Public Safety Assistant

Description

The City reserves the right to limit the applications considered to the first 100 applicants.
This recruitment may close at any time; apply immediately.

THE CITY
Located in the gateway to the Los Angeles metropolis, the City of Paramount offers secure quality of life to its residents and a business-friendly attitude that has created a growing retail and services sector, with a thriving Downtown.

Paramount's government is a stable, innovative, and financially conservative organization, and the City has continually invested in its infrastructure and emphasized code enforcement and assistance programs to help residents and businesses upgrade and maintain their properties. For these reasons, the City has a distinctive appearance that appeals to current and potential residents.

For its employees, Paramount offers a family-friendly organization that places emphasis on lifework balance and flexibility. City leadership highly values the input and impact of each employee. Rather than work from the top-down, Paramount chooses collaboration, fostering a professional, respectful, and fulfilling work environment.

CITY GOVERNMENT
The City of Paramount is operated by 7 departments: City Manager, Administrative Services; Planning; Public Safety; Public Works; Community Services, and Finance.

With an operating budget of $96.2M, City population of 54,000, and covering 4.7 square miles, the City of Paramount is dedicated to providing fiscally responsible services that maintain a vibrant community that is Safe, Healthy, and Attractive! We value respect and ethical behaviors, adaptability, service excellence, and accountability. The City promotes innovation through teamwork, and providing effective, inclusive, and transparent public information and engagement.

THE POSITION

Under direction, to perform specialized clerical work within the Public Safety Department. The Public Safety Assistant will greet and assist staff and visitors; provide customer service on a variety of matters related to Public Safety operations; respond to phone or radio calls from officers in the field and provide requested information. The Public Safety Assistant will prepare standard and department-specific documents from drafts or templates; respond to verbal and written complaints, including requests for information from the public; handle cash and process payments and/or refunds; and perform other related duties as assigned.

Examples of Duties

• Respond to customer inquiries, problems and complaints in person at a public counter or by telephone; screen calls, receive messages and/or identify customer request; refer customers to appropriate persons regarding services, accounts or other department business lines including crime, citations, vehicle releases and neighborhood issues.
• Research customer records and account information; gather information to assist staff in resolving customer issues; follow-up on inquiries from the public or staff.
• Receive and respond to incoming telephone and voice radio calls from officers in the field requesting information.
• Fingerprint City and department employees, offenders and members of the public using automated fingerprinting equipment (LIVESCAN) and following prescribed procedures.
• Perform data entry, word processing and recordkeeping functions in support of department and section operations.
• Perform routine clerical work, such as filing, billing, checking and recording information on records.
• Perform daily accounting of a cash register; ensure accounting accuracy, adequate change, daily cash sheet, receipt paper, receive and process payments, reports, voids and inquiries.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education, training, and work experience that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position may be qualifying. A typical combination is as follows:

Experience:

Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience performing general clerical work, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Experience in a public agency is desirable.

Training:

High school graduation or equivalent is required. Some college course work is desirable.

License or Certificate:

Valid Class C California Driver License and acceptable driving record.

Knowledge of:

• Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.
• Clerical accounting processes.
• Clerical methods of researching, gathering, organizing and reporting data.
• Methods of prioritizing, planning and organizing office work.
• Time management techniques.
• Clerical customer service techniques.
• Clerical recordkeeping, filing and data reporting techniques.
• Cash handling procedures.
• Basic mathematics, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and percentages.
• Telephone techniques and etiquette.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Personal computers and standard business software to perform clerical tasks.

Skill to:

• Effectively utilize modern office equipment, including personal computers and standard business software such as the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Gather accurate information through interviews and observation.
• Type and enter data accurately and at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and percentages.
• Safely operate one or more types of vehicles if required by assignments.
• Interact with the public using tact, patience and courtesy.

Ability to:

• Accurately follow oral and written instructions.
• Perform a variety of clerical recordkeeping duties.
• Interact frequently with the public and provide customer service in a calm, courteous and helpful manner.
• Maintain accurate records and efficient files using a variety of clerical organizational tools and filing structures.
• Apply and explain basic laws, codes, rules and regulations applicable to municipal public safety activities.
• Adhere to established work schedules and timelines.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

Supplemental Information

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting and requires: the use of standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; the ability to perform work that is primarily sedentary, although standing in and walking between work areas may be required; finger dexterity to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing and pulling drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements

Work is primarily performed in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances; may require interacting with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental and City policies and procedures.