The typing certificate must be attached to the online application and scored according to the following method: 5 minute timed typing exercise, showing a gross rate of speed and a net rate of speed. This information MUST be included on the typing certificate. Applications received without a valid typing certificate attached, or not meeting the minimum words per minute (
) WILL NOT be considered and WILL NOT be contacted to correct the deficiency.
If you have any specific questions regarding the recruitment and selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (925) 671-3308.
POLICE DISPATCHER II Purpose
In support of police law enforcement and other public safety functions, performs activities related to the processing of service requests including communications and dispatch, status monitoring, information development and communication, entry level dispatcher training, and records and files maintenance in a computer-aided environment; performs related and other work as required all within the context of the City's Mission of providing responsive, cost effective, and innovative local government services through a collaborative effort with the community to make Concord a city of the highest quality.
Equipment, Methods & Guidelines
Uses computer-aided dispatch system, including 911 emergency telephone, Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) and other multi-line telephone systems, various law enforcement telecommunications systems, multi-channel radio console with headsets and telephone handsets, video display terminals, computer keyboards, and alarm systems. Resource materials include hardware and software documentation, Dispatcher Training Manual, Dispatcher Training Guide, call-out schedules, maps, standardized service request classifications, level of response decision criteria, policies, regulations, operating procedures, directives, and violation codes contained in both City and other agency reference documents and manuals.
Working Conditions
Work is located in the Police Communications Center with variable lighting intensity and background noise. Work includes pressures generated by the necessity for appropriate and timely responses and follow-up required by emergency and routine events that often occur simultaneously. Work also involves prolonged periods of sitting. Incumbents are subject to shift assignments including evenings, weekends, and holidays; and to shift holdovers, early work calls, and scheduled overtime.
Physical Demands
Work emphasizes clear speech, visual and hearing acuity, and manual dexterity; prolonged periods of sitting and of wearing a headset; may occasionally perform moderate lifting (such as 30-50 pound boxes of computer paper), carrying, pushing, pulling and stooping. Must be able to work in an environment, with randomly occurring periods that are dominated by crisis situations and stress filled working conditions.
Supervisory Guidance Received/Given
Supervision received is intended to prescribe both general and detailed methods for achieving objectives. This is the journey level dispatcher classification and incumbents are expected to assist in training and monitoring the progress of entry level dispatchers when conditions require.
- Receives, interprets, classifies, prioritizes and responds to calls of a routine and emergency nature, including those calls involving life-threatening situations. Enters relevant information by computer keyboard and, as appropriate, transmits message for dispatching.
- Assigns calls to police units for necessary action, determining how many and which units are required for response. May coordinate, with patrol supervisors regarding deployment of personnel. Visually monitors video display terminals and aurally monitors police radio frequencies to ensure correct status of officers and pending and dispatched calls, making "on-line changes" via keyboard as appropriate. Calls out Public Works standby personnel, perform call-outs for various local government entities, and monitors local government radio for their status.
- Determines appropriate communications or research channels selecting from emergency telephone lines, radio room telephone lines, business telephone lines, police radio channels, other agency radio channels, and manual computerized information systems.
- Provides information to officers expeditiously in areas such as warrants, vehicles, driver's licenses, parole, and criminal history information. Interprets or clarifies coded responses from various systems for police officers or other parties. Confirms warrants with responsible agencies, receives warrants and updates status of warrants.
- Accesses and updates information in a variety of on-line Law Enforcement data systems, including systems which contain confidential data.
- Develops, confirms, and relays information by contacting persons such as those in the internal chain of command; relatives of those involved in incidents; employers; hospitals; sworn and non-sworn public safety personnel at other agencies; other City departments; ambulance services; detoxification centers; tow companies; attorneys; state parole; animal control; commercial establishments; alarm companies; and schools.
- Monitors other public safety and emergency preparedness radio traffic; fire panel and security system boards; local government radio channels; and jail and complaint desk alarms, and takes appropriate actions.
- Maintains various logs and records of activities, such as radio transmissions, telephone calls received, call-outs and tow requests, equipment failure log, personal time keeping an attendance.
- Follows defined alternative procedures in the event of computer or other equipment malfunction such as performing shut down and start up procedures. Performs various tasks to ensure proper operation of equipment such as setting and resetting computer system, video display terminals, mobile data terminals and printers; and changing print ribbons, paper, and recording tapes.
- Performs activities related to the operation of a county-wide law enforcement radio system (CLERS) such as monitoring radio channel and issuing all points bulletins following county protocol and procedures.
- Assists in training entry level and per diem dispatchers as required.
- Promotes the City's Mission to make Concord a city of the highest quality by providing responsive, cost-effective, and innovative government services; understands and subscribes to the Vision and Values Statement adopted by the City.
- Performs other work as assigned.
Conviction History: If you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with the City of Concord.
Knowledge and Abilities:
Knowledge of specific data processing and telecommunications equipment used in a public safety Communications Center. Knowledge of relevant sections of various California codes such as the Penal, Health and Safety, Municipal, Welfare and Institutions, and Vehicle codes; interdepartmental regulations, policies and procedures; various hardware and software documentation; Federal Communications Commission Regulations; of the resources, equipment, methods, procedures, and nomenclature included in and associated with computer-aided dispatch and automated information systems.
Ability to read, comprehend, and retain. Ability to learn the geographic layout of the City, including location of streets, street names, freeways, shopping centers, industrial parks, hotels, and other landmarks. Ability to remain calm in situations of stress; to assess events quickly and accurately; to adapt communications and behavioral styles appropriately in response to individuals and situations; to obtain and accurately record required information; to effectively classify and prioritize service requests; to act promptly and decisively; to make acceptable decisions; to quickly search and find information from resource systems, manuals, maps and other documents and to accurately and concisely convey such information orally and in writing; to spell accurately and use correct grammar; to speak clearly, concisely and audibly; to perform multiple tasks simultaneously; to meet the physical requirements of the work; to understand and carry out oral and written instructions; and to establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education: Satisfactory completion of high school or the equivalent.
Experience: Three years of related work experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of a law enforcement dispatcher in a computer-assisted environment, including at least one year experience working in a POST-certified law enforcement communications center.
Other:
- Ability to operate an alpha-numeric keyboard with sufficient speed and accuracy to provide efficient input into a computer terminal, measured by the ability to type at a rate of 35 words per minute (net).
- A typing certificate issued within the last 12 months is required. The typing certificate must be attached to the online application and scored according to the following method: 5 minute timed typing exercise, showing a gross rate of speed and a net rate of speed. This information MUST be included on the typing certificate. Applications received without a valid typing certificate, or not meeting the minimum net words per minute WILL NOT be considered and WILL NOT be contacted to correct the deficiency. Online typing tests WILL NOT be accepted.
- For a list of agencies where you can obtain your typing certificate, please click here.
- Must have normal (or correctable to normal) hearing and eyesight and a clear and audible voice for radio and telephone communications.
- Must have successfully completed the POST-certified police dispatcher course and have successfully passed probation as a dispatcher for a POST-certified law enforcement communications center.
- Must successfully complete a background investigation as a condition of employment.
- A California Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record are conditions of initial and continued employment.
EEO/ADA: The City of Concord is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants.
If you have a disability and require accommodations in the testing process, please contact Human Resources at 925-671-3308 or hrdept@cityofconcord.org prior to the final filing date.