Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee

Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee

2 vacancies
RECRUITMENT #19-K24-001
Police Department
Salary: $52,256.05-$63,518.21/year

Are you interested in a civilian law enforcement career dedicated to keeping Ventura safe and livable? Are you an excellent multi-tasker who can make quick, logical decisions in a fast-paced environment? The City of Ventura is accepting applications for two entry-level Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee opportunities in our progressive Police Department. To be considered for this rewarding career opportunity, apply online at  by the 8/18/2019 filing deadline!

To learn more about the Ventura Police Department, visit

Under general supervision, receives, screens and responds to incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for police assistance. Dispatches appropriate units, and maintains necessary communication with units, during their response to calls. Performs a variety of clerical, record-keeping and general support duties related to communications activities.

• Responds diplomatically and tactfully to people of diverse backgrounds, often in adverse situations, when they may be confused, upset, angry, drunk, irate, or irrational.
• Willing to work rotating shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Remains calm and continue working when violent or highly emotional situations are taking place.
• Handles multiple tasks at one time, making quick, logical decisions in high-pressure situations.
• Has excellent keyboarding, spelling, and dataentry skills.
• Has prior experience dispatching people and/or vehicles using a radio.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Uses a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) terminal and regular telephone lines to receive emergency calls from the public requesting police services. Determines the nature and location of the emergency, its priority, and dispatches police units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures. Exercises considerable judgment in dispatching deployed units, emergency resources, and equipment. Maintains contacts with all units on assignment.
  
  Maintains the status and location of field units.
• Monitors emergency alarm panels and city alarms. Monitors city and other camera surveillance systems. Answers non-emergency calls for assistance. Dispatches public works emergency and other "after hours" service requests.
• Coordinates emergency calls and relays information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement and firefighting agencies. Provides field personnel with information relating to subjects, vehicles, and property so that they can determine appropriate action to be taken.
• Trains new employees in dispatching procedures, techniques, and methods, as well as relevant department policies and regulations.
• Enters, updates, and retrieves information from computerized data base networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, and other information. Assists in the maintenance of communication equipment as required.

Performs other related work as required.

License: Depending on assignment, possession of a valid California Class C driver's license may be required.

Certificate: Typing speed of 35 words per minute is desirable.

Environment: works in indoor office conditions with noise of police radio; works irregular hours, including rotating shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays; and works under pressure and in potentially stressful conditions.
Physical Abilities: hearing and speaking sufficient to exchange information on the telephone and police radio; close vision and the ability to adjust focus to read and operate office equipment including computer aided dispatch (CAD) system; sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time; use of hands to handle, feel or operate office equipment including CAD system; and mental capability to interpret people and situations, perform multiple concurrent tasks, and to work in highly emotional or emergency situations.

Hazards: exposed to computer screens, radios and electrical energy.

Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee: A combination of education, training and experience equivalent to completion of high school, keyboarding sufficient to perform the duties of the job,and one year of experience involving public contact, computer usage, or heavy telephone trafficare required. Experience in a dispatching role is preferable.

Public Safety Dispatcher: In addition to the requirements above, oneyear of experience equivalent to that of a Public Safety Dispatcher Traineewith the City of VenturaOR one year 911 Dispatcher Operator experience is required.