Communications Operator I (911)

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Communications Operator I

• Receives immediate supervision from a Communications Supervisor and receives functional supervision from Patrol Supervisors, to include the On-Duty Watch Commander.

• Receives, interprets, classifies, prioritizes and responds to calls of a routine and emergency nature, including those calls involving life-threatening situations. Enters relevant information by computer keyboard and accurately transits messages for dispatching as necessary and in accordance with established procedures operating a computer aided dispatch system.
• Assigns calls to police units for necessary action, determining the appropriate units required for response. Coordinates when necessary with patrol supervisors regarding deployment of personnel. Visually monitors video display terminals and actively listens to police radio frequencies to ensure correct status of officers and emergency personnel. Maintains contact with all units on assignment; maintains daily log of all field calls and units dispatched.
• Dispatches law enforcement or other emergency personnel and equipment. Operates a variety of communications equipment, including computer-aided dispatch terminals, radio transmitters and receivers, dispatch consoles, electronic data terminals, telephone and lease line teletype. Monitors multiple computer screens simultaneously. Enters, updates and retrieves information from computerized databases relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information.
• Use telecommunications systems to coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement and public safety agencies. Determines appropriate communications or research channels selected from emergency telephone lines, radio room telephone lines, business telephone lines, police radio channels, other agency radio channels, and manual computerized information systems.
• Provides information to officers and field personnel expeditiously, including but not limited to, warrants, vehicles, driver's licenses, parole, and criminal history information. Interprets or clarifies coded responses from various systems for law enforcement, public safety, or other relevant parties. Confirms warrants with responsible agencies, receives and files warrants and updates status of warrants. Receives, responds to and documents requests for Division of Motor Vehicle print-outs; documents vehicle impound information.
• Accurately processes information received in the communications center and accurately disseminates that information to the appropriate concerned parties, including but not limited to, relatives of those involved; employers; hospitals; sworn and non-sworn public safety personnel at other agencies; other City departments; ambulance services; detoxification centers; tow companies; attorneys; state parole; county probation; animal control; commercial establishments; alarm companies and schools.
• When appropriate, monitors other public safety and emergency preparedness radio traffic; security monitors; and takes necessary action.
• Maintains a variety of automated and manual logs, records and files related to communications center activities.
• Make court appearances as required related to assigned activities.
• Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work; maintain a variety of logs relating to public safety activities.
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Perform other work as assigned.

Experience:

• Some experience operating radio, teletypewriter or other communication­ equipment is highly desirable.

Training:

• A High School Diploma or G.E.D. supplemented by general clerical experience.

Licenses:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California driver license upon hire.

Tools and Equipment:
Candidate must demonstrate the ability to use the following tools and equipment:

• Telephone console to receive 911 and non-emergency telephone calls; PC computer aided dispatch systems with mapping features and printer; Radio console controls and monitors; Headsets; Mobile Data computers; Microsoft Word and E-mail; Copy machine; Fax machine; California Law Enforcement Telephone System (CLETS); Telecommunications Device for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TDD).

Step 1: Application Submittal and Supplemental Responses To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a completed City of Vallejo online application, including supplemental questionnaire.

****Important: Candidates must attach a typing certificate with their application or with their Personal History Statement (PHS) to move forward in the recruitment process for this position (see Step 5, for more details regarding submission of the typing certificate). 

Applications may be obtained and completed on-line at the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/vallejo or under "Employment Opportunities".

If you have problems creating a user account or submitting your online application, please contact governmentjobs.com applicant support directly at 855-524-5627.

Step 2: Supplemental Responses Applicants must respond to the supplemental questions.

Step 3: Applicant Screening   Application packets containing all required materials will receive an overall screening assessment. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and are found to be the best qualified will move forward in the process.

Pool of Candidates The City reserves the right to limit the number of candidates to those determined to be best qualified based upon all requested application materials, including training and experience, and responses to supplemental questions.
 
Step 4: Examination 
The examination process  will consist of a P.O.S.T. Entry Level Dispatcher Test Battery written examination weighed at 100% of a candidates score.

A) Scoring:
Candidates who achieve a t-score of 50.0 (equivalent to 70 percent ) or higher will be placed on the Register of Eligibles. 

B) Dates:
Complete application packets will be screened and applicants who meet minimum qualifications may be invited to the next available written examination.   This is currently a continuous recruitment; examinations are planned for every 1-2 months for the remainder of 2018.

Tentative dates for P.O.S.T Examinations for 2018:

• April 18         
• June 27             
• August 22          
• September 26    
• October 17
• November 15 

1. Submit Typing Certificate (see details for typing certificate below) and completed Personal History Statement (PHS)
2. Oral Board
3. Livescan - fingerprint check for criminal history information
4. Polygraph
5. POST Dispatcher Background Investigation
6. Final Interview/Conditional Offer of Employment
7. Post- Offer Psychological Assessment
8. Post- Offer Medical Assessment, including drug screening
9. Final Offer with Psychological and Medical Clearance

• The "resume attachment" portion of the on-line application form is intended for resumes, but may include any single document with valid document attachment types, such as a typing certificate, DD214 military discharge form, training certifications, etc.  Valid document attachment types are:  plan text (.txt file extension), rich text (.rtf file extension), PDF (.pdf file extension), or Microsoft Word (.doc extension). The attachment is limited to 1 MB.  Applicants who try to submit a file that is larger will receive an error message.  This step needs to be completed at the time of completing an on-line application. 
• Applicants may not go back to a previously submitted on-line application to make any changes and /or add attachments.