Police Dispatcher - Lateral

 

Under general supervision, receives incoming calls for police assistance and dispatches necessary units; monitors and delivers information via radio communication systems to field personnel; monitors alarm systems and teletype communications; receives incoming telephone calls; assists the public and police personnel by providing accurate factual information; evaluates the type and level of response necessary; and does related work as required.

 

 

The Police Dispatcher is responsible for organizing and completing tasks in priority order to meet statutory and non-statutory work deadlines. The Police Dispatcher is distinguished from the Police Lead Dispatcher, who is responsible for training dispatchers, coordinating assignments, and monitoring calls, while handling more difficult calls, and providing daily administrative support for an assigned shift.

 

 

 1.      Receives 911 emergency calls from the public for police emergency services; evaluates information to determine location of the emergency and the appropriate personnel and equipment needed to respond; may route callers to the proper agency for service.

 

 2.      Dispatches emergency units on the Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD) as necessary per established procedures.

 

 3.      Maintains contact with all units on assignment to determine their status and location.

 

 4.      Communicates with callers to determine the disposition of calls; provides assistance and instructions.

 

 5.      Contacts County and emergency management network agencies to coordinate mutual aid and call responses, and updates system data.

 

 6.      Operates a variety of telecommunications and computer equipment.

 

 7.      Monitors security cameras and alarms and initiates emergency responses in the event of unauthorized entries.

 

 8.      Answers non-emergency calls for assistance, screens calls, and routes calls to the appropriate personnel.

 

 9.      Enters, updates, and retrieves police related data from computer and teletype networks and inputs a daily log of all calls and field units involved.

 

10.    Performs call-outs for a variety of resources such as animal control, towing services, medical assistance, and other specialized services.

 

 

 

Laws, codes, regulations, policies, and department procedures governing public safety dispatching, including radio, computer, and telephone communications, and associated receiving and transmitting equipment; ability to 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; effective customer service techniques.

 

 

Effectively communicate with and obtain information from upset and/or irate citizens and remain calm in receiving urgent calls, reciting facts and details, and providing instructions within emergency situations; speak to callers courteously and tactfully; accurately and simultaneously monitor the status of multiple calls and units; simultaneously operate a variety of telecommunications and computer equipment such as the CAD system, computer equipment, telephones, radio transmitters, and teletype equipment; type at the net rate of 45 words per minute; spell correctly; learn the geography and the location of streets, landmarks and public and private facilities in and around the City of Buena Park; learn and apply police records management practices and procedures; understand and carry out oral and written directions; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, management, public safety dispatchers from other law enforcement agencies, and the general public.

 

 

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is constantly required to sit and occasionally stand and walk within work areas. At the communications console, the employee is expected to lean, turn, and twist to reach console resources and reference manuals. The employee is expected to use fingers to operate computer keyboard and lightly grasp microphone and to reach above and below shoulder to access camera controls and resource books. The employee occasionally bends, kneels, and uses feet to operate radio microphone and console. The employee must be able to talk and hear when communicating with the general public, law enforcement personnel, and city staff.  

 

Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

 

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; 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, working with city staff, law enforcement personnel, and the general public in handling non-emergency calls. 

 

 

The employee regularly works in an office environment; the noise level is moderately quiet, at or below 85 decibels, and the noise volume is occasionally louder when multiple calls are being handled. The employee needs to monitor multiple frequencies and communications by radio, telephone, and the communications console, as well as alarms and security cameras.

P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course completion or the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate is required

 

Ability to be assigned to rotating work shifts, including nights, holidays, and weekends, and to work overtime as needed.  

Must have typing skills of 45 wpm. An original typing certificate predated up to one year, must be submitted along with the completed application. The typing certificate must be for 45 wpm net (after errors) on a 5-minute timed test.
 

• A five (5) minute timed test including the gross speed and number of errors (gross speed – errors = net speed).
   
• Certification must be in writing and test taken within 12 months of submission to the Buena Park Human Resources Office.
   
• Certification must be verifiable and include a valid administrator's name, signature, address and telephone number.
     
• A SELF-ADMINISTERED TYPING TEST THAT IS TAKEN OVER THE INTERNET OR ANY OTHER SELF-ADMINISTERED TEST WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
   
• A copy of the certification must be submitted with your official City application.
   
• You must submit the certificate in order to be considered for the position.

Applicants must file a concise and complete City application regarding their qualifications for the position online through the Human Resources Department web page at www.buenapark.com/hr as soon as possible. Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a City employment application. 

All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to oral interview and/or written exams and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment eligible list from which hires may be made. The list is valid for up to one year unless exhausted sooner.

The City of Buena Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.
 
The City of Buena Park Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy requires that all applicants undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to employment.