CITY OF SACRAMENTO Department of Human Resources 915 I Street, Historic City Hall Sacramento, CA 95814-2604http://portal.cityofsacramento.org/HR
INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF:
Dispatcher II (Lateral)

An Equal Opportunity Employer

FINAL FILING DATE: 01/20/17

THE POSITION

DEFINITION

To receive incoming telephone calls and dispatch police units as necessary for assistance; perform a variety of general support duties related to communications activities.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

DISPATCHER I

This is the first working level class in the Dispatcher series. Incumbents of this class are trained in department policies, procedures and systems through on-the-job training. Generally, work is observed and reviewed both during performance and upon completion. Dispatcher Recruit is distinguished from the Dispatcher I classification in that it is a classroom training classification.

DISPATCHER II

Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower class of Dispatcher I. Appointment at the higher class requires that the employee be performing the full range of duties assigned to the class. Work in this class is distinguished from that of the Dispatcher I class by the greater independence with which an incumbent is expected to operate. Dispatcher II is a journey-level classification and incumbents are expected to perform the full range of duties of Dispatcher without direct supervision.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

DISPATCHER I

Immediate supervision is provided by a Dispatcher III. Technical or functional supervision may be provided by a Dispatcher II or Dispatcher III.

DISPATCHER II

General supervision is provided by a Dispatcher III.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Receive emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from the public requesting police, fire, and local government service; determine nature and priority; dispatch units as necessary; and/or refer or transfer callers to ensure excellent customer service.
• Maintain radio contact with all units on assignment.
• Coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement and fire fighting agencies.
• Query information from law enforcement communication networks relating to wanted persons, criminal history, stolen property, and Department of Motor Vehicle information.
• Query and enter stolen, stored, and repossessed vehicle information.
• Perform a variety of records keeping duties related to the computer aided dispatch system.
• Test and inspect equipment as required.
• Testify in court as needed.
• Prepare written responses or reports related to communication complaints, investigative follow-ups or police reports.
• Write daily work progress reports when training a new Dispatcher.
• Demonstrate professionalism, courtesy, empathy, and excellent customer service in accordance with departmental policy and the community oriented policing concept.
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

QUALIFICATIONS

*SEE LATERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS*

DISPATCHER I

Knowledge of:

• English grammar, usage, spelling and punctuation.

Ability to:

• Express him/herself in English in a clear, distinct, and understandable manner when speaking to individuals, before diverse populations, various public and community groups, and when testifying in court.
• Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
• Work under pressure and exercise good judgment in emergency situations.
• Exercise independent judgment and work with a minimum of supervision.
• Use a computer and keyboard to enter data provided verbally and in writing.
• Learn standard broadcasting rules and procedures.
• Learn City street system and physical layout of Sacramento.
• Understand and comply with oral and written directions.
• Learn to operate computer-aided dispatch and radio broadcasting equipment.
• Value customers and co-workers through provision of excellent customer service.
• Operate office machines and equipment.
• Type 40 net words per minute.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Education:

High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent and completion of twelve (12) units from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

One (1) year of paid customer service experience and successful completion of the Sacramento Police Department’s Safety Communication Academy within the last twelve months.

Substitution of Education:

High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent, four (4) years of paid customer service experience and successful completion of the Sacramento Police Department’s Safety Communication Academy within the last twelve months.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Employees must complete eighteen (18) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

DISPATCHER II

In addition to the qualifications of Dispatcher I:

Knowledge of:

• Standard broadcasting procedures and rules.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Education:

High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent and completion of twelve (12) units from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

One (1) year of paid customer service experience and successful completion of the probationary period as a Dispatcher I with the City of Sacramento.

Substitution of Education:

High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent, four (4) years of paid customer service experience and successful completion of the Sacramento Police Department’s Safety Communication Academy within the last twelve months.

-OR-

*LATERAL ENTRY*: (1) Employment as a full-time law enforcement dispatcher in a Public Safety Dispatch Center within the last six months; and (2) two years as a full time law enforcement dispatcher in a Public Safety Dispatch Center where duties included answering telephone calls and radio dispatching; and (3) successful completion of the California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course within 12 months of appointment.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) – All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application to the City of Sacramento Employment Office by the final filing deadline (5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2017);

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the “Work Experience” section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on 40 paid hours per week (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
  • If “see resume” is noted in the “Work Experience” section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the “Work Experience” section.

Human Resources will be communicating with you by email (so make certain that you have a valid email address that you check frequently – including your SPAM or JUNK folders).

2. Supplemental Questionnaire: (Pass/Fail) – In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, all applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire to the City of Sacramento Employment Office by the final filing deadline;

• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire must be submitted online; paper questionnaire will not be accepted.
• An incomplete supplemental questionnaire will not pass the review process; omitted information cannot be considered or assumed.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the supplemental questionnaire.

3. CRITICALL Test: (Pass/Fail) – Qualified candidates will be notified of the exam date, time, and location by mail and/or email based on their notification preference.  The CritiCall test will be job related and may test your ability to:

• Follow rules and directions.
• Make decisions quickly and accurately based on rules you are provided.
• Enter data or information (such as names, telephone numbers, license plate sequences, etc.) into a computer using a keyboard.
• Hear, comprehend, summarize, and/or answer questions about information provided verbally in short story form.
• Use written information provided on lists (such as an alphabetically-sequenced telephone book).
• Recognize if bits of information, such as addresses or names, are similar or different.
• Quickly learn and later recognize information that is shown in writing, such as descriptions (e.g., red car, blue boat, green shirt).
• Perform basic arithmetic (such as addition, subtraction, percentages) without a calculator or other tools.
• Hear and remember pieces of information, such as telephone numbers or license plate numbers, for a short period of time.
• Evaluate information provided in order to prioritize or categorize incidents.
• Evaluate information and identify the most correct solution based upon that information.
• Determine routes and/or locations using very basic maps. (No prior map-reading training or experience is required to correctly respond to these questions.)
• Correctly spell commonly-used words which sound alike that might delay emergency assistance if misspelled (e.g., patience instead of patients).
• Communicate using sentences or phrases that clearly express the intended meaning.
• Read and comprehend written passages.

ABOUT THE CANDIDATE POOL– If you pass the CritiCall test, your name will be placed on the Dispatcher II Eligible List pool for one (1) year with the possibility of the list being extended for an additional year.

QUESTIONS 

For questions concerning Drug Use Standards or the Background process:

• Visit the Police Department web site at http://www.sacpd.org/ OR;
• Call the Police Recruiting Office at (916) 808-0880 OR;
• Send an email to police_recruiting@pd.cityofsacramento.org

For questions concerning the Sacramento Police Department’s Public Safety Communications Academy:

• Call the Sacramento Police Department’s Public Safety Communications Academy at (916) 277-1742.

For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department’s website at http://www.cityofsacramento.org/HR/Career-Opportunities OR;
• Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726 OR;
• Send an email to the Human Resources Department at Employment@cityofsacramento.org OR;
• Visit the Human Resources Department at Historic City Hall, 915 I Street, Plaza Level, Sacramento, CA 95814.