Police Dispatcher I/II - Lateral Entry (01-26)

****THIS POSITION WILL CLOSE UPON RECEIPT OF A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.****

TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION YOU MUST CURRENTLY BE WORKING AS A POLICE DISPATCHER WITH A POLICE AGENCY AND HAVE AT LEAST ONE OR MORE YEARS OF PAID DISPATCHING EXPERIENCE. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.

Under general supervision, receives and processes routine and emergency calls and alarms; dispatches Police and other public service entities as required; enters, retrieves, and uses data from various automated law enforcement information systems; coordinates with other emergency service providers as appropriate; assists in the training of less experienced personnel; learns applicable policies, procedures and work methods associated with assigned duties; performs other related duties as required. Successful candidates appointed to this position will serve a minimum one-year probationary period. Employees who are bilingual in Spanish are eligible to receive an additional $90 per month. Employees in this job classification will be required to work rotating shifts, including early morning days, nights, weekends and holidays.

(For a complete listing of the essential functions performed by this position, review the class specification)

Receives and processes routine and emergency calls and alarms; dispatches police and other public service entities as required; enters, retrieves, and uses data from various automated law enforcement information systems; coordinates with other emergency service providers as appropriate; assists in the training of less experienced personnel.

Learns and develops an understanding of applicable policies, procedures, and work methods associated with assigned duties; uses law enforcement terminology and cites code sections by number.

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 of Whittier and Santa Fe Springs police operations; dispatches and monitors the status of field units; interprets level of service needed through information obtained from field officers or citizens; maintains calm in radio transmissions during hectic, tense, and dangerous situations.

Maintains accurate log of incoming service requests and actions taken; prepares other reports and records as directed; maintains files necessary for dispatch as assigned; enters, updates, and retrieves information from various computer networks and programs and teletype networks; coordinates multi-agency responses when necessary; transfers calls to appropriate agencies if warranted.

Informs the Watch Commander of calls in progress; maintains records of all pending and dispatched calls for service; receives information and calls for service from other law enforcement agencies; provides information to other agencies by telephone and teletype.

Monitors station security, jail & facility cameras, and jail alarms; assists in the care of juveniles. Enters and removes all vehicles in the system that are stolen, recovered, impounded, stored, or towed.

Responds to questions and concerns from the general public, department staff, and other agencies; takes and records telephone and counter reports; provides information as appropriate and resolves service issues and complaints; may represent the police department and the City's dispatching services on various work groups, interview panels and committees.

Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, State/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public. May work in the Emergency Operations Center and Mobile Command Center. May provide training to less experienced personnel as assigned. May be exposed to confidential and privileged information during the course of duties, which should be maintained as such.

Physical, Mental and Environmental Working Conditions: Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily office activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in retrieving and entering data using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading work related documents and using the computer, and acute hearing is required when providing phone, dispatch, and personal service. The need to lift, drag, and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds also is required.

The City of Whittier encourages applications from qualified individuals with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act and California Fair Employment and Housing Act. Individuals who require accommodation in the application or testing process should contact the Human Resources staff at least 5 days prior to the application deadline or 5 days prior to the testing process so that a reasonable accommodation may be made. Persons requesting a reasonable accommodation will be required to provide documentation of such need. Seeking or receiving an accommodation by the City will have no negative impact on an individual's application or employment.

(The following are minimal qualifications necessary for entry into the classification.)

Education and/or Experience: Applicants must have paid experience as a Police Dispatcher with a law enforcement agency. In addition, this position requires any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for satisfactory job performance. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of two years of experience in typing and general clerical work, including one year of police dispatching experience. In addition to the above, Police Dispatcher II requires two years of experience equivalent to that of a Police Dispatcher I in the City of Whittier.

Special Requirements: Possession of, or ability to obtain a valid Class C California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. Candidates who have used marijuana or dangerous drugs illegally may be rejected. An extensive background investigation, including a polygraph examination, psychological examination and fingerprint check, will be conducted on successful candidates. Must obtain a Dispatch Certificate from California P.O.S.T. within one year of appointment as a Police Dispatcher I.

Knowledge of: Civil, criminal, and municipal provisions relating to the various activities of the City of Whittier's and Santa Fe Springs' Police Departments; law enforcement, fire, and other operating procedures and functions as they relate to the dispatch function; geography of the City of Whittier and Santa Fe Springs and the surrounding environment; legal and procedural techniques and regulations regarding transmission and reception of police radio traffic; basic radio and related equipment maintenance; modern office administrative practices and procedures; methods of providing services and information; ability to learn alphanumeric and other coding protocol; basic principles of mathematics; applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations; standard office procedures, practices, and equipment; including a computer and applicable software; methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation and writing; proper English, spelling, and grammar; and occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

Ability to: Remain calm under emergency situations; perform a variety of complex work with speed and accuracy; learn to operate specialized law enforcement automated information, communication and dispatch systems; work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, overtime, and rotating shifts; wear a department uniform; perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately; interpret, explain, and apply applicable laws, codes, and regulations; read, interpret, and record data accurately; organize, prioritize, and follow up on work assignments; work independently and as part of a team; make sound decisions within established guidelines; analyze a complex issue and develop and implement an appropriate response; follow written and oral directions; observe safety principles and work in a safe manner; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Skill to: Effectively operate specialized law enforcement automated information, communication, and dispatch systems.

Medical: Applicants will be required as a prerequisite to employment to successfully pass a physical examination, including a drug screen, the cost of which will be paid by the City.

Selection/Exam Process: The person selected will be expected to perform all the functions of the position. Based on a review of the applications and the supplemental applications received, the candidates appearing to be the most qualified and meeting the City's particular needs will be invited in writing to the exam process. A candidate must achieve a passing score on each exam to proceed to the next exam.

Exam Information: (Dates to be determined.)

Interview: 100%

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Martin Rivera