Address
Salary(OVER)
INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR
COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER
SALARY: $3,469 – 4,233/month
DEFINITION: Under general supervision, receives requests for fire/law enforcement services
and dispatcher’s units via radio; maintains contact with department personnel in
the field and stations; provides general phone reception for the city; performs
related duties as required.
DESIRABLE
QUALIFICATIONS: Ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time; speak clearly over telephone
and radio; communicate with people in emergencies; remain calm and in control;
control situations involving irate and emotionally distraught persons; work under
stressful conditions; deal with the public in a courteous manner; communicate with
people of different backgrounds and with different communication abilities; learn
and follow detailed written and verbal procedural directions; selects appropriate
course of action based upon the information available; recall details and record
them accurately and completely; maintain confidentiality; disseminate information
quickly and accurately; sort and file documents; formulate and ask questions to get
needed information; work independently; use a computer terminal. The ideal
candidate has knowledge of the techniques for communicating with people in
distress; record keeping and filing procedures; use of reference books; basic law
enforcement terms and radio codes; questions to ask to determine nature of call
and of emergency; geography and boundaries of service areas; procedure for
operation of NCIC, CJIS and related information systems.
REPRESENTATIVE
DUTIES: Receives requests for fire and police service over the phone; screens incoming calls
to determine necessity, priority, and type of response required; monitors other radio
frequencies to be aware of incidents elsewhere that may affect city police
operations; dispatches police and/or fire units in response to calls for service or
requests from officers in the field; uses law enforcement terminology and cites
Code sections by number; calls public and private agencies to request mutual
assistance when necessary; keeps track of fire and police unit locations and status;
maintains constant radio communications with personnel in the field; runs warrant
checks on subjects, registration checks on vehicles, and property checks using the
California Law Enforcement Telecommunication System, or “C.L.E.T.S.”; relays
information and instructions to personnel in the field; maintains log of incoming
service requests and actions taken; may take criminal reports over the phone;
compiles statistical reports; prepares other reports and records as directed;
maintains files necessary for dispatch as assigned; enters data into computer
system; may testify in court; provides general information to the public; as
(CONTINUED)
necessary, refers callers to appropriate agencies; acts as central reception for the
city by relaying calls to appropriate department, division, and/or person; may
occasionally perform routine clerical work such as assisting with citation
processing, as well as routine typing or report preparation; and may perform matron
duties.
SPECIAL
REQUIREMENTS: Must have earned a high school diploma, or equivalent, and have one year of
experience in public contact work including receipt and referral of a significant
volume of requests and telephone communications or any combination of training
and experience that provides the desired knowledge and abilities. Possession of
and ability to maintain a valid California Driver’s License may be required. A
typing certificate with a minimum operation rate of 45 net wpm must be
submitted with a completed City of Porterville Application with Conviction
Inquiry. The certificate must be obtained through an accredited facility, trade
school, or temporary job placement agency and be valid within the last six (6)
months. (Certificates obtained online will not be accepted.)
SELECTION: Screening will consist of a competitive assessment of relevant education, training
and work experience to be followed by a written examination and/or an interview
before an Oral Board to determine the most qualified candidates. Applicants who
have possession of a valid California POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic
Certificate are not required to test. Applicants meeting the minimum
qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to an interview, and the
decision of the screening committee is final. Those candidates who are
determined eligible for appointment to the position will be placed on the City’s
Certified Eligibility List. Applicants will receive written notification regarding the
results of all phases of the recruitment process up to the establishment of the
Eligibility List, if applicable. The City reserves the right to alter the testing process,
as needed, without notice.
TO APPLY: Submit an application and evidence of qualifications online at
www.ci.porterville.ca.us or submit a completed City of Porterville Employment
Application Form with Conviction Inquiry (a resume may be included, but does not
substitute for a completed application), together with any materials required to
accompany application if noticed in this announcement, to the Human Resources
Office, City of Porterville, 291 N Main St, Porterville, CA 93257. All applications
and supporting documentation must be received by the Human Resources Office .
SPECIAL
CONDITION: Prior to appointment to the position of Communications Dispatcher, candidates
must pass an extensive background investigation, fingerprint check, physical
examination and drug screen.
The City of Porterville is an equal opportunity employer (EEO) and is compliant with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA). If you believe you need accommodation under the ADA in the testing process for any
position for which you intend to apply, please contact the Human Resources Division at (559) 782-7441 to
request such accommodation. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex,
national origin, ethnicity, age, disability or medical condition, Acquired Immune Deficiency (AIDS/HIV) or
AIDS related conditions, political affiliation, sexual orientation, ancestry, marital or domestic partner status,
gender identity, parental status, veteran status, height, weight, or any other basis protected by law.
