Public Safety Dispatcher - Entry

Public Safety Dispatcher
- Entry

The City of Chico and Chico PD provides long-term career opportunities and the ability for greater growth within the Division! Successful Public Safety Dispatcher
- Entry employees may later qualify to promote through the career ladder to Dispatcher
- Intermediate, Dispatcher
- Advanced, and even Communications Supervisor! Positions at Chico PD Dispatch are more than "just a job," they're a career! This recruitment is to fill 7 positions in Dispatch. The training process includes testing:
Candidates for this position are required to take the Criti Call exam. For more information and a test preparation guide, please visit: .

Salary placement upon hire:
Employees may expect to be placed on the salary range between steps A - C; however, additional steps may be considered based on prior education and experience. Dispatchers are represented by the Chico Public Safety Association (CPSA) labor group. Under supervision, to receive training and to operate a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in the capacity of a first responder;

to perform assigned clerical work relating to public safety records and operations; and to perform related work as required.

This is the trainee-level classification in the Dispatcher series. Trainees work in the communications center and receive on-the-job training, specific day-to-day direction and are closely supervised. Incumbents at this level are not expected to function with the same amount of knowledge or skills as positions allocated to Public Safety Dispatcher Intermediate and Advanced. Although work is performed within established policies and procedures, it requires the exercise of sound judgment in emergency situations.

Examples of Typical Job Functions (Illustrative Only)

• Receive and prioritize incoming emergency calls from the public requesting police, fire or other emergency assistance;
• Maintain citizen confidentiality, as required;
• Determine nature and location of emergency, determine priorities, and dispatch via computer-aided dispatch system police, fire, medical, or other emergency services as necessary and in accordance with established procedures;
• Maintain contact with all units on assignment;
• Maintain status and location of police and fire units;
• Communicate with persons in crisis, including persons in altered states such as intoxication or under the influence of drugs;
• Answer non-emergency calls for assistance;
• Call out City maintenance workers for maintenance emergencies;
• Enter, update, and retrieve information from a variety of computer systems;
• Receive requests for information from computer systems and provide pertinent data;
• Monitor several complex public safety radio frequencies;
• Operate a variety of communications equipment including computerized radio consoles, telephones, and computer equipment;
• Process a wide variety of public safety records, files, logs, reports, and forms;*
• Operate office equipment;
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Geographic features and streets of the City of Chico;
• Correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Ability to:

• Type a minimum of 45 words per minute;
• Learn to operate standard telephone and computerized radio communications equipment and computer-aided dispatch system;
• Learn and use standard broadcasting procedures and rules;
• Learn and correctly use public safety classification codes and basic provisions of the California Vehicle and Penal Codes;
• Speak clearly and precisely;
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations;
• Effectively communicate with and elicit information from citizens faced with emergency situations;
• Exercise independent judgment and work with minimal supervision;
• Comprehend and make inferences from written materials;
• Handle simultaneous events effectively;
• Handle confidential matters with a high degree of discretion;
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
• Work cooperatively with others.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

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