Job Abstract

**Effective July 13, 2024 the new salary will be $31.48/hr. - $42.03/hr.**

The La Habra Police Department is seeking a highly motivated, customer service-oriented and dedicated individual to serve as a

Lateral Communications Operator

This position requires a typing certificate with a passing score of 40 NWPM.

**Applications without a valid typing certificate will NOT be considered.**

For typing certificate requirements, please click HERE.

ONLY THOSE CANDIDATES MEETING “LATERAL REQUIREMENTS” WILL CONTINUE IN THE SELECTION PROCESS.

ABOUT THE CITY:

The City of La Habra is a vibrant Southern California community, strategically located in the northwest corner of Orange County. Today the City is home to a population of over 63,000 residents within La Habra’s 7.3 square miles. A friendly and diverse community, La Habra is conveniently located within an hour's drive of many beaches, mountains, and desert recreation areas. The City is known for the Corn Festival, Citrus Fair, Tamale Festival and the jewel of La Habra, its Children’s Museum. While the City has planned for and encourages measured growth, it retains a small town feel and lives up to its heritage as “A Caring Community.”

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

Since 1925, the La Habra Police Department has been dedicated to providing the residents of this community with a safe environment in which to live and work. This commitment to service is a tradition upheld by the men and women who serve La Habra and is reflected in all aspects of the department’s day-to-day operations.

In addition to the regular duties of traffic and law enforcement, the La Habra Police Department strives to assess the needs of the City and, working in partnership with area residents, successfully address those concerns. Since law enforcement and public safety are a citywide concern, we actively seek the involvement of community members in all aspects of policing and welcome their participation.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Under general supervision of the Communications Supervisor, the Lateral Communications Operator receives and transmits emergency and non-emergency calls from the public requesting police and other emergency services; maintains contact with all units on assignment; documents calls for service on a computer aided dispatch system; and provides general information to the public.

This position is assigned to the Police Communications Center, which is a 24-hour, seven days per week operation, requiring shift coverage. Communications Operators must work assigned shifts and must be proficient at multi-tasking. There is a high expectation placed on the accuracy and speed of information gathering and the maturity in decision making.

(The following duties represent the principal job duties; however, they are not all inclusive.)

• Receives calls, complaints, and inquiries from the public for police or other emergency services over the phone.
• Screens incoming calls to determine priority resources, and types of response required in accordance with established procedures.
• Simultaneously receives, responds and documents information from multiple sources while maintaining accuracy in order to relay information to responding personnel.
• Proficiently handles multiple tasks and events simultaneously.
• Communicates clearly, concisely, and possesses effective listening skills.
• Responsibly relays confidential information with accuracy back to the field personnel.
• Performs general clerical work in support of communication activities.
• Conducts various data entry functions as directed by supervision.
• Maintains contact with other cities or agencies for cooperative emergency operations.
• Works holidays, weekends, day, night, and graveyard shifts as assigned and required.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFYING KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and procedures involved in public safety communications work.
• Geography of the City and the location of streets and important buildings.
• Operation of radio/telephone receiving and transmitting equipment.

• Accurately record and retain data given orally.
• Communicate effectively orally in highly stressful situations.
• Speak clearly and precisely.
• Accurately read and interpret maps.
• Handle simultaneous calls.
• Listen and comprehend radio calls while talking on the phone
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
• Exercise independent judgment.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships.
• Type accurately at a moderate speed.
• Train others in the use of communication equipment.
• Ability to pass a thorough background investigation and polygraph. The investigation will cover information regarding relatives, references, acquaintances, educational background, residential history, employment history, criminal history, military service records, financial status, legal history, drug use and related areas.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position. A High School diploma or equivalent is required. One year of experience performing typing and clerical duties, demonstrated ability to function under stress, and the ability to handle several tasks simultaneously. Must be able to type 40 net words per minute (a typing certificate is required).

LATERAL REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum one (1) year of experience as a Public Safety Dispatcher and successful completion of probation with a California public safety agency. Must be able to obtain a POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate or complete the California Commission on Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) Public Safety Dispatcher course within one year of appointment.

LICENSE REQUIREMENT:

Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license.

Typing certificate required from all applicants with a minimum of 40 net words per minute. Certificate must be issued within one (1) year prior to the application date by an accredited school or agency. Certificates from the Internet testing services and/or home computer CD testing will NOT be accepted.

SCHEDULE:

Operators work various shifts that include a three/four-month rotation of days, swing and graveyard shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift holdovers. Shift assignments consist of 12 hours a day with some overtime based on varying circumstances.

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS AND SCHEDULE:

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Operators are required to work various shifts as assigned; Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard to enter data; and to verbally communicate to exchange Information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction to operate a visual display terminal for extended periods of time, sometimes without the ability to move at will.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting. Exposure to high frequency noise.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all La Habra City employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

INTERESTED IN APPLYING?

Candidates must submit an application online and a typing certificate with a net speed of 40 wpm through the Human Resources Department webpage at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lahabraca. Certificates must be issued within one (1) year prior to the application date by an accredited school or agency. Failure to submit a valid typing certificate along with your application will result in disqualification from the recruitment. Completed application will be accepted on a CONTINUOUS BASIS. The City will not accept faxes or resumes in lieu of a City application. All applications will be screened and those applicants deemed best qualified will be invited to participate in an oral interview. The final candidate must be able to successfully pass a Police Department pre-employment screening process and successfully complete an extensive background including polygraph, medical exam, drug/alcohol screening, employment history verification, DMV check, and fingerprint verification through Livescan.

If any accommodation is needed during the interviewing process, please notify the Human Resources Department at least five days in advance of your scheduled appointment so that we may be able to provide a reasonable accommodation.

This bulletin is not a contract, neither expressed nor implied.

Any provision herein may be modified or revoked.