Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee​/Public Safety Communications Specialist - Fire Department

Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee

The San José Fire Department's (SJFD) core mission is to serve the community by protecting life, property, and the environment through prevention and response. SJFD is a high-volume, high-performance, all-risk Fire Department that protects approximately 200 square miles including residential, commercial, high-rise, wildland interface areas, and several high-hazard occupancies.

The SJFD is accepting applications for the position of Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee. This is the entry-level training classification for a career in public safety dispatching within the City of San José. As a Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee, you are provided with formal training, both in the classroom and in the Communications Center, to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the full range of public safety dispatching functions.

Trainees must successfully complete all formal academic and on-the-job training to be appointed to the class of Public Safety Radio Dispatcher and retain their employment. The salary range for the Public Safety Radio Dispatcher classification is $ - $. This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation.

Duties of the Public Safety Radio Dispatcher include answering emergency and non-emergency telephone calls, complying with medical and fire call taking and dispatching policies and protocols, obtaining information from callers, providing emergency instructions over the telephone, entering data into the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, dispatching fire and emergency medical personnel and equipment, providing telecommunications systems support, and performing other related work as assigned.

The Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee Training Program includes Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) protocol training. The EMD and EFD certification is a condition of employment. If an employee fails to maintain San José Fire Department protocol compliance standards, the employee is subject to discipline up to and including termination.

These positions may require working weekends, holidays and/or assignments including swing, midnight, or other nonstandard shifts. Shifts are currently an 8-hour schedule during training (five days a week). Shift schedules may change based on the needs of the Department, and may include an alternate 9-hour schedule (every other set of days off includes three days off). You must be available to work the shift schedule assigned to you by the Department.

There is a shift differential payment of $2.25/hour for swing shift and $2.50/hour for midnight shifts. Mandatory overtime will be required during critical incidents or to maintain staffing levels. Wearing a uniform is required. Incumbents receive paid training beginning on their first day attending the Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee Academy. Employee benefits are provided in accordance with the applicable union agreement.

Laterals are encouraged to apply. In addition to the salary, employees in the Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee classification shall also receive an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation pay and a (3.75%) ongoing non-pensionable Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Certification Pay.

The San José Fire Department is currently seeking to fill two (2) full-time Public Safety Communications Specialist vacancies in the Fire Communications Division. The salary range for this classification is: $91,837.20 - $. This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates' qualifications and experience. The San José Fire Department is accepting applications for the position of Public Safety Communications Specialist.

This is the journey-level classification for a career in public safety call taking within the City of San José. As a Public Safety Communications Specialist, you are provided with formal classroom-based academic and on-the-job training to develop the knowledge, skills, and…