Public Safety Tech - Dispatcher And/Or Corrections Officer

Salary : $57,778.50 - $66,358.50 Annually
Location : Valdez, AK
Job Type: Hourly Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: 23.16
Department:Public Safety
Opening Date: 11/21/2023
The City of Valdez Public Safety Department is accepting applications for a Public Safety Technician - Dispatcher and/or Correction Officer.
Under general supervision, these positions respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire, and emergency services; performs the duties of Correctional Officer and/or Dispatcher; complies with Police Department procedures to assure the safety of officers, emergency services personnel, and the public.
This is a fully benefited, hourly position working a non-standard schedule.
The Public Safety Technician & Corrections Officer is a sworn position, therefore applicants are required to upload or email the completed F-3 Personal History Statement (email to ) Application packages for Public Safety Techand/or Corrections Officer not containing an F-3 will not be considered.
If you are applying for a dispatcher only (no corrections) you do not need to complete the F-3.
Review of applications begins December 31, 2023.
The City of Valdez offers a competitive pay, incentive, and benefits package to include:

• Hourly rate of pay $29.63 - $34.03 DOE with potential for overtime and additional shift-coverage
• Night-Shift Differential pay
• 12.5 paid holidays
• Approximately 24 days of annual personal leave accrual for employees with less than 2 years of service with City of Valdez
• Affordable, excellent health insurance with 90/10 coverage and low deductibles
• Optional Supplemental Life Insurance
• AFLAC
• Member of the State of Alaska Public Employees Retirement System
• Optional 457 deferred compensation plan
• City matching 401(b) plan with enrollment in 457 plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Relocation expense reimbursement
• Advanced training opportunities

Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED equivalent; and two (2) years of experience which involved a substantial amount of public contact and office clerical duties. Applicant must possess State of Alaska Driver's license and have a clear criminal record. Must be able to pass Municipal Corrections Academy, obtain Certifications for Taser, OC, Emergency Medical Dispatch, CPR & First Aide, APSIN/NCIC Access. Depending on the needs of the position, additional licenses, certifications and/or training may be required. May have to perform physical tasks in an outdoor environment.
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.)
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER):

• Answers incoming emergency and non-emergency calls by telephone or radio; uses GPS/GIS systems to track callers and emergency situations; projects positive support of the Department and City organizations at all times.
• Interviews callers and gathers details on complaints; relays pertinent information to law enforcement and emergency services personnel; provides information and assistance to the public.
• Dispatches calls for service to available law enforcement and emergency services personnel.
• Maintains status and awareness of Police patrol units and monitors alarms; tracks the location and activities of all officers on duty.
• Provides detailed call information to officers and emergency services personnel as needed; monitors message traffic and relays important information to officers.
• Performs inquiries and criminal history checks for officers through National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN).
• Monitors fire, panic and burglar alarms for City departments and local businesses.
• Notifies key Department personnel on critical incidents.
• Monitors fire, panic and burglar alarms for City departments and local businesses.
• Processes paperwork and records for Police Department, including case reports, court documents, memos, letters, and confidential records; issues licenses and permits.
• Maintains the integrity, professionalism, philosophies, attitudes, and values of the Police Department by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed.
• Responsible for monitoring the security cameras & doors within the jail facility to assist in the safety of inmates, correctional officers, and police officers.
• Other duties as assigned.
  PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (CORRECTIONS OFFICER):
• Maintains the safety and security of the staff, inmates, visitors, and facility; schedules and supervises inmate activities and maintains discipline; controls inmate behavior and promotes acceptable attitude.
• Conducts cell searches for contraband; conducts unit safety checks; monitors cameras, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors; inventories tools and supplies; accounts for inmates under direct vision and supervision at all times; may physically restrain disruptive inmates.
• Provides care for inmates; prepares and dispenses meals; administers medications and oversees inmate hygiene and showers; schedules medical and other appointments, and visiting sessions.
• Conducts booking of new inmates; searches inmates; collects and inventories property; completes fingerprints and photos; completes booking forms.
• Processes authorized release of individuals detained; maintains residents' property, financial and detention records; files and distributes records as required.
• Attend 3-week Municipal Corrections Academy.
• Meet Department Standard for control tactics, & less lethal methods of Inmate Control.
• Qualify to Department Standards to carry and use shotgun.
• Collects information and compiles data for reports.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS:
Knowledge of

• Police and Fire Departments' standard policies and procedures for dispatching law enforcement officers and other emergency services.
• Federal, State, and City laws related to inmates, Alaska standards pertaining to detention facilities, and detention facility policy and procedures.
• Behavior patterns of incarcerated persons (Corrections Officer)
• Techniques of detainee control, defensive tactics, and discipline protocols (Corrections Officer).
• Personal computers, general officer programs & databases, and related law enforcement communications equipment.
• Local geographical area, road systems, and the locations of important buildings.
  Skills/Abilities
• Ability to quickly shift tasks in the performance of daily duties while maintaining composure & organization of paperwork;
  
• Maintain confidentiality of prive and sensative information;
  
• Ability to perform a number of cognitive processes, including and not limited to, thinking of a number of ideas or alternatives about a given incident, remembering information pertaining to details of recent incidents, comparing letters, numbers, objects, pictures or patterns quickly and accurately and choosing between two or more sources of information;
• Provide excellent customer service skills, and the ability to establish effective working relationships with the Police Department staff and other public agencies involved in law enforcement or criminal investigations, as well as the public;
• Ability to make sound decisions in accordance with Departmental policies and procedures and possess outstanding verbal communication skills so that information transmitted is clear and concise
• Type at least 45 WPM and have the ability to use a computer while compiling information over the phone with a sophisticated law enforcement automated dispatching system;
• Supervise inmate activities, write, and complete accurate reports and observations;
• Operate booking equipment, including cameras, fingerprinting equipment, typewriters, computer data entry programs, and standard security hardware;
• Ability to use verbal and physical means to ensure the safety of inmates and personnel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in a high call volume emergency dispatch environment. May be subject to extended work periods without relief, periods of high call volume and stressful situations. Corrections work is performed in a detention facility. Personnel may be exposed to combative or hostile individuals and potential physical harm. Must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet Department standards.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED:
Two-way radio, Taser, handcuffs & waist chains, OC, special locks &keys, and fingerprint scanner.
Corrections Officer/PST: High School Diploma or GED equivalent; and two (2) years of experience which involved a substantial amount of public contact and office clerical duties. Applicant must possess State of Alaska Driver's license and have a clear criminal record. Must be able to pass Municipal Corrections Academy, obtain Certifications for Taser, OC, Emergency Medical Dispatch, CPR & First Aide, APSIN/NCIC Access. Depending on the needs of the position, additional licenses, certifications and/or training may be required. May have to perform physical tasks in an outdoor environment.
Dispatcher only: High School Diploma or GED equivalent; and two (2) years of experience which involved a substantial amount of public contact and office clerical duties. Applicant must possess State of Alaska Driver's license and have a clear criminal record. Must be able to obtain Certifications for Emergency Medical Dispatch, CPR & First Aide, APSIN/NCIC Access. Depending on the needs of the position, additional licenses, certifications and/or training may be required.
The City of Valdez offers an enticing benefits package that includes affordable health insurance, optional life insurance, matching retirement plans, retirement planning advisor, ample paid time off, and many other perks. Becomes effective on the first day of the month after 30 days of employment.
HEALTH INSURANCE

• Currently monthly employee paid premium is less than $100 per family for medical, RX, dental, vision, & hearing
• Basic life insurance policy provided
• Effective 1st day of month following 30 days of employment

Medical

• Low deductible: $100 per person not to exceed $300 per family
• $488 maximum out of pocket expense after deductible has been met

Prescriptions

• Generic Co-Pay $5
• Non-Generic Co-Pay $10
• Up to a 90-day supply from either mail order or brick/mortar pharmacy
• Extensive formulary

Dental

• Deductible: $25 per person not to exceed $75 per family
• Maximum annual benefit of $2500 per person
  • Cleaning & exams pay at 100% with no deductible
• Orthodontics for dependents up to age 19
• Implants are covered not to exceed annual benefit maximums

Vision

• No deductible
• One exam per family member per year
• Lenses each year covered at 90%
• A year supply of contacts annually covered at 50%
• Frames every other year covered at 90% not to exceed $200
• Lasik coverage - $2000 lifetime benefit

Hearing

• No Deductible
• Exam is covered at 90%
• Device is covered at 50%

Optional life insurance

• Based on employees age/wage - not to exceed benefit amount of $60,000
• Spouse coverage available - 1/2 the benefit of the employee at 1/2 the cost
• Coverage for children of $10,000 at $1.19 per month

RETIREMENT PLANS
State of Alaska Public Employee Retirement System

• 8% pre-tax contribution to PERS Tier IV Defined Contribution Plan
  • 5% city match
  • 5-year vesting schedule

Optional deferred compensation plan & city matching 401(a)

• Pre-tax contribution into a 457 plan, not to exceed federal limitations (2022 is $20,500) - no waiting period to enroll
• City will match not to exceed 6.2% for regular employees and 9.3% for executive staff into a 401(a) after 90 days of employment

PAID TIME OFF

• New employees accrue 24 days per year for first 2 years of service
• Hourly employees can accrue compensatory time in lieu of overtime at the rate of 1.5 hours per hour worked

HOLIDAYS

• The City recognizes 12.5 holidays per year
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Presidents Day
  • Seward's Day
  • Memorial Day
  • 4th of July
  • Labor Day
  • Alaska Day
  • Veteran's Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Friday following Thanksgiving
  • ½ Day on Christmas Eve
  • Christmas Day