Police Dispatcher Trainee/Police Dispatcher

Police Dispatcher - To receive, evaluate, and transmit emergency and routine voice radio messages via telephone, and teletype and automatic alarm; to dispatch required equipment and personnel in accordance with standard policies and procedures; to maintain records; and to do related work as required. This is a full journey level class within the Police Dispatcher series and has the ability to perform a full range of duties assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance as unique situations arise. This class is distinguished from the Police Dispatcher Trainee in that the latter is an entry-level position that works under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Please Note : The City of Chula Vista has a vacancy to be filled at either the Police Dispatcher Trainee or Police Dispatcher level, based on the evaluation of the candidate's qualifications and other factors. If hired at the Police Dispatcher Trainee level, movement to the Police Dispatcher level is neither implied nor guaranteed.

Essential Functions: Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: receive service requests by telephone on 911 emergency and business lines; obtain information on the nature of the request/emergency, the location, and telephone number of caller, name of caller and other pertain information, remaining on the line with victim in emergency, as appropriate and create a record of the information; analyze requests for police service, determine priority ranking of each request and the kind and level of service to be dispatched in initial response; determine available units to dispatch; dispatch personnel and equipment according to standard operational procedures, instructions from a superior or by individual judgment as required; refers difficult or extremely serious calls to supervisor; listen to each radio transmission from police personnel in the field, acknowledges and complies with request for action or information; keep superiors informed as to emergency situations and general activities; place telephone calls to other police jurisdictions, City departments, City emergency crews, vehicle tow companies, ambulance services, coroner, relatives of victims, telephone and utility companies, alarm company, traffic signal maintenance and other services concerning an emergency; maintain detailed Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) records of the time and nature of each call; operate computer aided dispatch system equipment, TDD and other office equipment; operate teletype and computer terminal to check for registered owners of vehicles and other information; refer to maps and reference materials to secure information needed by personnel in the field and for the dispatch function; take reports and relays messages by radio or telephone or CAD messages; type, issue case numbers, log departmental activities and perform routine clerical work; assist in monitoring activity in jail cells via a closed circuit TV system; maintain law enforcement resource status and activity log in the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) computer; may instruct other personnel in the techniques and use of communications equipment; may perform minor or routine upkeep and maintenance of equipment; and perform other duties related to this position.

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Police Dispatcher - Two years of responsible clerical, administrative, public information or emergency service including radio-telephone communications work or successful completion as a Police Dispatcher Trainee with the City of Chula Vista and training equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Work experience as public safety dispatcher is highly desirable.

Recruitment No. 23517906
To be considered, applicants must submit a City Application and Supplemental Questionnaire by 5:00 PM on the closing date listed. Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via e-mail.

Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration. Note that the examination materials for this recruitment are validated, copyrighted and/or inappropriate for review. The eligibility lists established as a result of this recruitment will be for a duration of six (6) months, unless otherwise extended.

Successful candidates must undergo a thorough background investigation. There are certain types of conduct which are automatic grounds for disqualification. Please click here to review the "Pre-Employment Disqualifying Criteria" which identify some of the common areas of the background investigation process that may cause delay or prevent you from competing in the selection process.