Communications Dispatcher Lateral

The City of Santa Rosa is committed to building a workforce reflective of our community and establishing a lasting culture of equity and belonging within our organization. Our collective talents and expertise contribute to high-quality public services that support a vibrant, resilient, inclusive City for our community and visitors. We celebrate a diverse workforce and welcome all qualified candidates to apply.

• Perform a variety of disparate duties simultaneously and accurately
• Receive, triage, and process emergency and routine calls from the public requesting police or other emergency service, applying the techniques, procedures, policies, and methods used in the operation of a moderately sized public safety dispatching agency
• Interrogate callers to determine pertinent information, maintaining composure and working quickly under pressure
• Accurately track the status and location of police units
• Use a Computer Aided Dispatch system to enter pertinent response information and unit status data
• Retrieve and verbally relay information from various databases
• Monitor several different police radio frequencies and operate a variety of communications equipment and technology
• Communicate tactfully with the public and department employees under stressful situations.

• Arrange for tow trucks and public works emergency service or contact appropriate agencies
• Operate and maintain the audio recording device and produce copies
• Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, and other general clerical work, specifically related to the communications center function and complex computerized systems
• Monitor surveillance cameras; arrange for unplanned staffing needs
• Monitor and respond appropriate personnel to internal panic alarms
• Manually activate exterior doors from the communications center
• Test and inspect equipment as required
• Provide general instruction to new employees; travel by vehicle to mandated training.

Part I:  Application
All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and a list will be established consisting of all applicants who meet the minimum work experience and education qualifications as stated above.

Part II:  Oral Appraisal Interview
Applicants referred for consideration will participate in an oral appraisal interview to evaluate training, experience and other job-related qualifications for the position. 

Part III:  Background Investigation
The background investigation is extensive, and will include a police records check, D.M.V. records review, P.O.S.T. Personal History Statement, S.R.P.D. Background Issues Questionnaire, employer reference checks, and Chief's interview and evaluation.
P.O.S.T. Personal History Statement Form 2-251

All applicants successful in the background investigation screening and the Chief's interview will be required to take and pass a City-sponsored medical examination, including a psychological evaluation, following a conditional offer of employment and prior to appointment.  

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter.   

All notices will be sent via e-mail.

Working Conditions

This job is in an emergency communications center at the Police Department. The center is staffed by dispatchers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Incumbents in this classification are required to work various shifts as assigned. Shifts will include nights, weekends, holidays and rotating shifts. Due to the unpredictable nature of 24 hour a day/7 day a week emergency work, it is essential that incumbents assigned to this classification be able to work more than 10 hours in a day and more than 40 hours in a week with little or no notice, in order to maintain operational staffing requirements. Incumbents operate a visual display terminal for extended periods of time, sometimes without the ability to move at will. While the workstations are adjustable to accommodate standing, most incumbents perform the job duties while seated, often for long periods without breaks, and while standing there would be little opportunity for movement at will. Every job function requires real time keyboard entry of data, requiring continuous, repetitive arm and hand movement. Incumbents may also be required to move less than 20 pounds short distances when moving files, property, and supplies. Every job function requires the use of a variety of computers and communications equipment, which requires coordinating movement of more than one limb simultaneously and making fine, highly controlled muscular movements; the ability to hear and understand telephone conversations and radio traffic, and hear alarms and other auditory warning devices; and the ability to read and understand printed material and data displayed on multiple video display monitors.