% @ 62 defined retirement plan (New Members/PEPRA) - Applies to new employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, who are not members of CalPERS or are not members of another public employee retirement system with which reciprocity may be established. Employee membership contribution is 6.75%
HEALTH INSURANCE: City provides up to $1,877.00/month to purchase health insurance for employees & dependents. Alternatively, there is a $400 medical opt out payment for employees insured outside the City’s insurance coverage.
DENTAL: Employer paid premiums for employee + dependent(s) for for Dental (HMO or PPO) and Vision plan participation.
VISION INSURANCE: Employer paid premiums for employee + dependent(s) for Vision plan participation.
LIFE INSURANCE: Employer paid life insurance policy equal to annual salary; additional life insurance available at employee’s expense.
SHORT/LONG TERM DISABILITY: Employer paid benefit.
Alternative Health & Wellness (SICK LEAVE) - Receive ninety-six (96) hours effective the first pay period in July (prorated for new employees). AHW Incentives of up to $1,250 annually and conversion up to 24 hours to PTO annually upon eligibility.
HOLIDAY TIME OFF: Due to the specialized demands of the position, employees accrue 120 hours of PTO in lieu of designated holidays.
PAID TIME OFF (PTO; VACATION) - Accrue 80 hours of PTO annually; after 3 years of service accrue 120 hours; 10+ years accrue 168 hours. Annual cash-out program benefits available, if eligible.
P.O.S.T CERTIFICATION PAY:$250 annual incentive pay for Intermediate POST Certification $500 annual incentive pay for Advanced POST Certification
BILINGUAL PAY: $175/month (must pass proficiency assessment)
LONGEVITY PAY: 5% longeivity pay at 15 years of employment w/agency.
Closing Date/Time: 5/5/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
