Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee

About the role

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• Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee
• 2 vacancies
• RECRUITMENT #19-K24-001
• Police Department

Salary

$52,256.05-$63,518.21/year

Introduction

Are you interested in a civilian law enforcement career dedicated to keeping Ventura safe and livable? Are you an excellent multi-tasker who can make quick, logical decisions in a fast-paced environment? The City of Ventura is accepting applications for two entry-level Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee opportunities in our progressive Police Department.

The Position

Under general supervision, receives, screens and responds to incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for police assistance. Dispatches appropriate units, and maintains necessary communication with units, during their response to calls. Performs a variety of clerical, record-keeping and general support duties related to communications activities.

The Ideal Candidate

• Responds diplomatically and tactfully to people of diverse backgrounds, often in adverse situations, when they may be confused, upset, angry, drunk, irate, or irrational.
• Willing to work rotating shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Remains calm and continue working when violent or highly emotional situations are taking place.
• Handles multiple tasks at one time, making quick, logical decisions in high-pressure situations.
• Has excellent keyboarding, spelling, and data entry skills.
• Has prior experience dispatching people and/or vehicles using a radio.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following

• Uses a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) terminal and regular telephone lines to receive emergency calls from the public requesting police services. Determines the nature and location of the emergency, its priority, and dispatches police units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures. Exercises considerable judgment in dispatching deployed units, emergency resources, and equipment. Maintains contacts with all units on assignment. Maintains the status and location of field units.
• Monitors emergency alarm panels and city alarms. Monitors city and other camera surveillance systems. Answers non-emergency calls for assistance. Dispatches public works emergency and other "after hours" service requests.
• Coordinates emergency calls and relays information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement and firefighting agencies. Provides field personnel with information relating to subjects, vehicles, and property so that they can determine appropriate action to be taken.
• Trains new employees in dispatching procedures, techniques, and methods, as well as relevant department policies and regulations.
• Enters, updates, and retrieves information from computerized data base networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, and other information. Assists in the maintenance of communication equipment as required.

Performs other related work as required.

License/certificates

• License: Depending on assignment, possession of a valid California Class C driver's license may be required.
• Certificate: Typing speed of 35 words per minute is desirable.

Working Conditions

Environment: works in indoor office conditions with noise of police radio; works irregular hours, including rotating shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays; and works under pressure and in potentially stressful conditions.

Physical Abilities: hearing and speaking sufficient to exchange information on the telephone and police radio; close vision and the ability to adjust focus to read and operate office equipment including computer aided dispatch (CAD) system; sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time; use of hands to handle, feel or operate office equipment including CAD system; and mental capability to interpret people and situations, perform multiple concurrent tasks, and to work in highly emotional or emergency situations.

Hazards: exposed to computer screens, radios and electrical energy.

Minimum Qualifications

Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee: A combination of education, training and experience equivalent to completion of high school, keyboarding sufficient to perform the duties of the job, and one year of experience involving public contact, computer usage, or heavy telephone traffic are required. Experience in a dispatching role is preferable.

Public Safety Dispatcher: In addition to the requirements above, one year of experience equivalent to that of a Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee with the City of Ventura OR one year 911 Dispatcher Operator experience is required.

Additional Information: BENEFITS

Selection Plan

• Submit a City application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline.
• Paper applications can be FAXed to, or mailed or hand delivered to City Hall at: 501 Poli Street, Room 210; Ventura, California 93002.
• If you FAX, it is highly recommended that you also send the original documents.

Once your application has been submitted, all future correspondence from the City will be via e-mail. Please be sure your contact information is up to date.

Written Examination

• Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be invited to the written examination.
• All applicants must pass the written examination to be named to the eligibility list.
• The written exam sessions will be held on:

• When: Friday, September 6 and Tuesday, September 10, 2019
• Where: City Hall Community Meeting Room; 501 Poli Street; Room 202; Ventura, 93002
• You will receive email notification by August 20, 2019 regarding your application status and exam date. If you are invited to the written exam, you must self-schedule online by 5:00 p.m. on August 30, 2019.

Personal History Statement Completion

All applicants who pass the written examination will be certified to the eligibility list and are required to print and complete in their own handwriting the POST Personal History Statement and return to the Police Department by 5:00 p.m. on September 30, 2019.

Department Selection Interviews

• Applicants passing the written examination will have their names certified to the eligibility list and forwarded to the Police Department for further consideration.
• A limited number of candidates will be invited to participate in department selection interviews held in October 2019, date to be determined.
• Additional interviews may be scheduled at later date should additional vacancies occur.