Police Communications Dispatcher

Emeryville, CA
Emeryville Police Department

Salary: $75,888.00 – $92,256.00 Annually

Position Summary:

The 9-1-1 Dispatch Center provides a full array of public safety communications services for Police, Fire, and EMS on a 24-hour, 7-day basis. The Police Communications Dispatcher receives and transmits routine and 9-1-1 emergency telephone and radio calls, dispatches required personnel and/or equipment; performs responsible clerical work of moderate complexity; operates various dispatch center equipment including computer terminals; maintains equipment; and performs related work as required.

Essential Functions:

  • Answer 9-1-1 emergency and routine calls for service
  • Dispatch appropriate personnel to location or incident scene
  • Respond to needs of officers involved in law enforcement related activities
  • Maintain composure during incident period and prioritize tasks according to importance
  • Relay information to other agencies and coordinate mutual response radio traffic
  • Operate a variety of equipment such as: Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, record management system (RMS), personal computer, on-line computer terminal, vehicle, multiple-line telephone and police radio
  • Assess situations and make appropriate decisions consistent with established guidelines and training
  • Maintain accurate department and law enforcement records and files
  • Research and compile data and prepare reports of reported emergencies, equipment dispatched, and/or position of emergency
  • Act as first line answering point for the department and respond to requests from the public
  • Work various hours including rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required
  • Effectively use the English language including spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, and grammar

Requirements:

  • Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade
  • Must be at least 18 years of age by date of appointment
  • Experience in a customer setting, customer service involving public contact while performing multiple tasks is preferred
  • Either possess a Dispatcher Academy Certificate or have completed the POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery or passed the National Testing Network’s (NTN) “Emergency Communications” test
  • Must obtain a POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate prior to completion of probationary period.
  • Typing Certificate (Entry Level only): The typing certificate must be issued within the last 6 months and demonstrate typing proficiency of at least 35 net wpm. The MESA will not accept typing certificates obtained from an on-line typing service. A list of agencies that provide typing certificates is available on the MESA website at www.emeryville.org under the Human Resources section.
  • Possession of a valid California Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record by date of appointment.
  • Must possess the mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office and law enforcement communications equipment; have the stamina to maintain attention to detail and work on a computer for an extended period of time; eye sight sufficient to read data, memos, spreadsheets, vouchers, and computer screens; the manual dexterity to operate a personal computer, typewriter, photocopier, and word processor; the ability to sit for extended periods; the ability to stand, walk, bend, and reach above and below the shoulders; able to lift and carry objects weighing up to twenty (20) pounds; work occasional long hours; and hear tones, signals, radio and phone traffic.

Preferred Requirements:

  • Experience in dispatch or other law enforcement related field
  • Bi-lingual
  • Possession of College Credits
  • Possession of a POST approved Dispatcher Basic Academy Certificate
  • Possession of a POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate or higher (obtained by passing a dispatcher academy and completing probation with any CA Law Enforcement agency)