Public Safety Dispatcher I

The City of Chino Police Department is seeking dedicated, highly motivated, service-oriented individuals with exceptional multitasking, communication, and critical thinking skills to join our team as a Public Safety Dispatcher I.  As the first point of contact during emergencies, Public Safety Dispatchers play a vital role in supporting public safety by providing calm, professional, and timely assistance while coordinating emergency response in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

The Chino Police Department's Police Communications Center is staffed by a collaborative team of dedicated professionals who work in a modern, state-of-the-art facility designed to support employee comfort and performance. Dispatchers benefit from ergonomic sit-to-stand workstations with individual comfort systems at each console, as well as access to an onsite fitness center through the Police Officers' Association.

Under immediate supervision from assigned management personnel, receives emergency and non-emergency calls; dispatches Police and emergency units; maintains contact with personnel in the field; operates a variety of transmitting/receiving equipment; performs a variety of general support duties related to dispatch activities; and does related work as assigned.

This is the entry-level classification in the public safety dispatcher series. Employees receive emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatch police personnel, and provide vital communication support. Through training and on-the-job experience, incumbents develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform increasingly complex duties and advance to the journey-level Public Safety Dispatcher II classification. Employees in this class are expected to develop and apply these knowledge and abilities as they gain training and experience.

Essential Functions:

• Receives requests for Police and emergency services over the phone; answers 911 calls; screens incoming calls to determine necessity, priority, and type of response required; collects pertinent information to inform and prepare responders; monitors all radio frequencies to be aware of incidents elsewhere that may affect operations.
• Dispatches Police units in response to calls for service or requests from Officers in the field; uses appropriate terminology and cites Code sections by number; calls public and private agencies to request mutual assistance when necessary, including allied law enforcement, hospitals, towing services, and utilities.
• Prioritizes community safety; determines if schools need to be locked down or areas of the City needs closed due to safety concerns.
• Receives mutual aid requests from other emergency service providers such as law enforcement agencies, hospitals, Child Protective Service, and Adult Protective Services; dispatches and prioritizes calls as well as responding units. 
• Accurately accounts for Police and emergency units locations and status; maintains constant radio contact with personnel.
• Runs records checks on subjects and vehicles for warrants/wanted information and officer/citizen safety, including researching firearms systems, wanted persons systems, missing persons files, criminal history, and probation/parole status.
• Maintains log of incoming service requests and actions completed; prepares various reports and files.
• Enters, updates, retrieves, and clears information shared locally and in nationwide law enforcement databases. 
• Provides information and referral services to the public and other law enforcement agencies. 
• Calms callers and maintains professionalism on the phone and the radio during stressful and dangerous situations.
• Monitors and operates closed circuit television and cameras and license plate readers in order to provide real time information and responses to field units.
• Operates a variety of public safety telecommunications equipment; tests and inspects equipment as needed.
• Provides general information to the public; refers callers to appropriate agencies.
• Provides support to Crime Analyst and Records Technician functions, as directed.
• When a Dispatch Supervisor is not present, provides guidance and advice to dispatch and patrol personnel.
• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Maintain prompt and regular attendance.
• Perform all duties within the context of the City's Mission Statement and Organizational Values.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential job duties of the position is qualifying.   A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Education: High School Diploma or G.E.D. 
• Experience: One (1) year of clerical or technical administrative experience involving extensive public interaction, preferably in a law enforcement environment.
• Licenses/Certifications:  
  • A valid typing certificate demonstrating a minimum typing speed of 40 net words per minute with no more than 10 errors (required). 
  • Successful completion of a California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic Dispatch Academy (desirable).
  • For Part-Time and On Call employees only: Possession of a valid POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic certificate, to be maintained throughout employment (required).

• Be issued by an accredited school or agency.
• Be dated within 12 months of the application date.
• Be attached to the application upon submission.

Online typing test results are not accepted. Please refer to the City's Typing Certificate Requirements page for additional information.

Knowledge of: 

• Public safety dispatching principles, practices, and procedures.
• Computer-aided dispatch (CAD), radio, and telecommunications systems.
• Emergency call-taking and dispatch techniques.
• Recordkeeping and report preparation.
• City geography, streets, maps, and landmarks.
• Applicable laws, regulations, and public safety terminology.
• Customer service and conflict resolution techniques.

Ability to:

• Assess and prioritize emergency situations while remaining calm and exercising sound judgment.
• Communicate effectively with distressed callers to obtain accurate and critical information.
• Multi-task by listening, speaking, and entering information accurately at the same time.
• Maintain focus, composure, and attention to detail in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Dispatch the appropriate emergency resources and relay information quickly and accurately.
• Operate computer-aided dispatch, radio, and telecommunications systems efficiently while maintaining confidentiality.

Selection Process

Applications will be screened to determine whether applicants meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Candidates whose education, training, and relevant experience best meet the needs of the City may be invited to participate in the selection process, which will include a written examination and oral interview.

• POST Entry -Level Dispatcher Test Applicant Preparation Guide (PDF)
• POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Applicant FAQs

• Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
• Must be available to work rotating shifts, including day, swing, and graveyard shifts, as well as weekdays, weekends, evenings, holidays, and overtime, as operational needs require. The Police Communications Center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Must be able to report immediately to work for emergency call-outs and work at locations other than the Police Department, as needed.
• Must successfully pass a practical examination.

Ready to Apply?

All applicants are required to apply online at http://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/chinoca. Let’s build something amazing together.

Applications must be complete and demonstrate that the minimum qualifications are met. Resumes and cover letters may be attached to the completed application form as supplemental information, but will not be accepted in lieu of an official application form. Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates who best match the needs of the City will be invited to compete further in the examination process. 

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Human Resources/Risk Management Analyst, Genevieve Hughes at [email protected] or 909-334-3386.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The City of Chino is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources/Risk Management Department at (909) 334-3274. Requests should be made three (3) business days in advance.

Prospective employees selected for employment must successfully complete a background investigation, polygraph test, psychological evaluation, physical examination, which includes a drug screen, and an administrative review The background check, paid for by the City, also includes Live Scan fingerprinting through the Department of Justice.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.