Lateral Dispatcher

The City of Santa Maria has an exciting opportunity for Lateral Dispatchers! (Note: The Dispatcher II (Lateral Dispatcher) is distinguished from the Dispatcher I in that the former is journey level and possesses two years of dispatch experience in a law enforcement agency, and functions under limited supervision as opposed to direct supervision and training.)

• $6,000 hiring incentive to lateral Dispatchers with a valid POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate
  • $2k at time of hire  
  •  $2k upon successful completion of training
  •  $2k upon successful completion of probation
• Credit for full time service with a POST recognized agency (for vacation accrual purposes)
• 7% Longevity Pay for employees with ten (10) years of sworn law enforcement service
• 10% Longevity Pay for employees with twenty (20) years of sworn law enforcement service

WHO WE ARE:

The City of Santa Maria is a full-service City with a City Council/City Manager form of government with over 700 employees, an annual budget of approximately $291.4 million and serves approximately 112,208 constituents. The City of Santa Maria is located on the beautiful central coast of California and covers over 23 square miles. The City has a harmonious balance of maintaining coastal and agricultural lands while promoting business. Santa Maria has been recognized nationally as an All-America City by the National Civic League and offers reasonably priced housing, community festivals, quality schools, and is in close proximity to beaches, cultural arts, a local airport, wineries, and higher education institutions.
 
WHAT WE DO:

The Santa Maria Police Department strives to protect and serve all those who live, work, and/or visit Santa Maria. This is accomplished by working in cooperation with the community, promoting safety and enforcing the law. The SMPD Communications Center operates on a 24-hour basis and handles approximately 160,000 calls for service each year including all emergency 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls for services. Dispatchers play a vital role in the delivery of public safety for the community and ensures that appropriate resources are dispatched on a timely basis. 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
The ideal candidate exhibits the following qualities:

• Experienced public safety dispatcher
• Ability to multi-task
• Integrity and Ethics
• Self-motivated
• Excellent communication skills
• Problem solving and decision making in potentially high stress situations
• Good judgement under pressure
• Spanish speaking skills are highly desirable

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION:
Dispatcher II
 
REQUIRED SUBMITTALS:

Due upon application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Public Safety Dispatcher POST Certificate

These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization.  This position:

• Trans­mits and receives radio, telephone, teletype messages, and other electronic communications equipment.
• Receives and processes routine and emergency calls for service.
• Determines nature and priority of call and dispatches appropriate equipment and personnel.
• Secures and records information of the transmission.
• Provides routine information and assistance to the public over the telephone
• Operates a CLETS teletype and computer terminal (or related equipment).
• Monitors various multi-channel radio frequencies.
• Performs routine clerical and/or record keeping work.
• May act as lead supervisor in his/her absence.
• Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the department director.
• Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

Individual Contributor:
Incumbents should have a solid foundation of the following core competencies identified by the organization to be essential and listed in order of importance (click the hyper link to see the full definition Individual Contributor Competencies):

• Team Player- Effective performers are team oriented, share resources, respond to requests, and support a spirit of cooperative effort.
• Customer Orientation- Effective performers are in touch with community needs and review the organization through the eyes of Santa Maria residents. They go out of their way to anticipate needs.  
• Integrity- Effective performers think and act ethically and honestly, take responsibility for their actions and foster a work environment where integrity is rewarded.
• Composure- Effective performers maintain emotional control, even under ambiguous or stressful circumstances, and demonstrate emotions appropriate to the situation.
• Functional/Technical Expertise- Effective performers are knowledgeable and skilled in a functional specialty (e.g., finance, public works, planning, information technology, human resources, etc.), and remain current in their area of expertise.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making- Effective performers identify problems, solve them, act decisively, and show good judgment.
• Learning Agility- Effective performers continuously seek new knowledge, are curious, learn quickly, and use new information effectively.
• Drive/Energy- Effective performers have a high level of energy and are ambitious and passionate about their role. They have stamina and endurance to maintain a fast pace.

• Dispatcher II
  • Ideally, two years of dispatch experience in a law enforcement agency; and 
  • Graduation from high school.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
  • Employees may be considered for a level II advancement after completion of two years in the Dispatcher I assignment, at the Department Director discretion.
• Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as: 
  • Public safety computer system operations; video display terminal and dispatching consoles; enhanced 911 telephone system and other associated public safety communications equipment; etc.
  • Operation of a modern, mid-size public safety communications center; record keeping techniques and proper office procedures; operational policies and procedures; etc.
  • Hear and understand English language; understand, retain, and recall information and instructions;
  • Primary roads, streets, highways, area, major buildings and public facilities within the boundaries of the authority user and associate user agencies.
  • Respond quickly, calmly, and helpfully, and make sound decisions on dispatching assistance in emergency situations.
  • Read maps and communicate directions
  • Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent). 
  • Use computer and other office equipment effectively. 
• Possession of Public Safety Dispatcher POST Certificate

The completed electronic application packet will include the online application, supplemental questions, and electronic attachments of a cover letter, resume, and POST Certificate. If you are experiencing any technical (computer related) difficulties or need help with attaching documents to your application, please call the NEOGOV help line for assistance at 1-855-524-5627.

Qualified candidates will be placed on the eligibility list and may be selected to appear before a panel for an oral interview. Those applicants invited to interview will be notified electronically at the e-mail address provided by each candidate through the application process. Therefore, it is the applicant's responsibility to provide an accurate email address and to allow their inbox to receive emails in regard to this recruitment.  Department selection interviews will be ongoing and offered as qualified applications are received. 

Prior to an offer of employment, applicants must pass a thorough background investigation, including security clearance, polygraph test, psychological exam, and medical evaluation.