Fire District Dispatcher Jobs

The Position

Bargaining Unit: IAFF Local 1230
Shift: 24-hour Kelly schedule The Communications Division operates the 911 system for nearly all fire, emergency, and medical calls County-wide and manages the dispatch of first responders to 141,000 fire and EMS incidents annually.

The Fire District Dispatcher is responsible for providing general information to the public and screening calls using established Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) protocols and dispatching fire apparatus staff to emergency situations.

The District is an "all-hazards" organization providing fire suppression, First Responder Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency medical services as well as 911 emergency ambulance transport services for over two-thirds of the county, technical rescue, marine firefighting, and water rescue.

Ranking among the larger California fire agencies, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is a well-equipped, full-service fire agency.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A team player who understands and embraces TEAMWORK!
• Flexible, highly motivated, mature, and willing to work 24-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays.
• A strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills who knows how to talk to people, elicit pertinent information, and remain calm in stressful situations.
• Able to multi-task and triage incoming calls and radio communications.
• Committed to career-long learning, and has the ability to receive constructive feedback and apply it in your future work.
• Adaptable to learning new technology and has excellent computer skills.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Selecting emergency response field units in accordance with established user agency policies and procedures.
• Processing calls using Medical Protocol Dispatch Systems (MPDS).
• Maintaining radio contact with field units and enforcing proper channel control, with discipline and courtesy.
• Receiving routine and emergency calls for Fire and Medical services.
• Maintaining an accurate record of the location and current status of emergency response field units.
• Providing pre-arrival instructions to callers (i.e. CPR, childbirth, choking).
• Transmitting messages by operating telecommunications and computer equipment.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• We are a team of the “best of the best” dispatchers in Northern California.
• You’ll have the opportunity to respond to the field as a part of our Incident Dispatch Team.
• The 24-hour work schedule allows for more time with your family.
• You’ll be a part of an AMAZING team of dispatchers that take pride in their work.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Getting acclimated to the 24-hour Kelly schedule.
• Adjusting to a new or different way of dispatching fire and medical units.
• Learning a new CAD system, EMD protocols, and new geographical area.

Competencies Required:

• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new ways to do business
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability

To read the complete job description, please visit the website: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/contracosta/classspecs/3969?keywords=fire%20district%20dispatcher&pagetype=classSpecifications

This is a continuous recruitment process; eligible candidates may remain on the eligible list for six months.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License. Out of state valid motor vehicle operator’s license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalency or high school proficiency certificate.

Experience: Two (2) years of full-time (or the equivalent of full-time) experience within the last three (3) years, operating 9-1-1 telephones, Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), and radio communications equipment while dispatching public safety emergency services.

Performance Requirement: Ability to type at a speed of not less than 30 words per minute at a PC terminal.

Other Requirement: Must pass a thorough background investigation and medical screening prior to employment.

Desirable:

• Certification as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD)

Selection Process

• Written Assessment: Candidates that pass the required CritiCall assessment will be invited to participate in the eSkill Written Assessment. eSkill is designed to measure applicant's knowledge, skills, and abilities to complete exercises that replicate some aspect of the job; as well as measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the Fire District Dispatcher classification. These may include, but are not limited to: Self-Management, Listening, Building & Maintaining Relationships, Handling Stress, Establishing Credibility, and Decision Making. The assessment will be timed. Candidates must receive a passing score in order to be ranked on the employment list. (Weighted 25%)
• Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application, applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
• CritiCall Performance Assessment: Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in the CritiCall Performance Assessment. CritiCall is designed to measure applicant's knowledge, skills, and abilities to complete exercises that replicate some aspect of the job. The examination may be timed and include the following physical examinations: decision making, data entry, call summarization, memory recall, prioritization, map reading, verbal ability, reasoning ability, and perceptual ability. Candidates must receive a passing score, in order to be ranked on the employment list. Note, we do NOT accept CritiCall results from other agencies. Candidates must participate in the CritiCall with Contra Costa County and achieve passing scores in order to advance in the recruitment process. Test information is available by visiting the vendor's website at: CritiCall and Dispatcher Applicant: F.A.Q. Candidates are only permitted to participate in the CritiCall Performance assessment once every 6 months. (Qualifying) (Weighted 75%)

The assessments will be administered remotely using a computer. You will need access to a reliable internet connection and a computer to participate in the assessments.

For applications received between 7/28/23 – 8/27/09/23
CritiCall Assessment (remote): 9/3/23 - 9/6/23
eSkill Assessment (remote): 9/11/23 - 9/13/23

For applications received between 8/28/23 – 9/24/23
CritiCall Assessment (remote): 10/2/23 - 10/4/23
eSkill Assessment (remote): 10/9/23 - 10/11/23

For applications received between 9/25/23 – 10/22/23
CritiCall Assessment (remote): 10/30/23 - 11/1/23
eSkill Assessment (remote): 11/6/23 - 11/8/23

For applications received between 10/23/23 – 11/19/23
CritiCall Assessment (remote): 11/29/23 - 12/1/23
eSkill Assessment (remote): 12/6/23 - 12/8/23

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Elizabeth Loud at [email protected]. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at 1 855-524-5627.
After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.
All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.