Police Communications Dispatcher - Lateral (Continuous)

Are you an experienced Police Dispatcher? The City of Oakland is accepting applications to join the Oakland Police Department Communications Division. Come and join a wonderful team of professionals dedicated to serving the citizens of Oakland. Continue your dispatch career with the City of Oakland!  

During training, working hours and days off vary. Dispatchers may work any of the three shifts in a 24-hour period; may be required to work a schedule with rotating days off; often work weekends, holidays, and overtime as required by emergencies or Departmental needs. This is a public contact position.

We are looking for someone who: 

• possesses the ability to act promptly, logically, and decisively;
• can communicate clearly;
• is able to read, comprehend and retain information;
• will maintain a calm and professional demeanor even under stressful situations;
• has the ability to adapt to changing situations;
• is able to multi-task;
• is highly self-motivated; and
• will display a high level of integrity.

The sensitivity of the position calls for emotionally stable applicants. Applicants must have a satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen. Final candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation, a polygraph examination, and a medical examination. Excessive alcohol usage, drug abuse, a poor work record or any falsification of employment information are grounds for disqualification from employment consideration.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Receiving and screening telephone calls and recording data
• Analyzing calls for priority level
• Using computer-aided keyboard and data entry equipment or manually recording and relaying information (often of an emergency nature) to appropriate units
• Receiving, transmitting, and recording data
• Running queries in automated warrant information systems
• Answering questions from the public
• Dispatching from a mobile command center, as requested

A few reasons why you might love a career as a Police Communications Dispatcher:

• The work you do directly impacts the public and City of Oakland residents.
• You will have the ability to demonstrate your honesty, moral and ethical decision-making skills.
• In this role, you will use your fact-finding abilities to identify needs, make decisions, and address issues.
• There are lots of opportunity for growth within the City of Oakland

A few challenges you may face as a Police Communications Dispatcher:

• You must remain calm to effectively handle high-stress situations.
• This position requires that you are careful about details and thorough in completing tasks.
• You will need to maintain composure when faced with callers in aggressive, angry, or emotional situations. 

Competencies Required:

• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job.
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.
• Learning Agility: Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to one’s work.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue.
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers.
• Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization.
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals

*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland! Working for the City of Oakland

Read the complete job description at: Class specifications 

Note: This is a continuous recruitment process; eligible candidates may remain on the eligible list for 2 years. 

This recruitment is open to experienced Police Dispatchers. 

• If you do not possess previous Police Dispatcher experience, please apply at: Police Communications Dispatcher - Open (Continuous) 
• If you are a current, SEIU-represented, permanent employee of the City and Port of Oakland with no previous Police Dispatcher experience, you may apply at: Police Communications Dispatcher - RESTRICTED (Continuous) 

Minimum Requirements for Application

• Applicants currently working in California as a Dispatcher in a law enforcement environment must possess a valid Public Safety Dispatcher's Basic Course Certificate issued the California P.O.S.T.
• Applicants currently working outside of California as a Dispatcher in a law enforcement environment must pass the  P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course within one year of appointment as a condition of continued employment. 
• Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.

Bilingual Requirements: A select number of positions filled through this recruitment will require selective bilingual skills in one or more of the following languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish. Please note, identified bilingual skills will be tested prior to a final offer of employment. Candidates must pass the bilingual skills test to achieve placement on and/or remain on the bilingual skills eligible list. NOTE: Bilingual skills are not required for most positions. 

Martin Rivera