Lateral Dispatcher

Closing Date:
Continuous

Interview Date: TBD

Second Interview Date: TBD

Desired

Start Date:

TBD

(

Note:

The Dispatcher II (Lateral Dispatcher) is distinguished from the Dispatcher I in that the former is journey level and possesses two years of dispatch experience in a law enforcement agency, and functions under limited supervision as opposed to direct supervision and training.)

• $6,000 hiring incentive to lateral Dispatchers with a valid POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate
  • $2k at time of hire
  • $2k upon successful completion of training
  • $2k upon successful completion of probation
• Credit for full time service with a POST recognized agency (for vacation accrual purposes)
• 7% Longevity Pay for employees with ten (10) years of sworn law enforcement service
• 10% Longevity Pay for employees with twenty (20) years of sworn law enforcement service

See POA MOU for more details.

The City of Santa Maria is a full‑service City with a City Council/City Manager form of government with over 700 employees, an annual budget of approximately $291.4 million and serves approximately 112,208 constituents. The City of Santa Maria is located on the beautiful central coast of California and covers over 23 square miles. The City has a harmonious balance of maintaining coastal and agricultural lands while promoting business.

Santa Maria has been recognized nationally as an All‑America City by the National Civic League and offers reasonably priced housing, community festivals, quality schools, and is in close proximity to beaches, cultural arts, a local airport, wineries, and higher education institutions.

The Santa Maria Police Department strives to protect and serve all those who live, work, and/or visit Santa Maria. This is accomplished by working in cooperation with the community, promoting safety and enforcing the law. The SMPD Communications Center operates on a 24‑hour basis and handles approximately 160,000 calls for service each year including all emergency 9‑1‑1 and non‑emergency calls for services.

Dispatchers play a vital role in the delivery of public safety for the community and ensure that appropriate resources are dispatched on a timely basis.

The ideal candidate exhibits the following qualities:

• Experienced public safety dispatcher
• Ability to multi‑task
• Integrity and Ethics
• Self‑motivated
• Excellent communication skills
• Problem solving and decision making in potentially high‑stress situations
• Good judgement under pressure
• Spanish speaking skills are highly desirable

Dispatcher II

Due upon application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Public Safety Dispatcher POST Certificate

These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization. This position:

• Transmits and receives radio, telephone, teletype messages, and other electronic communications equipment.
• Receives and processes routine and emergency calls for service.
• Determines nature and priority of call and dispatches appropriate equipment and personnel.
• Secures and records information of the transmission.
• Provides routine information and assistance to the public over the telephone.
• Operates a CLETS teletype and computer terminal (or related equipment).
• Monitors various multi-channel radio frequencies.
• Performs routine clerical and/or record keeping work.
• May act as lead supervisor in his/her absence.
• Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the department director.
• Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

Incumbents should have a solid foundation of the following core competencies identified by the organization to be essential and listed in order of importance (click the hyper link to see the full definition Individual Contributor Competencies):

• Team Player – Effective performers are team oriented, share resources, respond…