FILING DEADLINE: 10/11/16 01:00 PM Pacific Time. The application filing may close any time after ten days from the issue date of this job announcement if sufficient qualified applications have been received. Postmarks are not acceptable, therefore it is important to submit your application as soon as possible.

THE POSITION

ORIENTATION SESSION (Voluntary not Mandatory):  October 5, 2016, City Hall-South, NW Entrance, Council Chambers, at 1501 Truxtun Avenue from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.   Applicants are highly encouraged to attend this Orientation Session to receive information, and allow applicants to ask any questions about this position.

HOW TO APPLY: A COMPLETED City Application, Supplemental Questionnaire and Typing Certificate must be received by the Human Resources Office, 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301 or online at http://www.bakersfieldjobs.us by the filing deadline.  POSTMARKS will not be accepted.  ***Resumes are highly recommended to be submitted along with the application.  NOTE: EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS MUST BE PROPERLY COMPLETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS ON FACE OF APPLICATION FORM. ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION NEEDED TO DETERMINE THAT THE APPLICANT MEETS THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS MUST BE SHOWN ON THE APPLICATION, AND REQUIRED TYPING CERTIFICATE; OTHERWISE, THE APPLICATION WILL BE REJECTED. RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION AND REQUIRED CERTIFICATE.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

In a learning capacity, and on an assigned shift, receives and acts upon emergency and non-emergency calls in accordance with established policies and procedures; operates communications equipment; instructs the public on proper medical techniques under emergency situations; secures and records incident information; refers inquiries to appropriate public and private agencies; keeps fire control officers advised of situation and dispatches additional personnel or equipment when so advised by the incident commander; continually monitors the status of fire units; logs all departmental emergency activity; operates other emergency service radios; operates computer systems including video display terminals; operates telephone equipment; sends and receives telephone messages; prepares and types reports; keeps necessary records; and performs related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from high school or successful completion of GED.
• Desirable Qualifications: Experience in dispatching, emergency services, or two-way radio operations; ability to adequately perform multiple concurrent tasks; ability to calmly handle emergency situations by obtaining and relaying critical information.
• CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENT: All applicants must attach a current Typing Certificate (dated within the last two years of filing deadline) certifying 35 NET WORDS PER MINUTE with the application form.  Note: Certificates obtained on-line are unacceptable, for a list of acceptable testing agencies offering Typing Certificates, please visit the following website: http://www.americasjobcenterofkern.com or contact any local America’s Job Center of California at 661-325-4473.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENT: ALL applicants MUST be able to work shift work, which includes the night shift, weekends, and holidays.  There is a shift differential paid to employees working the night shift.  Shift differential pay: $0.90 or $1.25 per hour depending on assigned shift.

OTHER MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Ability to: Learn the operation of emergency communications equipment and computer-aided dispatch systems; remain calm, act quickly and exercise good judgment in emergency situations; speak clearly and concisely in a well-modulated voice; perform basic mathematics; follow oral and written instructions and develop reports and keep records. Knowledge of:  Basic principles and techniques of communications equipment and computer terminal operations; City and County geography, communities, and location of streets and highways.EXAMINATION (WEIGHTED: 100%) EXAMINATION (WEIGHTED: 100%) ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED VIA E-MAIL (IF PROVIDED) OF DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF EXAMS:  A minimum passing score of 70% is required.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION: (Weighted: Pass/Fail) Thursday, October 20, 2016 (Tentative)  Questions may be related to reasoning and problem solving, public contact and telephone communication skills, name and number matching, deductive and inductive reasoning, map reading and interpretation and reactive learning.  *NOTE: The pass point may be set to include those applicants with the top written examination scores who achieve a minimum score of 70%.

ORAL APPRAISAL INTERVIEW: (Weighted 100%) November 3rd and November 4th, 2016 (Tentative) An appraisal will be made of the applicant’s education, training, experience, and personal qualifications for the position. Minimum rating of 70% is required.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: (Weighted: Pass/Fail) Prior to appointment, applicants must successfully complete an investigation of their personal history and background to determine suitability for this position with the Bakersfield Fire Department.