Police Dispatcher

The dispatcher position is an Individual Contributor role that provides customer service to community members and clerical support to the Lompoc Police Department. Their role enables the Lompoc Police Department to achieve its main goal of keeping the community safe by providing high-quality services offered by the Lompoc Police Department.

The dispatcher position is a Police Dispatcher, under general supervision, performing the function of dispatching on assigned, varied shifts. Incumbents work under strict procedural direction in performing radio-dispatching duties for police, fire and other municipal services; receive and relay by telephone and radio; perform routine clerical work; may be required to assist with booking and maintaining custody of prisoners, which may require searching arrestees and otherwise seeing to the physical well-being of the arrested person, and perform other related work as required.

Minimum of 35 net words per minute. MUST BE SUBMITTED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION. CERTIFICATE MUST BE DATED WITHIN THE LAST 24 MONTHS.

ONLINE TYPING CERTIFICATES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

(Must include name and date of typing certification)

Based upon screening of the City application, certification, résumé, and responses to supplemental questions. Applicants must provide a typing certificate with a minimum of 35 net words per minute at the time of application submission. Certificate must be dated within a 24-month period prior to the testing date. Applicants whose qualifications best meet the requirements of the position will be invited to the examination process.

This process may include, but is not limited to: written examination, performance examination and/or panel interview, which consists of an evaluation of some of the essential knowledge, skills, abilities, and job related experience listed below. Those candidates who pass the examination process are placed on an eligibility list from which the final selection will be made.

As authorized by City policies, applicants being considered for hire in this position are subject to satisfactory completion of reference checks and fingerprinting for purposes of investigating criminal history background, as part of the employment screening process. Appointment is subject to successful completion of background investigation, polygraph, psychological exam, and City-paid medical exam (based upon job-related physical standards) by a City-designated physician.

Failure in any one part of the examination or selection process will disqualify a candidate from further consideration.

• Receives incoming telephone and radio requests for emergency service;
• Takes critical information by the telephone and radio from the public and from field personnel, including names, addresses, telephone numbers, complaints and location of crimes, accidents and service requests;
• Screens telephone calls for urgency;
  Enters into computer calls received from the public and from field personnel
• Responds to routine telephone requests from the public for information;
• Ranks all requests for service received by telephone, radio or over the counter;
  Ranks radio dispatches in priority order;
  Maintains constant awareness of locations of field personnel
• Dispatches calls for service to patrol and fire personnel and other emergency services, if necessary, follow-up units;
  Secures information and relays to field personnel as requested;
• Coordinates the activities of police personnel and equipment during both routine and emergency situations; dispatches calls for other public agencies in situations of emergency;
• When required, requests emergency assistance from other agencies or services, such as ambulances, utilities, coroner's office and towing companies; conducts record and warrant checks through use of automated services and by telephone to other public agencies;
• Monitors alarm systems; notifies responsible parties when alarms are set off; issues case numbers;
• Secures voids or transmits a variety of information utilizing teletype system; inputs information into computer terminal;
• Throughout current shift, briefs self by reading activity log of previous shift; at end of current shift, briefs oncoming dispatcher of that shift's activity
• Maintains and periodically updates handbooks
• Orders office supplies
• Assists in training personnel in dispatching procedures, as requested
• Operates a radio, recorders, computer terminal console, alarm systems, and California law enforcement communications equipment;
• May assist in booking and take custody of prisoners, accepting custody of storing, arrestee property, escorting prisoners to cell, seeing to the physical well-being of arrestees; and performs related work as required.

Takes telephone messages for department personnel; issues case numbers; contacts owners of abandoned vehicles; and orders office supplies.

If you are unable to perform the essential functions of the…