Public Safety Dispatcher - Entry Level

ANNOUNCING NEW STEP INCREASE: $88,484 - $107,552
Total Compensation including Holiday In-Lieu Pay and Uniform Allowance: $95,.

Are you searching for a position to become a first responder in a challenging fast-paced environment?

Public Safety Dispatchers play a crucial role in supporting police and other public safety personnel by providing essential communication services on a 24/7 basis. This demanding profession requires great communication, multitasking, and data entry skills. If you are someone who stays calm and professional under pressure, values integrity and accountability, and intends on delivering exceptional service to the City of Livermore and our community, we encourage you to apply today!

to view the job announcement.


DEFINITION

Under general supervision, receives 911 system emergency and non-emergency calls; dispatches assignments according to police and fire procedures; provides support services and maintains records; and performs other duties as assigned.


DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS


The Public Safety Dispatcher provides technical communications support and computer information processing for police and fire activities as well as animal control and public services functions. In addition to call taking and dispatching, incumbents perform varied record keeping, information retrieval, and similar work in support of public safety activities. Incumbents are expected to exercise independent judgment in the performance of their duties with minimum supervision.


SUPERVISION RECEIVED


General supervision is provided by the dispatch supervisor with direction provided by other supervisory or management staff.


SUPERVISION EXERCISED


As experience is gained, incumbents in this classification may provide direction and training to other Public Safety Dispatchers.
Call Taking and Dispatching Functions
Answers 911 emergency and misdirected non-emergency calls, and a variety of other public safety telephone lines; communicates and relates effectively to those contacted in the course of the work; obtains essential information from reporting parties about the nature of the emergency; enters information into computer terminals; enters control codes and searches files to research and provide information; assesses urgency of call and assigns code;

assesses the nature of the emergency, determines appropriate response level, determines closest available and most appropriate company, and dispatches police, fire, medical aid, rescue, and hazardous material calls via two-way radio or telephone; directly broadcasts critical police emergency calls and general information bulletins; enters, updates, and monitors information such as time assignment, en route time, arrival, clearance, and other related information for each emergency and non-emergency event;

monitors location and verifies safe status of public safety and other specified City personnel; monitors and controls radio traffic; connects special hearing-impaired telephone lines to transcription apparatus; dispatches animal services assignments, as needed; refers non-emergency calls to other resources including other City departments, governmental, and private agencies; answers questions and provides information to the public, as appropriate; answers building intercom system and grants identified personnel access through remote-controlled security doors;

calls in relief personnel to maintain public safety staffing levels; alerts other agencies and coordinates mutual response radio traffic; and initiates follow-up calls as requested.

Administrative Functions
Reviews and records case information; assigns case numbers; tallies assigned calls, balances police officer assignments, and coordinates break periods; may take brief, limited telephone reports of lost property; maintains logs and records; enters information into automated record files; reproduces computer generated bulletins; prepares letters and reports and other related forms and records; conducts radio equipment tests; may retrieve or review dispatch recordings;

may classify and sort dispatch cards, as needed; and may be assigned to assist in processing arrested persons to jail.
Demonstrated Knowledge of
:
M…