Emergency Communications Dispatcher II

Position Description

Final Filing Deadline: Continous

Exam #26/80S21/01LC

Calling All EXPERIENCED 9-1-1 Dispatchers To Join Our Team.

THIS IS NOT AN ENTRY LEVEL POSITION

Applicants must have current experience as a public safety dispatcher.

The Emergency Communications Department (ECD) also referred to as “9-1-1” is a standalone Department that operates the Countywide consolidated emergency communications system. The Department is the primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for the County of Monterey and provides emergency and non-emergency call answering and dispatch services, including status reporting and coordination to the County Sheriff, Probation Department, 11 of the 12 incorporated city police departments, fire agencies for all 12 cities, three County fire districts, the Monterey Regional Airport District, Salinas Valley State Prison, and California State University Monterey Bay Police Department and associated activity for after-hours dispatch of other non-public safety responders.

Position Summary

The Department has a 24-seat primary center as well as remote location with 12 seats. Central Square Enterprise CAD, and a Harris Radio system are utilized. Communications Dispatcher II's are under general supervision, to dispatch public safety personnel and equipment for law and fire agencies. All dispatchers answer 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls. This is the journey level class in the Emergency Communications Dispatcher series.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time basis.

Examples of Duties

• Receives 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls for service; utilizes interrogation techniques/protocols to evaluate what type of help is needed; transmits radio traffic in response to complaints and inquiries from law enforcement, fire, other responders, and the public
• Enters information by typing while having a live conversation into a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system
• Determines scene and responder safety; transfers the call to the proper emergency service provider, or provides information to field units and/or public
• Manages callers who may be in distress and highly emotional
• Initiates incident response
• Dispatches police or fire personnel and equipment on both routine and emergency calls utilizing the computer-aided dispatch system, computer terminals, radio dispatching consoles, and related equipment
• Controls radio traffic, monitors, and maintains status of assigned public safety personnel and equipment at all times; anticipates needs of public safety personnel
• Analyzes situations accurately and takes effective action to help assure officer and public safety
• Utilizes map and GIS software programs to identify the location of an incident and to monitor units
• Inquires, interprets, verifies, receives, and disseminates information from law enforcement computer networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and related matters
• Provide instructional and on-the-job training to staff as assigned
• Receives reports and coordinates the dispatching of emergency vehicles and public safety personnel
• Provides backup to other dispatchers as necessary
• Records the nature and source of all incoming and outgoing phone and radio messages as required
• Relays critical information as quickly as possible
  
  

To view the complete classification description, please visit the County of Monterey website:

Emergency Communications Dispatcher II

The Successful Candidate

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills and abilities.

Working Knowledge Of

• Techniques, procedures and methods used in the operation of a public safety communications center
• The operation of a public safety computer-aided dispatch system, video display terminals, radio dispatching consoles, enhanced 9-1-1 telephone system and other associated public safety communications equipment
• Two-way radio, telephone, and other related equipment commonly used in public safety dispatching
• Rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission pertaining to radio and telephone operations
  
  

Skill and Ability to:

• Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively
• Effectively operate the public safety computer-aided dispatch system, telephone system, computer terminals, radio dispatch consoles and associated equipment
• Monitor audible information from multiple sources (telephone, radio, and co-workers) in an open space and noisy environment
• Interpret rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Document information in English in a clear, organized, concise, and understandable manner
• Coordinate multiple events and emergency responses
• Retain, recall, and evaluate facts and/or details solely from memory
• Deal tactfully with the general public, law enforcement and other officials
• Empathize with members of the public in sensitive and/or distressful situations
• Perform multiple tasks while monitoring background telephone and radio communications
• Multi-task requiring simultaneous typing (rapid keyboard), talking on the radio, answering multiple telephone calls and radio traffic, and switching between computer screens and applications
• Work under pressure, exercising good judgment and common sense while making sound decisions in emergency situations
• Read and interpret various mapping devices and relay pertinent information
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with co-workers, management staff, public safety personnel, and the general public
• Provide effective customer service
• Transition from periods of mental and physical inactivity to periods of intense and stressful mental and physical activity (rapid keyboarding) at a moment’s notice
• Use a computer and keyboard and computer equipment with a moderate speed and a high level of accuracy
• Accurately type a minimum of 30wpm (net on a computer keyboard)
  
  

Examples of Experience/Education/Training

Experience

Any combination of training, education, and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the duties listed above is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Approximately one year of experience performing duties comparable to the position of Communications Dispatcher I in Monterey County.

Additional Information

Required Conditions Of Employment

As a condition of employment, the incumbent will be required to:

• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency; travel out of County to attend meetings
• Willingness and ability to remain seated at a console for long periods of time
• Work mandatory overtime as assigned
• Must be able to pass a thorough law enforcement background investigation
• Per Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Program Regulation 1018, every Public Safety Dispatcher shall satisfactorily complete the Continuing Professional Training (CPT) requirement of twenty-four (24) or more hours of POST-qualifying training during every two-year CPT cycle, based on the statewide CPT Anniversary Date as specified in subsection 1018(d)(2)
• Pursuant to Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Program Regulations Section 1018, possession of a California POST-certified Public Safety Dispatchers’ Basic Certificate within one year
  
  

Benefits

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the J-Unit Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

Notes

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form 1-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.
  
  

Application and Selection Procedures

Apply On-Line at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/countyofmonterey

or

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal

business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:

Monterey County, Human Resources Department

168 W. Alisal Street, 3rd Floor

Salinas, CA 93901

Phone: (831) 759-6723

Qualifications

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions
  
  

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Click Here to View the Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application

To apply for veterans’ preference points, veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibility within 5 business days of submitting their job application to VeteransPreferencePoints@countyofmonterey.gov

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Laura Carucci, Human Resources Analyst, at CarucciLR@countyofmonterey.gov or (831) 759-6723.

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/human-resources/human-resources/benefits/benefit-summary-sheet

01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Your responses to the questions will be reviewed and scored in a Qualifications Appraisal evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as this information will be critical in the competitive assessment to identify those candidates that will be invited to continue in the examination process. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your responses to the supplemental questions as incomplete. Note: All application materials submitted will be reviewed along with your supplemental questions and County of Monterey application.

• I have read and understand the supplemental questions instructions.
  
  

02

Are you currently employed as an Emergency Communications Dispatcher at a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)?

• Yes, I am currently employed as a Dispatcher.
• No, I am not, but was employed in the last 24 months. (retired or resigned)
• No, it has been longer than 24 months.
  
  

03

• Experience as a public safety dispatcher in a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).
• I have Law Radio, Fire Radio, and Call taker Experience.
• I have Law Radio and Call Taker Experience.
• I have Fire Radio and Call Taker Experience.
• None, but willing to learn (If you check this box, you should be applying for the Communications Dispatcher Trainee position.
  
  

04

Years of Experience: As it relates to this position?

• More than 5 years working as a Communications Dispatcher in a Public Safety Communications Center
• More than 3 years working as a Communications Dispatcher in a Public Safety Communications Center
• More than 1 year working as a Communications Dispatcher in a Public Safety Communications Center
• None, but willing to learn (If you check this box, you should be applying for the Communications Dispatcher Trainee position.
  
  

05

Dispatch Certification: What is your current experience level?

• I have successfully completed the California Peace Officer Standards and Training - (POST) Basic Dispatch Academy and have my certificate.
• My agency has not yet sent me to the POST Dispatch Academy.
• I am an out of state applicant.
• Required Question