Public Safety Dispatcher - Continuous

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

1. Answers multiple telephone lines, including 9-1-1, emergency, and business lines, and monitors Port of San Diego and marine radio frequencies to receive reports of emergency calls for service involving public peace and safety, including crimes in progress, medical emergencies, and fire incidents; receives reports of non-emergency calls for service including disturbances, traffic complaints, and crimes that have already occurred; receives and responds to requests for information.

2. Elicits information from callers to ensure a proper response; documents complaints; determines appropriate jurisdiction; decides and takes proper action to resolve complaints; determines dispatch priorities.

3. Dispatches routine and emergency calls for service via radio to field personnel, including patrol officers, traffic officers, medics, and airport operations; maintains constant awareness of the location and activity of field personnel to ensure officer safety; monitors several police radio frequencies to maintain awareness of emergency situations occurring in and around District jurisdiction.

4. Documents all information and retrieves information from the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system; conducts computer inquiries in several law enforcement databases to determine wants and warrants on persons, vehicles, and property; deciphers information received from these databases; operates deaf telephone equipment (TTY).

5. Maintains a working knowledge of laws and regulations from the State of California, Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission as well as internal policies and procedures.

6. Operate a variety of public safety communications equipment including a multi-channel radio, 9-1-1 emergency telephone equipment, computer aided dispatch system, instant recall recorders, marine radio, and a fire pager.

7. Perform related duties as assigned

Qualifications

Knowledge of:
1. Standard office practices and procedures.
2. Basic conflict resolution methods and techniques.
3. Basic customer relations' methods and practices applicable to a public safety dispatch function.

Ability to:
1. Speak and communicate clearly and concisely and modulate voice appropriately (in English).
2. Elicit and explain information effectively and accurately to a wide variety of callers, including law enforcement, medical and fire personnel, local government officials and the public.
3. Reason clearly, analyze situations accurately, and adopt and develop effective courses of action under emergency and non-emergency situations.
4. Maintain professional demeanor and response in handling sensitive, provocative and/or emergency calls/callers.
5. Multitask and handle several telephone calls, radio transmissions, and computer functions simultaneously.
6. Record and relay numerous details accurately during routine phone calls as well as from callers under duress.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education, Training and Experience:

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.

Two years of responsible clerical or law enforcement-related experience requiring public contact. Time served as a District Intern counts towards the years of experience.

At least one year of operational experience in a public safety setting performing duties comparable to that of Public Safety Dispatcher is preferred but not required.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

A current, valid California Class C driver's license at time of appointment and maintained at all times thereafter in order to operate a vehicle on District business.

Must successfully pass a complete background investigation to include a police records check, employment history, credit history, education history, polygraph examination, neighborhood check and reference check.

Must successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination, psychological examination, and drug screen.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation.
Employees may be required to work rotation shiftwork, holidays, weekends, and mandated overtime when necessary.