Description
The City of Irwindale invites your application for the position of...
POLICE DISPATCHER/CLERK
EXCELLENT BENEFITS PACKAGE
Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Premiums Paid at 100%
for Employee and Eligible Dependents
Choice of CalPERS PPO/HMO Health Plans
Holiday Pay (140 hours per calendar year paid at time and a half)
Education Incentive
Tuition Reimbursement
Join the Irwindale Police Department
Supportive Community, Competitive Pay, Excellent Benefits
The Irwindale Police Department believes strongly in our mission to provide excellent service in policing by partnering with the community to enhance the quality of life. Professionalism, Integrity, Accountability, and Respect are the core values of our agency.
A typing certificate dated within the last twelve months from an acceptable agency showing a minimum typing speed of 40 NET words per minute in a 5-MINUTE test must be submitted with application. Candidates who fail to provide a typing certificate at time of application will not be invited to participate in the selection process. Certificates are subject to verification. Acceptable agencies are an employment agency, a business college, an adult school, or a public school system. Self-administered Internet (on-line) test scores and certificates are not acceptable.
Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties related to the operation of a computer-aided communication system; receives and transmits routine and emergency messages, coordinates the activities of field units, dispatches police personnel in response to service requests, and maintains detailed records of activities in response to each request; provides information to the public; and performs a variety of clerical, record-keeping and general support functions in the police department.
Examples of Duties
- Receives, classifies, and prioritizes all incoming calls to the dispatch center including 911 calls, emergency, and non-emergency calls received from citizens and allied agencies requesting service or information; operates a variety of public safety communications equipment including 911 emergency telephone equipment, computer-aided dispatch systems, and multi-channel radio system.
- Evaluates response necessary as dictated by a given request for service; determines nature, location, and priority of calls; operates computer aided dispatch system to create calls for service within response criteria guidelines; assigns and dispatches personnel in accordance with policies and procedures; transfers calls to other appropriate agency in accordance with established procedures; maintains records of responses to requests for service; obtains and dispatches other support services as necessary.
- Maintains contact with all units on assignment; maintains status and location of field units; monitors multiple radio frequencies; relays emergency and non-emergency information to public safety personnel in the field.
- Retrieves information from local, state, and national computer networks regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, restraining orders, criminal histories, parolees, and other related information; relays information to officers in the field.
- Operates computer terminals to enter, modify, and retrieve data such as stolen and recovered property, towed and stolen vehicles, missing and unidentified persons, citations, field interviews, driver license and vehicle registration information, and warrants on wanted persons; composes and transmits messages to other agencies.
- Performs a wide variety of specialized clerical duties involved in the preparation, maintenance, and release of materials related to law enforcement activities; organizes, processes, maintains, updates, and routes a variety of departmental reports, records, and files; operates and maintains the departmental centralized record keeping systems; makes inquiries; enters reports; updates individual files; updates codes.
- Assists the general public and other agencies at the front counter; provides requested forms; releases reports as appropriate; performs record checks; releases vehicles; responds to complaints and inquiries from the general public including to provide directions and variety of information on department policies and functions; refers inquires to appropriate agency or department.
- Arranges tow service requests for vehicles being stored by the department.
- Processes, evaluates, and distributes police reports and records while ensuring that information is released in accordance with related laws and departmental policies.
- Female dispatchers may be required to perform matron duties as needed.
- Performs additional duties as required to address business needs and changing business practices.
Qualifications
Knowledge of: Operations, services, and activities of a public safety telecommunications and dispatch center; operational characteristics of modern public safety telecommunications equipment including computer aided dispatch systems and multi-channel radio systems; law enforcement and emergency service procedures for responding to and handling reported incidents; techniques of questioning for both emergency and non-emergency calls; methods and techniques of receiving, prioritizing, and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls for service; functions of the Police Department and other City Departments; geographic features and locations within the area served; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; methods and techniques of telephone etiquette; methods and techniques of conflict resolution; principles and procedures of record keeping.
Ability to: Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints; effectively communicate and elicit information from upset and irate callers; speak clearly and concisely in an understandable voice via radio and telephone and in person; hear and distinguish radio voice traffic within normal levels and over background noise; make independent decisions that affect the safety of public safety personnel, citizens, and property such as those involved in determining the urgency of requests received and the appropriate action to take; dispatch police units quickly and effectively; think quickly, calmly, and clearly in emergency situations; perform multiple tasks simultaneously; operate a variety of telecommunications receiving and transmitting equipment including radio transmitting communication equipment, teletype equipment, and computer equipment; operate specialized public safety computer systems and applications; read and interpret maps and other navigational resources and give directions; type 40 words per minute and enter data accurately; work under pressure, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions in emergency situations; understand and follow oral and written instructions; interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations including police records retention and dissemination policies and procedures; maintain composure, alertness and concentration while working for extended periods of time; compile, maintain, process, and prepare a variety of records and reports; deal tactfully and courteously with the public reporting emergencies and seeking information or filing a report; maintain confidentiality; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Supplemental Information
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: This position works on a rotating shift basis and will require working days, nights, weekends, and holidays. The Chief of Police shall have the discretion to modify work schedules to meet the needs of the City.
Education/Training/Experience: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. One year of experience working with the public is desirable. Bilingual Spanish language skills highly desirable.
Ability to complete required P.O.S.T. PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER BASIC COURSE within one year of initial employment (if candidate has not previously completed the course).
Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license, acceptable driving record, and proof of auto insurance in compliance with the City's Vehicle Insurance Policy standards.
SELECTION PROCESS: Applications will be reviewed and only those candidates whose applications and resume most clearly demonstrate the job related experience, education, and training sought by the City shall be selected to move forward in the recruitment process, which may consist of a written exam, performance tests, and oral interviews. The final candidate must successfully complete a thorough background which may include: medical exam, drug screening, employment history verification, DMV check, and fingerprinting.
WRITTEN EXAM: (PASS/FAIL): POST Entry Level Dispatcher Selection Test - To determine the applicant's general ability and aptitude for public safety dispatcher work.
An examinee guide is available to help candidates prepare for the written test. Copies may be downloaded from the California P.O.S.T. website:
https://post.ca.gov/portals/0/post_docs/publications/Dispatcher_Selection_Test_Battery-Examin ee_Guide.pdf (Download PDF reader)
Applicants who have previously taken the POST Dispatcher examination within one (1) year of submission of application may attach a copy of their score to the employment application. Note: POST Dispatcher Exam Scores must be on the agency’s letterhead with a Pass Point T–Score of 45. Acceptance of the other agency's T-Score is subject to verification.
Written exam waived for lateral candidates and candidates who currently possess a POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate with a completion date within one (1) year of submission of application (must submit copy of certificate with application).
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Complete an online application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/irwindaleca. The online application process allows you to attach electronic documents (i.e. resume, certifications) that you would like the hiring department to take into consideration when reviewing your application.
- A typing certificate dated within the last twelve months from an acceptable agency showing a minimum typing speed of 40 NET words per minute in a 5-MINUTE test MUST be submitted with application.
- Certificates are subject to verification. Acceptable agencies are an employment agency, a business college, an adult school, or a public school system.
- Self-administered Internet (on-line) test scores and certificates are not acceptable.
- POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate, if any, should also be attached to the application
Please feel free to contact Human Resources at (626) 430-2200 or hr@irwindaleca.gov should you have any questions or need assistance.
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout process.
All applicants must be legally eligible for employment in the United States. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The City of Irwindale does not discriminate and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
