Police Dispatcher; Lateral

Position: Police Dispatcher (Lateral)
Position Summary:
This position is for current (lateral) dispatchers who work in a public safety communications center.

A public safety communications center refers to any local, state or federal agency involved in the prevention of and protection from events that could endanger the safety of the general public.

Dispatchers receive, evaluate, and transmit emergency and routine voice radio messages via telephone, and teletype and automatic alarm; to dispatch required equipment and personnel in accordance with standard policies and procedures; to maintain records; and to do related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
This is a full journey level class within the Police Dispatcher series and has the ability to perform a full range of duties assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance as unique situations arise. This class is distinguished from the Police Dispatcher Trainee in that the latter is an entry-level position that works under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Newly-hired employees in this position may receive up to $5,000 relocation allowance for expenses incurred for the relocation of the employee and their immediate family to San Diego County. Additionally, this position is eligible for the Employee Referral Program. Eligible employees that make a successful referral will receive either 16 hours of leave or a referral payment of up to $3,000.

Essential Functions:
Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: receive service requests by telephone on 911 emergency and business lines; obtain information on the nature of the request/emergency, the location, and telephone number of caller, name of caller and other pertinent information; remaining on the line with victim in emergency, as appropriate and creating a record of the information; analyze requests for police service, determine priority ranking of each request and the kind and level of service to be dispatched in initial response;

determine available units to dispatch; dispatch personnel and equipment according to standard operational procedures, instructions from a superior or by individual judgment as required; refers difficult or extremely serious calls to supervisor; listen to each radio transmission from police personnel in the field, acknowledges and complies with request for action or information; keep superiors informed of emergency situations and general activities;

place telephone calls to other police jurisdictions, City departments, City emergency crews, vehicle tow companies, ambulance services, coroner, relatives of victims, telephone and utility companies, alarm company, traffic signal maintenance and other services concerning an emergency; maintain detailed records of the time and nature of each call; operate computer aided dispatch system equipment, TDD and other office equipment; operate teletype and computer terminal to check for registered owners of vehicles and other information;

refer to maps and reference materials to secure information needed by personnel in the field and for the dispatch function; take reports and relays messages by radio or telephone; maintains a log of radio calls received and transmitted; type, issue case numbers, log departmental activities and perform routine clerical work; assist in monitoring activity in jail cells via a closed circuit TV system;

maintain law enforcement resources status and activity file in the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) computer; may instruct other personnel in the techniques and use of communications equipment; may perform minor or routine upkeep and maintenance of equipment; and perform other duties related to this position.

Any combination of education and/or experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Two years of responsible clerical, administrative, public information or emergency service including radio-telephone communications work (work experience in public safety field is highly desirable) or successful completion as a Police Dispatcher Trainee with the City of Chula Vista and training…