COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR (DISPATCHER)

The Police Department is recruiting for the position of Communications Operator. We are establishing an eligible list for future vacancies. 

The ideal candidate will be capable of assertively taking command of situations in a sensitive yet straightforward manner, while showing consideration and respect to others, and will have the ability to deal with stressful and pressured situations in an efficient and controlled manner. Candidates must demonstrate good decision making skills under pressure, work with minimum direct supervision, and be a team player with a positive attitude. Additionally, candidates should have the ability to work all shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.

TITLE: Communications Operator
SALARY: Depending on qualifications
DEPARTMENT: Police

BASIC FUNCTION: Under general supervision, receives and transmits routine and emergency telephone and radio traffic; dispatches and coordinates police, fire, animal control and other municipal equipment; maintains and processes a variety of communications paperwork, records, and logs. Performs related responsibilities as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the journey level of the Communications Operator series. Positions in this class may be filled by advancement from the lower grade of Assistant Communications Operator, or when filled from the outside, require prior dispatching experience. Positions in this class may be distinguished from the class of Assistant Communications Operator by the frequent use of independent judgment in making decisions in accordance with established rules and procedures and the responsibility of training personnel. While a variety of tasks may be assigned, each step usually follows a pattern which has been established and explained before work is started.

Incumbents in this classification are expected to work shifts which include nights, weekends, and holidays.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receives, interprets, classifies, prioritizes and responds to calls of a routine and emergency nature, including those calls involving life threatening situation, expeditiously and accurately.
• Assigns calls to police, fire, or animal control units for necessary action, including determining necessary units required for response; coordinates with patrol supervisors regarding deployment of personnel.
• Visually monitors status display terminals while simultaneously monitoring radio frequencies aurally.
• Ensures correct status of pending and dispatched calls, location of units, and makes "on-line" changes as appropriate.
• Dispatches medical emergencies and provides pre-arrival instructions.
• Provides information to units in areas such as warrants, vehicles, driver's licenses, and criminal history.
• Enters relevant information and retrieves information on multiple computerized systems, including a computer-aided dispatch system.
• Operates a multiple computer system utilizing various programs simultaneously.
• Monitors security entrances to public buildings and closed circuit TV to holding cells.
• Trains new employees in the dispatch function and evaluates and reports progress of trainees to supervisor.
• Testifies in court as required.
• Performs matron duties as needed.
• Performs related duties as required.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

This position reports to Communications Supervisor, Lead Communications Operator or Senior Communications Operator, and does not supervise.DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge/Skills/Ability:

• Public safety radio codes, Penal and Vehicle codes, and terminology.
• Receiving, evaluating, prioritizing and relaying emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance.
• Policies, procedures, and operations of the communications center, police department, fire department and S.P.C.A.
• CAD (computer-aided dispatch system) operations.
• Modern office methods and procedures.
• CLETS and records paperwork.
• Exercise tact, courtesy, and patience in all contacts with public and co-workers.
• Evaluating situations quickly and take actions according to procedures.
• Communicate effectively in writing; report preparation; record information quickly and accurately with legible handwriting.
• Communicating verbally over the phone and radio with an understandable and clear voice quality.
• Understanding of the general geography of the City of Visalia; quickly interpreting computerized and physical maps, including identifying major landmarks and streets.
• Work effectively and calmly in stressful and pressured emergency situations, while prioritizing workload and adopting effective courses of action.
• Alternate attention among a variety of tasks simultaneously, while retaining information gathered and exercising sound judgment in situations with a high consequence of error.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Obtain relevant information in emergency situations to make critical decisions quickly and effectively.
• Deal effectively with the public in hostile, hysterical, and other emotional states over the phone.
• Enter information received over phone or radio and accurately in an abbreviated form in a computer.
• Operate a keyboard accurately at 40 corrected words per minute.
• Follow oral and written directions quickly and accurately.
• Follow safe work practices, including workplace safety policies and procedures.
• Prioritize workload.
• Develop and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with co-workers and the public; work effectively in a confined area with other employees.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge, skill and ability is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skill and abilities would be:

• Possession of high school diploma or GED.
• One year of 911 emergency dispatching experience with a law enforcement agency, within the last three years.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a California P.O.S.T. Dispatcher Basic Certificate
• Keyboarding speed of 40 CWPM (correct words per minute) TYPING CERTIFICATE DATED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE FILING DEADLINE AND DISPATCHER BASIC CERTIFICATE MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.PHYSICAL STANDARDS:

Positions in this class are typically situated in a standard office environment resulting in little exposure to the weather and requiring no unusual physical abilities.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Application and supplemental materials will be evaluated and applicants who appear to be qualified will be invited to participate in a job related interview process. Prior to appointment, candidates must pass a thorough Background Investigation, polygraph test, psychological examination and post-offer medical exam.

The City of Visalia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.