Public Safety Dispatcher

Salary: $34.23 – $41.59 Per Hour

Position Summary:

The Public Safety Dispatchers at Calistoga Police Department provide a number of services to the public, the city and the department. Duties include answering all in-coming phone calls, greeting the public, dispatching officers and/or directing the call to the appropriate person or agency, and conducting computer data base inquiries. They enter records of all calls for service into a computer aided dispatch system, which tracks each call to conclusion. They are responsible for the records section of the department, handling all correspondence and filing. Dispatch also manages the parking citation program, being the liaison between the city and a private firm that processes parking citations.

Essential Functions:

• Receives and evaluates police and emergency calls, and related business calls for the City during an assigned portion of the 24-hours-per-day/7-days-per-week Police Department operations.
• Dispatches public safety emergency units in accordance with established procedures and policies using a computerized dispatch system, including determining priority of emergency and contacting and sending appropriate response unit; provides over-the-phone instruction and assistance for medical emergencies before dispatched personnel arrive.
• Maintains contact with field units, including accounting for location and status of units and maintaining records of field calls; accesses and relays warrant information; sends back-up units, as necessary, ensuring the safety of field units.
• Operates computer, telephone, and radio console and telecommunication equipment simultaneously while performing dispatching activities; logs call data in a written or automated format; monitors calls after initial dispatch to provide additional coordination, support, or information.
• Enters, updates, and retrieves a variety of records from teletype database, including stolen vehicles and property, vehicle registration information, guns and property, and warranted or missing persons.
• Accesses Federal, State, and local law enforcement information databases to obtain information regarding outstanding warrants, criminal history, records information, and vehicle data.
• Acts as a liaison to the public and representatives of other agencies for the department.
• Monitors closed-circuit security cameras and direct emergency alarms; monitors multiple public safety and radio frequencies.
• Prepares and processes parking citations; processes Livescan records; collects and processes fees for reports, dog licenses, Livescan fingerprinting, vehicle release, and citations.

Requirements:

• The position requires the equivalent completion of the 12th grade and one year of experience receiving and processing public service calls in law enforcement or fire agency.
• License and Certifications: Possession of a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate.