The Ontario Police Department's Communication Division is currently accepting applications for the position of Police Dispatcher Trainee. Police Dispatchers are the first to act in an emergency and are the most valuable link between the public and the Police personnel who serve and protect the community. Being a Police Dispatcher in Ontario means being a part of an elite and well respected professional group. Ontario's Police Dispatchers have chosen a profession that is in the business of helping others and find it to be a highly rewarding career. If you've ever had the desire to experience the thrill of being in law enforcement and enjoy the satisfaction of being able to directly help those in need but weren't comfortable being out in the field, the position of Police Dispatcher could be your perfect career choice.
This position responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service; identifies and dispatches Police units using telecommunications equipment; gathers and relays critical information to law enforcement officers; documents calls and responses; and complies with department policies and procedures to assure the safety of City personnel and the public. This position entails the need for applicants with dedication and strong desire to provide excellent customer service and enhance our community safety. Additionally, they must possess the ability to work under pressure while remaining productive. This position is designed to afford both formal and on-the-job training to a novice in the field of public safety emergency telecommunications. The Police Dispatcher Trainee will be placed in a structured training program that will allow for periodic evaluation through the use of evaluation forms and testing.
Background Check Process
All appointments to this position are subject to the successful completion of an in-depth background investigation conducted by the Ontario Police Department as well as a physical examination including a drug screening. The background investigation is a rigorous process, which often takes several months to complete. A typical background investigation includes but is not limited to: background interviews with individuals designated by the Ontario Police Department (this may include current and former co-workers, friends, relatives, neighbors, or any other relevant individual), criminal background check, credit check, polygraph examination, and psychological evaluation. Candidates may be disqualified from further consideration during the background investigation for a variety of reasons including if they have: an excessive number of traffic citations and/or collisions; arrests and/or convictions; a history of illegal substance abuse; poor credit history (factors include bankruptcy, foreclosures, liens, repossessions, and recency); or thefts from a previous employer. For clarification of any of the above disqualifying reasons, please call Police Department Background Unit at (909) 408-1820. The following list describes some areas that are covered in the background investigation:
 

• Your relatives, references, and acquaintances are asked to comment on your suitability for this position.
• The information supplied regarding your educational history is examined and verified.
• You must list a history of your residences.
• Your work history and experience are examined with regard to your dependability, relationships with fellow workers, trustworthiness, and general job performance.
• Military service records are subject to verification.
• The background investigation considers your management of personal finances (however, being in debt does not automatically disqualify you).
• Your criminal, driving, and insurance records are evaluated.

TEAMWORK: Fulfilling community partnerships that instill pride, passion and commitment through communication and performance. Learn from the past and embrace the future through empowerment, respect, and cooperation. 

PROFESSIONALISM: It is not the job we do; it is how we do our job. We are engaging and considerate with our actions, image, and conduct.

INTEGRITY: We hold honesty as our guiding principle. When faced with difficult decisions, we do the right thing, even in the face of adversity.

ACCOUNTABILITY: We openly identify and address problems and willingly accept responsibility for our own actions.

DEDICATION: We are committed to our craft and to the residents, businesses, and visitors of the City of Ontario. 

The City of Ontario 
The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading and growing community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario is proud to have the reputation of being a progressive City providing solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including; Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Public Works, Financial Services and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City's team is staffed with approximately 1,400 full-time and 200 part-time diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.Please click on other useful links below to learn more about the City of Ontario: 
 
Approach to Public Service (Core Values for City of Ontario employees)
 
OntarioCityEmployees.org (Information about City of Ontario employee benefit plans)
 
The Ontario Plan(The City's Comprehensive Business Plan for Development)
Smart Ontario (The Future of Ontario - Growing greener everyday)The essential functions typically performed by the Police Dispatcher Trainee include the following:

• Receives, identifies, and records a variety of calls for assistance from the public related to Police services. Police service calls include those related to robbery, burglary, assault, and domestic violence.
• Hears, understands, and reacts to radio and telephone communication often simultaneously.
• Calms distressed callers, uses interview techniques to gain incident information, and enters calls for service in a timely and accurate manner.
• Provides information to callers, prepares telephone requests for assistance, assigns incident numbers to occurring events, and refers callers to other staff/agencies as appropriate.
• Dispatches Police personnel and equipment based on computerized recommendations, response procedure guidelines, and knowledge of agency requirements.
• Communicates with Police personnel in the field and informs emergency command staff of pending responses from other agencies.
• Maintains status of calls via computer screens, keyboard, and other communications equipment.
• Conducts tests of emergency communication equipment as needed.
• Coordinates use of radio frequencies among ground units and performs routine communication via radio paging for administrative staff.
• Testifies credibly in court.
• Prioritizes safety related information and analyzes complex information for situational changes.
• Applies a working knowledge of regional geography for all the areas served by the Communications Center.
• Serves as back up for Records Division after hours, including CLETS entries.
• Transmits all-point bulletins received by teletype or radio to field units.
• Contacts other agencies to check on subject warrants.
• Runs registration checks on vehicles, property, wanted information, and driver's license status and responds to special requests.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education
High School diploma or recognized equivalent.
Experience
One year of customer or public service related experience involving significant contact with the public. Or the performance of substantially related work experience which includes; multi-tasking, relaying critical information, or the performance of high-impact tasks under urgent conditions.
Desirable

• Law enforcement environment exposure.
• Experience in working with the public.
• Knowledge of CLETS terminal use for law enforcement purposes.
• Knowledge of geography and major road networks of the City and surrounding service areas.
• Possession of a POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate.

Background Investigation
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation conducted by the Ontario Police Department.
Special Requirements

• Ability to work any shift in a 24-hour/day, 7-day/week operation on a rotational basis including weekends and holidays. Shift assignments are based on seniority.
• Ability to work mandatory overtime.
• Ability and willingness to wear mandatory uniform and communication head set.
• Ability to type at a speed of 45 words per minute.
• Ability to learn and retain an extensive amount of codes, terminology and procedures required to perform the basic functions of the job.
• Satisfactory completion of the appropriate POST Certified Basic Complaint/Dispatcher course prior to the end of the probationary period.

Ability to

• Operate a current version Windows based personal computer. Operate a personal computer keyboard with sufficient speed and accuracy to accomplish the core job functions of Police Dispatcher.
• Read, learn, and understand complex instructions and documentation including standard operating procedures, training materials, general orders, maps, and related material.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Understand and retain complex instructions and training concepts.
• Interact and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive, harmonious, and effective working relationships and demonstrate a cooperative and professional attitude at all times.
• Maintain the confidentiality of information as prescribed by law.
• Speak to callers using clarity, courtesy, and tact.
• Work in an environment with exposure to stressful situations which may result from pressure to provide an appropriate and timely response and follow-up required by emergency and routine events that often occur simultaneously.

Sample Career Progression
Experience as a Police Dispatcher Trainee can open the door to additional job opportunities within the Communications Division at the Ontario Police Department. Police Dispatcher Trainees are provided with progressively responsible training opportunities to prepare them to be successful in future job opportunities within the Communications Division. Employees in this position are expected to promote to Police Dispatcher by the end of their probationary period. Police Dispatchers are eligible for promotion to Senior Police Dispatcher upon meeting all requirements, receiving satisfactory performance evaluations, and recommendations from management. Employees interested in promoting to the level of Police Dispatch Supervisor or Police Communications Manager must meet the minimum qualifications for each position and must successfully compete in a recruitment process. The position of Police Dispatcher Trainee and subsequent positions in this career field are both challenging and rewarding due to the nature of emergency work. Below is a sample career progression for an employee in the Communications Division.
 
Police Dispatcher Trainee $4,108.00 - $5038.80 per month
Police Dispatcher $4,525.73 - $5,555.33 per month
Senior Police Dispatcher $4,976.40 - $6,108.26 per month
Police Dispatch Supervisor $7,023.46 - $8,533.20 per month
Police Communications Manager $7,758.40 - $9,427.60 per month
Police Dispatch Probationary Period
The probationary period is to be regarded as an integral part of the testing procedures and shall be utilized for closely observing an employee's work and adjustment within the organization. Police Dispatch Trainees are subject to a probationary period of 18 months. Original and promotional appointments to the positions of Police Dispatcher, Senior Police Dispatcher, and Police Dispatch Supervisor are subject to a probationary period of 12 months. Employees within the Police Dispatcher series will not attain regular status until the successful completion of the probationary period as a Senior Police Dispatcher which could take 3.5 to 5 years following the employee's original hire date.
Selection Process
APPLICATION / PRE-EMPLOYMENT QUESTIONNAIRE REVIEW: A panel selected by the Police Department will review each candidate's application materials, including but not limited to; employment application, resume (if available), and Pre Background Interview Questionnaire to determine if the applicant may be able to successfully complete the background investigation process.
WRITTEN EXAMINATION: Applicants accepted to continue in the recruitment process will be invited to take the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery. Candidates selected to proceed in the recruitment process will be notified by email and have an opportunity to schedule an exam date/time. For additional information regarding the nature of the test battery, please visit POST's website. Candidates must achieve a T-Score of 45 or higher on the test battery to proceed in the selection process.
The City of Ontario will accept a POST T-Score from another agency provided that the examination was taken within one year of the date of application and the T-score is 45 or higher. Specific instructions regarding the submission of a previous T-Score will be provided to those applicants selected to continue in the recruitment process. Applicants that submit a T-score and elect to retake the exam, will have their City of Ontario exam score used for banding purposes. POST guidelines permit applicants to take the examination once in any 30 day period. If you are scheduled to take the examination with another agency within 30 days of the City of Ontario's examination, you must contact the City of Ontario Human Resources Department at (909) 395-2035.
INTERVIEWS: Depending on the needs of the Department, applicants may participate in several panel interviews to further determine their suitability for the position.
SKILLS TESTING: Applicants invited to continue in the selection process may be asked to participate in online skills testing to determine if they possess the skills necessary to be successful in the position. Note: Skills testing may be completed at the same time as departmental interviews.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: All appointments are subject to a satisfactory background investigation, which will include the passing of a polygraph test, and the successful completion of a post-offer psychological and medical exam (including drug screen), and an 18-month probationary period.
 
How to Apply
Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" link at the top of this announcement. If this is the first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com you will be prompted to create a new user account, otherwise log in with your user name and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following:
 

• List any relevant experience and education that demonstrates that you qualify for the position.
• List all periods of employment for at least the past 10 years, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including, if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario).
• Separately list each position held, including different positions with the same employer.