Communications Dispatcher Trainee

Redondo Beach, CA
Redondo Beach Police Department

Salary: $57,516.00 Annually.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Police Chief and supervisors, Communications Dispatcher Trainees perform in a training capacity to dispatch Police, Fire and emergency medical services and to receive complaints and calls for service in the City’s Communication Center. This position performs work under general instructions, but with established policies, procedures and precedents as guides; and performs related duties as required to achieve successful results in support of the City’s mission, goals, policies and objectives.

Essential Functions:

  • Receiving, updating and reviewing police, fire, and emergency medical service calls and status of rescue units; prioritizing incidents and radio traffic; dispatching the appropriate police, fire, or rescue units in accordance with established operational guidelines in a training capacity
  • Broadcasting information over radio or phone lines and entering call information into the computer aided dispatch system chronologically; transmitting messages to the appropriate station or location directing unit(s) to respond to calls; announcing information over station paging systems and via radio frequency; maintaining direct contact with field personnel; updating responding unit status, as necessary in a training capacity
  • Receiving calls for service from the public and private alarm systems; determining the nature of the complaints, alarms, or codes for computer input; recording the type of incident, locations, and other details; inputting the information into the computer to be routed to the appropriate Police or Fire dispatcher in a training capacity
  • Working shifts and irregular hours including days, evenings, nights, overtime and including weekends and holidays; may be called back for major emergencies, disasters, and critical incidents
  • Working in an environment that requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time, read color coded displays; use a computer terminal for extended periods; hear sufficiently to accurately and completely obtain information from callers; and communicate clearly to effectively dispatch information over the radio/communication system. Frequent lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds may be required.
  • Providing outstanding internal and external customer service, communicating effectively with the public and fellow employees, solving problems and proactively creating sustainable solutions to issues
  • Conducting duties, responsibilities, tasks and assignments with a constructive, cooperative, positive, professional attitude and demeanor
  • Supporting the City’s mission, goals, policies and objectives
  • Supporting City’s corporate values of: openness and honesty; integrity and ethics; accountability; outstanding customer service; teamwork; excellence; and fiscal responsibility
  • Performing other related duties as required

Requirements:

  • Requires possession of a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent and the minimum age of 18 years at time of appointment.
    • Additional college credits and bilingual skills are desirable.
  • One (1) year of experience as an Emergency Services Dispatcher with a public safety Computer Aided Dispatching system is desirable.
  • Applicants are required to pass a California Certified Dispatcher School within 18 months of appointment.
  • Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification must be obtained within 12 months of appointment to this classification.