Communications Operator

Position: Communications Operator I

Description

PLEASE READ THIS BULLETIN IN ITS ENTIRETY

THE POSITION

This recruitment is being conducted to fill reoccurring full-time vacancies. The List established by this recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, limited term, and temporary vacancies for up to one year. Periodic testing for this position will take place as described below in the supplemental information section.

The incumbent in this position will perform a variety of complex duties in direct support of public safety personnel including receipt, interpretation, and dispatching of calls for law enforcement, fire, ambulance and other emergency assistance; direct fire and medical emergencies to the proper agency for response; accurately utilize a computer-aided dispatch system to initiate a response to effectively handle emergencies; utilize a two-way radio system to communicate with field units;

accurately maintain the status of all field units; and provide information and assistance to the public.

THE CITY OF VALLEJO

The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 121,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148-year history and maritime heritage.

Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo's delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer's market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America's only combination wildlife, oceanarium and theme parks.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Communications Operator I - This is the entry/trainee level class in the Communications Operator series. This class is distinguished from the Communications Operator II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series in the Communications Section. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.

Incumbents are expected to promote to the Communications Operator II level after satisfactory completion of an eighteen month probationary period and when experience and education requirements for the Communications Operator II level are met.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate supervision from a Communications Supervisor and receives functional supervision from Patrol Supervisors, to include the On-Duty Watch Commander. EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

When Functioning in the Communications Center:

• Receives, interprets, classifies, prioritizes and responds to calls of a routine and emergency nature, including those calls involving life-threatening situations. Enters relevant information by computer keyboard and accurately transits messages for dispatching as necessary and in accordance with established procedures operating a computer aided dispatch system.
• Assigns calls to police units for necessary action, determining the appropriate units required for response. Coordinates when necessary with patrol supervisors regarding deployment of personnel. Visually monitors video display terminals and actively listens to police radio frequencies to ensure correct status of officers and emergency personnel. Maintains contact with all units on assignment; maintains daily log of all field calls and units dispatched.
• Dispatches law enforcement or other emergency personnel and equipment. Operates a variety of communications equipment, including computer-aided dispatch terminals, radio transmitters and receivers, dispatch consoles, electronic data terminals, telephone and lease line teletype. Monitors multiple computer screens simultaneously. Enters, updates and…