Communications Dispatcher

Salary : $46,272.00 - $59,616.00 Annually
Location : Police Department - 604 C Street Eureka CA 95501, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 23/24.19
Department: Police
Division: Communications
Opening Date: 10/23/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Description Summary
SALARY$3,856 - $4,687 Monthly (DOQ) without certifications
$3,972 - $4,828 for candidates who hold POST Intermediate Certification
$4,087 - $4,968 for candidates who hold POST Advanced Certification
*Base salary will increase by 5% in 2024.
The Eureka Police Department is also seeking experienced Public Safety/911 Dispatchers to join our team of dedicated professionals.
$10,000 SIGNING BONUS FOR LATERAL HIRES
$5,000 paid upon hiring, $2,500 paid upon completion of training, final $2,500 paid
upon successful completion of probationary period.
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, receives 911 police, fire and medical emergency calls, and dispatches police, fire, and medical personnel following prescribed procedures; answers non-emergency calls for public safety and other City departments; performs a variety of non-sworn office duties in support of law enforcement activities; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. May exercise technical and functional direction over assigned staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry-level in the communications dispatch series that performs dispatch, law enforcement and police support duties that do not require performance by a sworn police officer. Responsibilities are centered on extensive contact with the public over the telephone, in both emergency and non-emergency situations to receive, transmit and provide factual information, forms and reports. All activities must be performed within specified legal guidelines. This class is distinguished from other technical office support classes in that the work requires knowledge of codes, law enforcement, and dispatching policies and procedures in addition to standard office support skills. This class is further distinguished from Senior Communications Dispatcher in that the latter is responsible for technical and functional direction over lower-level staff and is capable of performing the most complex duties assigned to the division.
Expectation of Job Duties
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Receives and evaluates 911 police, fire and medical emergency calls, and related business calls for the City during an assigned portion of the 24-hours-per-day/7-days-per-week Police Department operations; provides information and/or transfers calls to the appropriate department, agency or response organization; takes messages for Police Department personnel.
• Dispatches public safety emergency units in accordance with established procedures and policies using a computerized dispatch system, including determining priority of emergency and sending appropriate response unit, including police, fire, emergency medical personnel, towing services, utilities.
• Provides emergency medical instructions to callers, including CPR, childbirth and other medical instructions according to standardized Emergency Medical Dispatch Pre-Arrival Instruction established through the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch.
• Maintains contact with all field units, including accounting for location and status of all units and maintaining records of all field calls.Operates a computer, telephone, and radio console and telecommunication equipment simultaneously while performing dispatching activities.
• Enters into, updates, and retrieves a variety of records from CLETS database, including stolen vehicles and other property, vehicle registration information, guns and property, and warranted or missing persons.
• Runs warrant checks on subjects, registration, checks on vehicles and property, and relays information and instructions to personnel in the field.
• Contacts public and private agencies and requests mutual assistance, including other law enforcement agencies, area fire departments, hospitals, towing services, and utilities.
• Logs call data in a written or automated format; monitors calls after initial dispatch to provide additional coordination, support or information.
• Accesses Federal, State and local law enforcement information databases to obtain information regarding outstanding warrants, criminal history, records information and vehicle data, relays such information to sworn staff.
• Acts as a liaison with the public and representatives of other agencies for the department; provides initial non-emergency contact with the public and representatives of other agencies for the requesting of police records or for fire or related services; determines the nature of the contact; provides factual information regarding services, policies and procedures, which requires a knowledge of legal guidelines, departmental policies and procedures and the use of tact and discretion, or directs the caller to the proper individual or agency.
• Maintains accurate departmental and law enforcement records and files; researches and compiles information from such files.
• Attends necessary fire and police training, shift briefing sessions, participates in drills and test scenarios to prepare for unexpected emergencies, and rides along with police officers and fire personnel.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Basic functions, principles and practices of law enforcement agencies.
• Terminology and procedures used in public safety dispatching.
• Operation of computer-aided communications equipment, including multiple telephone lines and radio systems.
• Applicable codes, regulations, policies, technical processes and procedures, including penal, vehicle, and health and safety codes and regulations.
• City and County geography, maps, streets, landmarks, and driving directions.
• Principles and practices of data collection and report preparation.
• Business arithmetic and basic statistical techniques.
• Basic principles of record keeping.
• Modern office practices, methods and computer equipment.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for dealing with and solving the problems presented by a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Assess and prioritize emergency situations while remaining calm and using sound, independent judgment.
• Memorize codes, names, street locations and other information.
• Read and interpret maps and other pertinent documentation.
• Interpret, apply and explain policies, procedures and regulations.
• Attend to multiple activities simultaneously.
• Obtain necessary information from individuals in stressful or emergency situations.
• Compile and summarize information to prepare accurate, clear and concise reports.
• Perform technical, detailed and responsible office support work.
• Compose correspondence independently or from brief instructions.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Organize, maintain, and update office database and records systems.
• Make accurate arithmetic and statistical computations.
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy.
• Organize own work, set priorities and meet critical deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Requirements
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and
• One (1) year experience in operating radio, teletypewriter, or other communication equipment.
• Experience in dealing with the public is highly desirable.

License:

• Valid California class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record may be required.
• Medical Priority Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification to be obtained within probationary period.
• CPR Certification to be obtained within probationary period.

• A Tscore of 48 or higher on the POST Entry-level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery examination. Letter containing this passing Tscore must be attached to your application.
• A valid typing certificate, issued within the previous (12) months. The typing certificate must demonstrate the ability to type a minimum of 35 wpm and must be attached to your application.

Required POST Entry Level Dispatcher Selection Battery Exam needed to qualify is scheduled for November 29, 2023 and is free and open to the public! Call Sarah at (707) 441-4176 by November 13, 2023 to RSVP!
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification that requires extended periods of time of sitting; standing in work areas and walking between work areas may also be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Required to work up to 12 hour shifts, some holidays, various weekend, day and evening shifts, as assigned.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants must have already undergone a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) written examination titled Entry-level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery in order to qualify for this position. This exam is scheduled periodically throughout the year by various agencies in California. Locally, this exam is scheduled for Wednesday, November 29, 2023 and is free and open to the public! Call Sarah at (707) 441-4176 by Monday, November 13, 2023 to RSVP!
For additional information about the position, testing procedures, and study guides please use the following link: https://www.post.ca.gov/dispatchers.aspx
For successful applicants, additional testing may include a background investigation, polygraph test, work style evaluation performed by a psychologist, department interview and complete physical examination/drug screening. Successful applicants will remain on an eligibility list for up to one year from the date of testing or until the list has been exhausted. The eligibility list created from this recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, and grant positions.
Cover letters, resumes, and/or additional materials (other than the listed required attachments) will not be accepted.
EXTENDED TESTING PROCESS FOR COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER
COMPLETE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants will undergo a thorough investigation of their personal history, including drug and alcohol use, thefts, etc. All applicants must meet background investigation standards. Examples of disqualifying items include use or sale of illegal drugs/narcotics within the past 1 to 3 years, depending on substance type. If you would like to discuss a particular personal issue prior to testing, please contact the Eureka Police Department at (707) 441-4095, and they will provide you with general department parameters.
POLYGRAPH TEST: This is the "lie detector" test. By monitoring your physiological response to questions given, the polygraph test determines the truthfulness of your responses.
DEPARTMENT INTERVIEW: In this phase of the testing process, you will be interviewed by the Police Chief.
AFTER AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT IS MADE:
WORK STYLE EVALUATION: This test is performed by a Psychologist in which you complete a variety of test components and your responses are compared to an established scale. You are then given a numerical score which determines your suitability for the Communications Dispatcher position.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION/DRUG SCREENING: You will undergo a pre employment physical examination and a drug screening test. Actual employment is contingent upon the results of these examinations.
If you are successful in all testing phases, and are accepted for employment, you will receive approximately four months of training.
The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modif...