Dispatcher- Entry Level

Fountain Valley, CA, United States

Salary : $74,235.00 - $90,233.10 Annually

Location : Fountain Valley, CA

Job Type: Non-exempt FLSA

Job Number: 2023-34

Department: Police

Opening Date: 06/10/2024

Description

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T HE CITY OF FOUNTAIN VALLEY The City of Fountain Valley is nestled in the heart of Orange County. With approximately 60,000 residents, we are a mid-sized full service Police Department that proudly serves our wonderful community with courage, duty, and commitment. With City events like our Summerfest and National Night Out, we actively participate alongside community members to build a safe and vibrant City. The City of Fountain Valley is only 7 miles from the beach with countless restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping center, and Disneyland within 15 miles radius of the City providing many options for a rich work-life balance.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Fountain Valley Police Department's mission is to demonstrate the courage to protect life and property in our community. The duty to provide the highest quality of service in a fair, impartial and ethical manner and the commitment to take a leadership role in providing public safety and quality of life in a manner that will preserve the public trust.

The Police Department is comprised of dedicated professionals including the Chief of Police, 2 Captains, 3 Lieutenants, 1 Support Services Manager, 10 Sergeants, 9 Corporals, 39 Police Officers, 9 full-time Dispatchers and 1 part-time Dispatchers, Crime Analyst, Identification Technician, Record Clerks, Community Services Officers and administrative staff.

CLASS DEFINITION

To perform skilled work in receiving and transmitting police radio and telephone calls, dispatch appropriate personnel and equipment, maintain detailed records of activities in response to each request, and other duties as assigned

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This classification requires successful completion of the Public Safety Dispatchers Basic Course within the probationary period. Although work is performed within established policies and procedures, it requires the exercise of sound judgment in emergency situations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

The incumbent works under the general supervision of the Lead Dispatcher or Watch Commander.

Job Overview

Receive and process emergency calls for police and fire protection services or information; promptly and efficiently dispatch personnel and equipment to accident, rescue, and emergency scenes

Analyze requests for police service; determine priority ranking of each request and the kind and level of service to be dispatched in initial response; and determine available units to dispatch

Listen to each radio transmission from police personnel in the field; acknowledge and comply with request for action or information

Maintain awareness of position of each police unit and activities in which personnel are engaged; check periodically with personnel to verify position and activity; supply back-up personnel; and take other appropriate steps to provide for the safety of field personnel

Maintain detailed records of each service request, each action taken, and the time each action was taken

Operate dispatch equipment and computer equipment

Input and retrieve a variety of public safety information using a computer; enter, update, and retrieve information regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, and other information

Notify ambulance personnel, alarm company, traffic and signal maintenance, and other related personnel concerning emergencies

Maintain knowledge of the geography, street locations, and landmarks in the City and a general knowledge of the geography and landmarks of surrounding cities

OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES: Assist in training new personnel in the operations of the Dispatch Center

Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, and other general clerical duties

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualification Guidelines

EDUCATION: Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.

EXPERIENCE: One year of clerical or other related experience involving contact with the public and some use of independent judgment. Public Safety experience is highly desirable.

Or One year of heavy telephone, public contact, or dispatch experience.

KNOWLEDGE OF: The proper operation of telephone, voice radio, and burglar alarm reception equipment

The proper operation of computer, speed dialer, dictaphone/tape recorder, and teletype machines

The geography of the City and location of streets and important buildings.

State mandated data bases including driver's license, vehicle registration, warrants, and restraining orders

Correct English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar

REQUISITE ABILITIES: Analyze situations and adopt quick, effective courses of action in emergency situations, in accordance with established rules and regulations

Speak clearly, in a well-modulated voice, and use proper diction

Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens

Follow oral and written instructions and carry out assignments with minimal supervision

Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, City officials, and the public

Maintain the security of criminal offender and other confidential information

Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Ability to work evenings, holidays, weekends, irregular hours, and variable shifts

Ability to work closely with others and in confined spaces, around electrical energy

Normal vision and hearing acuity

PHYSICAL TASKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Work is primarily performed in an office environment requiring prolonged sitting; walking, kneeling, crouching, squatting, stooping, bending, leaning, and twisting; operate a computer terminal, telephone and dispatch equipment; exposure to computer glare, vibrations, and pitch; ability to lift, carry, and move objects totaling approximately 15 pounds in weight; and have mobility, vision, hearing, and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.

NOTE:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT DESIGNATION:

Non-Exempt

Recruitment Information

PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY AS THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME UPON RECEIVING ENOUGH QUALIFIED APPLICANTS AND WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE.

ALL REQUIRED CERTIFCATIONS/LICENSES MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION AND ECOMM EXAM COMPLETED IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FURTHER FOR THIS RECRUITMENT. CANDIDATES THAT HAVE APPLIED WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS TO THE PREVIOUS DISPATCHER RECRUITMENT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS RECRUITMENT.

SELECTION PROCESS:

WRITTEN EXAM: Interested candidates who meet the position qualifications must have completed the ECOMM (Emergency Communications) written exam through the National Testing Network (NTN) within the last 12 months along with submitting an online application to be considered further for this recruitment. Candidates are required to pay a fee to NTN to take the ECOMM written exam. You may visit the NTN website at for more information regarding test dates/sites. NTN scores are considered valid with the City of Fountain Valley if obtained within 12 months of application date. Candidates who have completed their P.O.S.T. Dispatcher exam within the last year (12 months) must attach scores along with their application in order to waive the NTN ECOMM exam. Candidates must have a minimum T-score of 45.

ORAL INTER VIEW: Will evaluate the candidate's experience, training, and personal qualifications that are essential for successful performance on the job.

IMPORTANT RECRUITMENT INFORMATION : All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully completing all components of the pre-employment process which may include but is not limited to: reference checks, background investigation, credit check, California Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprinting), polygraph, psychological evaluation, post-offer drug test and post-offer medical examination.

The City of Fountain Valley is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Candidates with a disability who may need accommodation during the selection process must notify the Human Resources Department at least 72 hours in advance of the exam date.

Note: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied

Please for a list of MOU's and City benefits.

01

Please indicate your highest level of education. High School Diploma/GED

Associate's Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Doctorate Degree

Not Applicable

02

This position requires that an incumbent be available to perform shift work (days, nights, graveyard), including working on holidays and weekends. Are you willing and able to work this of schedule? Yes

No

03

Please list any current (within the past 3 years) college/university level coursework or training related to the field of law enforcement or police dispatching which you have completed. Include name of college/university and course name(s). If you have attained an AA/AS, BA/BS, or MA/MS in a related field, list degree and field of study only.

04

List the type(s) of computer aided dispatch (CAD) and/or records management systems (RMS) you have worked on. Include name of system, dates and level of user each system (dispatcher, records clerk, system administrator, trainer, etc).

05

Do you possess at least one year of heavy telephone, public contact or dispatch experience? Yes

No

N/A

06

Have you taken the P.O.S.T Dispatcher Exam with another agency within twelve (12) months of your application date? Yes

No

N/A

07

If you have not taken the P.O.S.T. Dispatcher Exam, you are required to complete an ECOMM written exam with the National Testing Network in order for your application to be considered further for this recruitment. Did you complete the ECOMM written exam? Yes

No

N/A

Required Question