Public Safety Dispatcher ll

Public Safety Dispatcher II (Lateral)

The City of Murrieta is accepting applications for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher II (Lateral) to fill one (1) current vacancy in our Police Department. The eligibility list established may be used to fill upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to one (1) year.

The ideal candidates should be able to deal effectively with a diverse public in routine and emergency situations and demonstrate high communication skills. Prior experience as police, fire, or medical dispatcher is highly desirable. The City has implemented Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD) for all communications personnel.

Essential Functions

• Receives police and emergency calls for service; assesses with the caller the nature of the call through a series of questions and formulates a call for service; determines the severity of the call; ascertains officer safety and public safety needs with the caller; takes action as prescribed through standard operating procedures and/or refers to supervisor or manager for direction
• Dispatches public safety emergency units in accordance with established procedures and policies using a computerized dispatch system, including determining priority of emergency and contacting and sending appropriate response units
• Maintains contact with field units, including accounting for location and status of units and maintaining records of field calls; sends back-up units, as necessary, ensuring the safety of field units
• Dispatches and communicates with fire and rescue personnel on the radio, while taking numerous emergency and non-emergency calls during emergency and high priority events; relays information to appropriate dispatchers when additional resources are needed
• Provides general information to the public; refers callers to appropriate agencies; calms angered or distraught callers; maintains professionalism in radio transmissions during hectic, tense and dangerous situations
• Operates multiple computers, telephone lines, and radio console and telecommunication equipment simultaneously while performing dispatching activities; tests and inspects equipment as assigned; may troubleshoot equipment issues as required
• Logs call data in a written or automated format; monitors calls after initial dispatch to provide additional coordination, support, or information
• Enters, updates, and retrieves a variety of records from teletype database, including stolen vehicles and property, vehicle registration information, guns and property, and warranted or missing persons, restraining orders, and all out-of-state information including, but not limited to, driver's license, license plates and criminal history
• Accesses federal, state, and local law enforcement information databases to obtain information regarding outstanding warrants, criminal history, records information, and vehicle data; relays such information to sworn staff
• Serves as a liaison to the public and representatives of other agencies for the department; provides initial non-emergency contact with the public and representatives of other agencies for the requesting of police records or related services; determines the nature of the contact; provides factual information regarding services, policies, and procedures, which requires a knowledge of legal guidelines, departmental policies and procedures, and the use of tact and discretion, or directs the caller to the proper individual or agency
• Maintains accurate departmental and law enforcement records and files; researches and compiles information from such files
• Attends necessary training, shift briefing sessions, participates in drills, and test scenarios to prepare for unexpected emergencies
• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications includes:

• Public Safety Dispatcher II - High School Diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Public Safety Dispatcher II - Two (2) years of experience performing public safety dispatch duties

HIGHLY DESIRABLE

• Experience as a police, fire, or medical dispatcher

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS Public Safety Dispatcher II:

• Possession of P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatcher certificate
• Must obtain CPR Certification within 6 months
• Must obtain EMD Certification within one year
• Ability to travel to meetings, trainings, site visits, and special events throughout the City may be required. Employee must have access to reliable transportation as needed.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation, which includes a state and federal fingerprint-based background check (Live Scan), driving records screening, and a non-safety pre-employment physical and drug screening exam.

A minimum typing ability of 40 words per minute.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Methods and techniques of eliciting critical information in emergency situations from callers who are under stressful conditions
• Methods and techniques of determining appropriate response to emergencies and dispatching needed resources
• Functions and operations provided by public safety organizations
• Operational characteristics of computer-aided communications equipment, including multiple telephone lines and radio systems
• Terminology and procedures used in public safety dispatching, such as penal codes, vehicle codes and radio codes
• City and County geography, maps, streets, landmarks, and driving directions
• Policies with respect to confidentiality and the release of sensitive information
• Principles and practices of data collection and report preparation
• Methods and techniques of pinging cell phones through service providers to identify emergency locations
• Business arithmetic
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility
• Record keeping principles and practices
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed

ABILITY TO

• Assess and prioritize emergency situations while remaining calm and using sound, independent judgment
• Dispatch using appropriate grammar and police codes
• Memorize codes, names, street locations, and other information
• Read and interpret maps and other pertinent documentation
• Interpret, apply, and explain policies, procedures, and regulations
• Attend to multiple activities simultaneously
• Obtain vital information from individuals in stressful or emergency situations
• Compile and summarize information to prepare accurate, clear, and concise calls for service
• Perform technical, detailed, and responsible work within the Emergency Services Communications Center
• Compose correspondence independently or from brief instructions
• Organize, maintain, and update office database and records systems
• Make accurate arithmetic computations
• Organize, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

PHYSICAL DEMANDS Must possess mobility to work in the Emergency Services Communications Center and use standard office and emergency services dispatch equipment, including multiple computers and a diverse range of communications devices; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, and over the telephone and radio. Performance of the work requires that positions frequently remain at a workstation for extended periods of time during their shift. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to