Communications Dispatcher (Entry-Level)

The Position

This job is posted on a continuous basis, and applications will be reviewed monthly for consideration. Be sure to stay attentive to email communication regarding panel interviews. 

**ATTENTION: There are four (4) required parts of the application. You must attach your typing certificate and POST/CritiCall test results in addition to submitting an application and answering the supplemental questions. Information links to sign up for testing dates are found under the application materials description.**

ABOUT US:
The East Bay Regional Park District's Public Safety Department serves over 25 million annual visitors. Our area of patrol includes 73 parks spanning across 126,809 acres, 1,330 miles of trails, and 55 miles of shoreline in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Our Police Department is a full service POST-recognized law enforcement agency with 76 sworn officers. Our department includes a variety of units and patrol opportunities such as Air Support, Marine, Equestrian, Special Enforcement (including off-road vehicles), Investigations, and a 24-hour per day 911 Communications Center. Our Fire Department provides all typical emergency services, including fire suppression, hazardous materials responses, search and rescue, auto extrication, emergency medical services, prescribed burns for fire hazard reduction and resource management. Working closely with neighboring agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, we provide emergency response services when called upon by CAL FIRE and the Office of Emergency Services. Fire also includes a Lifeguard Services Unit that renders support to 15 different environments including pools, lagoons, lakes, and coastlines. Our LS Unit offers an array of services including public instruction on water safety, rescuing distressed swimmers, and providing first aid.

Looking to start a career in a position that supports emergency services in open spaces? Join an agency that will value your work and professional development and apply to be an entry-level Communications Dispatcher today!

For more information about the District's Public Safety Division, please visit the District's website at: https://www.ebparks.org/public-safety.

OUR MISSION:
EBRPD preserves a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources and provides open space, parks, trails, safe and healthful recreation and environmental education. An environmental ethic guides the District in all of its activities.
 
OUR VALUES:

•  Respect – We honor the land we steward, each other, and the park visitors we serve.
•  Resilience – We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.
•  Relationships – Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.
•  Responsiveness – We communicate openly, honestly, and reliably.
•  Transparency – We hold the public's trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.

WHY WORK FOR EBRPD?

• Working with a purpose for a better world today and for future generations through the preservation of open space, public access to the outdoors, and a commitment to the conservation of the natural world found east of the San Francisco Bay across 33 cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
• A community of colleagues who are passionate about public service and the East Bay Regional Park District, the communities it serves, and its mission.
• Excellent benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and pension benefits through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Click here (Download PDF reader) for details regarding additional benefits.
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development.
• Free on-site parking.
• Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles)
• Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch).

THE OPPORTUNITY: 
The Park District is currently recruiting for entry-level Communications Dispatchers to work at our Public Safety HQ located in Castro Valley, CA. The hiring pools established from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur during the one-year life of the hiring pools.

We're Looking for Individuals Who Are:

• Passionate about helping others;
• Great communicators both orally and in writing;
• Capable of establishing and maintaining positive and cooperative working relationships;
• Comfortable and confident in making decisions when faced with limited information;
• Able to exercise authority and take control in emergency situations.

What You'll Be Doing as a Communications Dispatcher:  Under supervision, performs a wide variety of dispatch and routine, non-hazardous law enforcement functions in a non-sworn capacity on a rotational basis within the public safety department; performs related duties as assigned.

Application materials for this position consist of four (4) required parts:
1. A current East Bay Regional Park District application submitted online; and
2. Completed supplemental questions; and
3. A valid Typing Speed Certificate**; and
4. Proof of successful completion of ONE of the following:
       (The links to sign up for the tests can be found below***)

• POST Entry-level Dispatcher Test Battery T-Score OR
• The CritiCall Pre-Employment Skills Test 

**Typing Speed Certificate Requirements: This position requires that you type a minimum of 40 net words per minute. You must attach a valid Typing Speed Certificate meeting the following criteria:

• Demonstrating that the applicant passed a five (5) minute typing test;
• Must be dated within 12 months of the posting closing date;
• Must be from an accredited business school or college, adult education center, skills/business center, or a public agency; internet certificates are acceptable.
• Must display the following items: Candidate name, date and duration of the test, gross words typed per minute, number of errors, name and signature of the examiner administering the test, and name, address, and telephone number of the testing agency.

***POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Test Battery T-Score OR CritiCall Pre-Employment Skills Test: Any applicants who have taken a POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Test Battery with another agency within twelve (12) months of applying for the position should attach a copy of their T-Score to the job application. A copy of the CritiCall Pre-Employment Skills Test can be accepted in lieu of the POST Dispatcher Test Battery T-Score.

To enroll in one of the above-mentioned required tests, click on the link below: 
Dispatch Communications Testing Registration 

• POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Test Battery T-Score: Cost is $35 (Testing dates and times are found on the website linked above.)
• CritiCall Pre-Employment Skills Test: Cost is $77 (Testing dates and times are found on the website linked above.) 

Tentative Date of Onsite Examinations

Skills Tests (POST or CritiCall): Results submitted with application

Best Qualified Review (supplemental responses review) and oral panel interviews will take place on a roughly bimonthly basis. Department selection interviews will follow the oral panel interviews. The timing of the department selection interviews will vary based on the department's current hiring needs.

Essential Functions

• Performs tasks necessary to effectively dispatch police, fire and park operations resources, as required; 
• Receives telephone calls from members of the public, employees, or other agencies requesting general park information, police or fire assistance, including “911” and other emergency calls;
• Transmits and receives radio messages; 
• Analyzes situations and dispatches the appropriate units; 
• Dispatches mobile units and other equipment to specified locations as ordered; 
• Makes telephone requests for ambulance, vehicle towing, or other emergency services as requested by officers in the field; 
• Monitors other law enforcement and fire agencies’ radio frequencies and rebroadcasts pertinent information; 
• Communicates with other agencies to coordinate a medical response; 
• Operates and makes minor adjustments to radio telephone transmitting and receiving equipment; 
• Responds to in-field requests for communications aid at critical incidents or any aid when requested by a supervisor including: responding to a Mobile Incident Command center or off-site communications center in emergency situations, assists in the facilitation of emergency evacuation of the communications center via patrol vehicle, Mobile Incident Command vehicle, or personal vehicle; 
• Participates in mandatory off-site department trainings including but not limited to out of jurisdiction locations; 
• Performs varied clerical duties such as typing, maintaining message logs, assisting on reports and records, filing, answering phones, and responding to inquiries from the public and other agencies; 
• Processes police (court cases and parking citations), fire, medical, and field reports; 
• Performs data entry and retrieves data; 
• May be required to collect monies from members of the public for the purpose of paying fees for towing, dog permits, copies of reports, other services, or for paying fines; 
• Serves as Communications Supervisor in their absence; 
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade; AND
 
Experience: Two years of recent, responsible work experience.
  
License or Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record is a condition of initial and continued employment in this classification.

Additional Information

Knowledge of:

• The purposes and general methods of police and fire dispatching;
• Routine clerical operations;
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access

Ability to:

• Type 40 net words per minute; 
• Multi-task; 
• File and prepare accurate reports; 
• Manual dexterity to operate telephone, radio, and computer keyboard equipment; 
• Speak English proficiently, clearly and audibly; 
• Memorize and retain information quickly; 
• Meet physical requirements (e.g., eyesight and hearing to satisfactorily complete job tasks); spell correctly; 
• Learn the laws, regulations, and rules applicable to area of assignment; 
• Learn operating procedures and policies of assigned division; 
• Follow instructions, reason clearly, analyze situations accurately, act quickly and effectively in emergency situations; 
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers and park users.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must pass a Level 3 background screening 

• Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, and holiday shifts

• Must wear a Park District uniform

• Possession of current First Aid and CPR certificates must be obtained within the probationary period of this classification and maintained for continued employment. Failure to obtain and subsequently maintain the required certifications could result in incumbent’s removal from position.

Union Affiliation: 
POLICE ASSOCIATION: The Park District's Police Association (PA) represents this classification. Wages, hours, and other terms of conditions of employment are covered in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Park District and the PA. The probationary period for this classification is eighteen (18) months.

Application process:
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system. If you have previously applied to a position on GovernmentJobs.com, please allow time to update your existing profile. Applications are accepted online only.  Our online application system is provided by NeoGov.  If you encounter problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov Help Desk toll-free at (855) 524-5627.
 
Notification:  All applicants will be notified of the disposition of their application via email, generally within two weeks after the closing date. You may also sign into your governmentjobs.com account to view your current application status and notifications. If you have any questions, please reach out to HR Analyst, Christina Souza at [email protected].
 
Selection Process: The application materials for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for interview or testing. The District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment procedures before and after the interview process. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or invitation to test. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment.

The selection process for Communications Dispatcher will include the following steps:
1. Minimum Qualifications review & confirm required documents (including Skills Testing)
2. Best Qualified Review: Subject matter expert(s) will review supplemental question responses to select those that are best qualified to be invited to the panel interviews;
3. Oral Board Interview: An interview panel will establish final hiring pools;
4. Selection Interviews: A secondary interview with the hiring manager and possibly other Department staff;
5. Background Examination: The candidate(s) selected for this position will undergo a background investigation as outlined in the CA Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Public Safety Dispatcher Selection Requirements. Background investigators will contact references, friends, family, former and current employers and other contacts in order to verify information provided by the candidate in a Personal History Statement. In addition, investigators will perform a criminal records check, a credit check and a driving record check. Candidates will have their fingerprints taken to satisfy a CA Department of Justice and FBI official clearance. Candidates will complete a polygraph and psychological examination, as well as undergo a medical examination appropriate to the specific position. Information revealed during the background investigation may be grounds for disqualification during the selection process.
6. Probationary Period: Once hired, the candidate must successfully complete an 18-month probationary period.

Special Testing Arrangements: If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at 510-544-2154.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
The East Bay Regional Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects a diverse workforce and community. It is committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive workspace that is welcoming to all. Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Martin Rivera