COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR (EXPERIENCED)

Public Safety Dispatcher

Employer: City of Huntington Beach

Salary: $7,154.85 - $8,869.47 Monthly

Location: Huntington Beach, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 0280-0719

Department: Police Department

Division: Administrative Operations

Opening Date: 07/02/2019

This posting is for applicants who already possess a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate AND are currently working (or have worked in the last 24 months) as a public safety dispatcher in a California law enforcement agency, having completed two (2) years of employment.

The fundamental reason for the existence of this classification is to receive and transmit information in the Police Communications Center via telephone, radio calls, written and coded information using a computer aided dispatch system (CADS).

This position is assigned to the Police Communications Center, which is a 24-hour, seven-days-per-week operation, requiring shift coverage. Incumbents must work assigned shift and must be proficient at multi-tasking. There is a high premium placed on the accuracy and speed of information gathering and maturity in decision making of employees.

Under immediate supervision, operates a computer aided dispatch system to send police units in response to emergency calls and other public service needs; determines priorities of all calls and prioritizes responses when police units are needed in a number of situations which exceed available units; evaluates situations to determine appropriate units to dispatch based on availability, priority and location of units; dispatches backup units if appraisal of situation suggests the need for such support or is requested by officers; with the aid of detailed maps may direct the police units to locations; obtains required information in discussion with emergency caller; uses Orange County radio system in dispatching units; performs complaint writer function which requires receiving telephone and radio calls and typing information including codes into the CADS to create a call for service; monitors Police Building entrances on audio and visual security systems to prevent unauthorized entrance; transfers emergency information to other agencies based on information extracted from the caller; performs other related duties as assigned.

Communication Operators receive and record calls on the Public Safety Computer system, dispatch police units to emergency and public service calls. There is a high premium placed on the accuracy and speed of information gathering and maturity in decision making of employees in the Communications Center. Cooperative work relationships are essential. The preceding duties have been provided as examples of the essential types of work performed within this job classification. City Council/Administration at its discretion, may add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.

Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical combination includes:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate (issued by the State of California, Department of Justice). A copy of the certificate must be turned in at your oral exam. Please Note: This is not the 120-hour Basic Public Safety Dispatch Course Certificate

Experience:

• Must be currently working, or have worked in the last 24 months, as a public safety dispatcher in a California law enforcement agency AND have completed two (2) years of employment, including successful completion of the probationary period.
• Must be available to work ALL assigned shifts, weekends and holidays; Pass comprehensive background investigation and psychological examination.
• Must type 40 words per minute (net). A typing certificate, as described below, must be turned in at or before the oral exam. You may submit a copy of your typing certificate to: [email protected].

Application and selection procedure:

• An official on-line application must be completed in its entirety. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• A copy of your POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate (issued by the State of California, Department of Justice) must be turned in at the oral exam. Certificates of Completion issued by a Dispatcher Academy is unacceptable.
• A typing certificate must be turned in at or before the oral exam. Specific instructions regarding acceptable certificates are listed below.
• All applications will be closely reviewed for relevant experience, education, and training. Not all candidates meeting the minimum requirements will necessarily be invited to the next phase which includes an oral exam (weighted 100%).
• Candidates successfully completing the oral exam will be placed on an employment eligible list from which hires may be made. The employment eligible list is valid for up to one year, unless exhausted sooner.
• Candidates considered for hire must undergo a comprehensive background investigation, which includes (but is not limited to) LiveScan fingerprinting, polygraph exam, credit check, reference/employer checks, DOJ and FBI checks, etc.
• Upon a conditional offer of employment, a pre-placement psychological evaluation, medical evaluation and drug screening must be completed with acceptable results.
• Upon hire, employee is subject to further reporting from DOJ via subsequent arrest notification.

Note: Our primary means of communication with applicants is via email; therefore, please include a valid email address on your application. TYPING CERTIFICATIONS: 1. Candidates must provide proof of required typing skill of 40 wpm net (gross minus number of errors). We will accept typing certificates issued within the last 12 months, from an employment or other public agency. 2. Certificates must be on official letterhead from the agency and must include a phone number and name of contact person in order to verify information. 3. Typing tests may also be taken at the locations listed below. Please call for appointments and costs.

HUNTEINGTON BEACH ADULT SCHOOL 17231 Gothard Street Huntington Beach, CA 92647 714-842-4227

FOCUS EMPLOYMENT INC. 2400 E. Katella Ave. Ste. 800 Anaheim, CA 92806 (714) 848-6129

4. Alternatively, candidates may request to take a typing test on site on the day of their oral exam. Appointments shall be made in advance by sending an email request to: [email protected].

The City of Huntington Beach offers a comprehensive benefit package to Police Officers' Association/Non-Sworn (Miscellaneous) members including: The SALARY RANGE is composed of five steps. Merit step increases are based on satisfactory performance. BILINGUAL PAY, 5% for qualified employees. PROMOTIONS within the City are based upon the merit system principles emphasizing individual ability and utilizing competitive examinations. HOLIDAY PAY IN-LIEU: 120 hours per year. GENERAL LEAVE with pay is granted in the amount of 176 hours per year for the first four years of continuous service, up to 256 hours per year after fourteen years of continuous service. TUITION REIMBURSEMENT is available for eligible employees to develop their knowledge and abilities. GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMS are available to eligible City employees. These programs include medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurances. FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS are available where employees use pre-tax salary to pay for regular child care, adult dependent care and/or medical expenses. RETIREMENT BENEFITS are provided by the California Public Employee's Retirement System. Every regular employee becomes a member immediately upon employment. A portion of the employee contribution is paid by the City for a 3.0% @ 50 (safety) and 2.5% @ 55 (miscellaneous) benefit plan. Effective January 1, 2013, the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act will apply to new members of CalPERS. A new member is defined as any of the following:

• A new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after 1/1/13, and who has no prior membership in a California public retirement system.
• A new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after 1/1/13, and who is not eligible for reciprocity with another California public retirement system.
• A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to 01/01/13, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

The benefit formula, final compensation period, maximum pensionable compensation, and member contribution rate for new miscellaneous members under PEPRA is represented in the table below. Benefit Formula: Miscellaneous: 2% at age 62 Final Compensation