Police Dispatcher - Lateral

Salary : $67,558.40 - $88,795.20 Annually

Location : Buena Park, CA

Job Type: Full-Time (Benefited)

Job Number: 24-00057

Department: Police

Opening Date: 09/09/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

JOB BULLETIN

Applications will be accepted on a CONTINUOUS BASIS with a first review date of October 7, 2024, until position is filled. Apply early.
This position may close at any time without notice. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit application materials as soon as possible.


**THE CITY OF BUENA PARK IS CURRENTLY HIRING LATERAL POLICE DISPATCHERS**

THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO LATERAL DISPATCHERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY WORKING AS A DISPATCHER IN A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TO QUALIFY

***$12,000 SIGNING BONUS*** Successful Candidates will be paid $4,000 of the Signing Bonus at the time of hire, $4,000 after completion of a 12-Month Probationary Period, and $4,000 at the completion of the second year of service.

Make a difference in your community as a Police Dispatcher and join a first-class department with a state-of-the-art facility that includes large windows providing natural light, ergonomic sit-stand dispatcher consoles and an organization that values diversity among staff and encourages each employee to take personal responsibility and make individual contributions.
The City of Buena Park Police Department offers a work environment unmatched in Orange County.
Our Police Dispatchers are first responders who serve as the primary link between the public and police officers receiving 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls.


Our elite law enforcement agency is looking for qualified POLICE DISPATCHERS.
This is an exciting and rewarding career option in our Buena Park Police Department.
If you are already trained as a dispatcher, are team-oriented, have a strong work ethic, and exceptional customer service and communication skills - APPLY TODAY! GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision, receives incoming calls for police assistance and dispatches necessary units; monitors and delivers information via radio communication systems to field personnel; monitors alarm systems and teletype communications; receives incoming telephone calls; assists the public and police personnel by providing accurate factual information; evaluates the type and level of response necessary; and does related work as required.


DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Police Dispatcher is responsible for organizing and completing tasks in priority order to meet statutory and non-statutory work deadlines.
The Police Dispatcher is distinguished from the Police Lead Dispatcher, who is responsible for training dispatchers, coordinating assignments, and monitoring calls, while handling more difficult calls, and providing daily administrative support for an assigned shift.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.
The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.


Receives 911 emergency calls from the public for police emergency services; evaluates information to determine location of the emergency and the appropriate personnel and equipment needed to respond; may route callers to proper agency for service.

Dispatches emergency units on the Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD) as necessary per established procedures.

Maintains contact with all units on assignment to determine their status and location.

Communicates with callers to determine the disposition of calls; provides assistance and instructions.

Contacts County and emergency management network agencies to coordinate mutual aid and call responses, and updates system data.

Operates a variety of telecommunications and computer equipment.

Monitors security cameras and alarms and initiates emergency responses in the event of unauthorized entries.

Answers non-emergency calls for assistance, screens calls, and routes calls to the appropriate personnel.

Enters, updates, and retrieves police related data from computer and teletype networks and inputs a daily log of all calls and field units involved.

Performs call-outs for a variety of resources such as animal control, towing services, medical assistance, and other specialized services.
QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES Knowledge of:

Laws, codes, regulations, policies, and department procedures governing public safety dispatching, including radio, computer, and telephone communications, and associated receiving and transmitting equipment; ability to learn portions of the California Penal Code, Health and Safety Code, Motor Vehicle Code, Welfare Institutions Code, and Business and Professions Code and procedures and techniques for dealing with the public tactfully; effective customer service techniques.


Ability to:

Effectively communicate with and obtain information from upset and/or irate citizens and remain calm in receiving urgent calls, reciting facts and details, and providing instructions within emergency situations; speak to callers courteously and tactfully; accurately and simultaneously monitor the status of multiple calls and units; simultaneously operate a variety of telecommunications and computer equipment such as the CAD system, computer equipment, telephones, radio transmitters, and teletype equipment; type at the net rate of 45 words per minute; spell correctly; learn the geography and the location of streets, landmarks and public and private facilities in and around the City of Buena Park; learn and apply police records management practices and procedures; understand and carry out oral and written directions; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, management, public safety dispatchers from other law enforcement agencies, and the general public.


PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is constantly required to sit and occasionally stand and walk within work areas.
At the communications console, the employee is expected to lean, turn, and twist to reach console resources and reference manuals.
The employee is expected to use fingers to operate computer keyboard and lightly grasp microphone and to reach above and below shoulder to access camera controls and resource books.
The employee occasionally bends, kneels, and uses feet to operate radio microphone and console.
The employee must be able to talk and hear when communicating with the general public, law enforcement personnel, and city staff.


Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.


Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee must be able to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; interpret policies and procedures; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with upset callers, including victims and witnesses in emergency situations, reporting potential crimes and requesting emergency care, working with city staff, law enforcement personnel, and the general public in handling non-emergency calls.


WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee regularly works in an office environment; the noise level is moderately quiet, at or below 85 decibels, and the noise volume is occasionally louder when multiple calls are being handled.
The employee needs to monitor multiple frequencies and communications by radio, telephone, and the communications console, as well as alarms and security cameras.


EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE

High School graduation or G.E.D.
equivalent is required.
One year of public communications, clerical or related dispatch experience is required.
Must be currently working as a dispatcher in a Law Enforcement Agency.


LICENSES/CERTIFICATES/SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Satisfactory completion of the P.O.S.T.
Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course and possess a P.O.S.T.
Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course Certificate at time of assignment.


Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, days, mid-night shifts, holidays and weekends, and to work overtime as required.


Must have typing skills of 45 wpm.
An original typing certificate predated up to one year, must be submitted along with the completed application.
The typing certificate must be for 45 wpm net (after errors) on a 5-minute timed test.


Acceptable typing certificates must meet all of the following requirements:

A five (5) minute timed test including the gross speed and number of errors (gross speed - errors = net speed).
Certification must be in writing and test taken within 12 months of submission to the Buena Park Human Resources Office.
Certification must be verifiable and include a valid administrator's name, signature, address and telephone number.
A SELF-ADMINISTERED TYPING TEST THAT IS TAKEN OVER THE INTERNET OR ANY OTHER SELF-ADMINISTERED TEST WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
A copy of the certification must be submitted with your official City application.
You must submit the certificate in order to be considered for the position.


For suggested locations and more information about the requirements, please

APPLICANT INFORMATION/EXAM WEIGHT Tentative Schedule (dates subject to change) Mandatory Meeting

Tentatively scheduled for the week of October 14, 2024

Oral Interviews - 40%:

Tentatively scheduled for October 29, 2024

Sit-Along Evaluation - 60%:

Tentatively scheduled for the second week of November 2024

Applicants must submit a City application online through the Human Resources Department web page at Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City employment application.


All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process.
The selection process may include but is not limited to an oral interview and/or written exams, oral presentations and a "Sit Along" exercise.
Successful candidates will be placed on the employment eligible list from which hires may be made.
An eligible list is valid for up to one year unless exhausted sooner.


The City of Buena Park is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.


Americans with Disabilities:

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources.
If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at (714) 562-3515 no later than 5 business days before the test date.


Fingerprinting:
Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement processing period.
All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof.


Physical Examination:

Employment offers are conditional based, upon the successful completion of a medical examination which may include drug and alcohol screening.
Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense.


Below is a list of key benefits offered to employees of the City of Buena Park and is only a summary of benefits.
They are not intended to replace or modify the legal plan documents on file in the Human Resources Department.


SALARY RANGE: Composed of six (6) steps - Entry step through E step (Except management positions).
Each step represents an increase of approximately five (5) percent.


RETIREMENT: Provided through California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
Employee pays member contribution.


VACATION: Earned at the rate of ten (10) working days per year for the first five (5) years of service.
Public safety employees receive a different but equivalent benefit.
Additional vacation may be earned by employees after five (5) years of service.


SICK LEAVE: Accumulated on the basis of eight (8) hours per month with no maximum accumulation.


HOLIDAYS: An average of eleven (11) holidays per year.


MEDICAL INSURANCE: Several plans (indemnity and HMO's) are available.
The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium according to the bargaining unit agreement.


DENTAL INSURANCE: Three (3) plans are available.
The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium.
The Employee may pay a portion of the insurance premium according at bargaining unit agreement and this benefit is voluntary.


VISION INSURANCE: One plan is available.
The Employee pays the insurance premium and this benefit is voluntary.


LIFE INSURANCE: Amount of coverage is based on the employee bargaining unit.
Premiums are fully paid by the City.


LONG TERM DISABILITY: Fully paid by the City.
Police sworn personnel are not eligible.


EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Available to all City employees and their immediate families.


DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: The City offers one (1) plan administered by Nationwide Retirement Solutions.
This is a voluntary benefit with no City contribution.


WORK SCHEDULE: 4/10 or 3/12 alternative work schedule depending upon the work location.


OC CREDIT UNION: Available to all City employees and their families.


CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE: $100 per month, per child, is available to all Full-Time City employees with eligible dependents 0 - 5 years of age.


01

To better evaluate your qualifications for this position, responses to this supplemental questionnaire are required.
The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to continue in the selection process.
An incomplete and inaccurate application may lead to disqualification.
It is your responsibility to fill out the application thoroughly and accurately.
Resumes will not be accepted instead of completing these questions.
Please provide concise, descriptive, and detailed information when answering the questions.
If you do not have experience, please write "NONE".
NOTE: 'See resume', 'See above', or copy and paste of your resume are not considered qualifying responses and will not be considered when evaluating your qualifications.
I acknowledge receipt of this information and understand the instructions.

02

Employees who become department employees on or after January 1, 1987, shall, as a condition of their continued employment, refrain from smoking tobacco or any other non-tobacco substance at any time on or off duty.
Do you understand that violation of this condition of employment shall be deemed good cause for dismissal if you should be employed by the City of Buena Park?
Yes No

03

What is your highest education completed?
No Diploma High School or G.E.D. Some College - 59 units or less Some College - more than 60 units Associate's Degree Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree

04

Are you able to work rotating shifts, including nights, days and mid-night shifts, holidays, and weekends, and to work overtime as required?
Yes No

05

How many years experience do you have working for a law enforcement agency?
No Experience Less than 1 year experience 1 to less than 2 years experience 2 to less than 3 years experience 3 to less than 4 years experience 4 to less than 5 years experience 5 years or more experience

06

How many years experience do you have in public communications and/or public safety dispatch?
No experience Less than 6 months experience 6 months to less than 1 year experience 1 to less than 2 years experience 2 to less than 3 years experience 3 to less than 4 years experience 4 to less than 5 years experience 5 years or more experience

07

Do you hold certification as a P.O.S.T.
Public Safety Dispatcher?
Yes No

08

Dispatchers must have the ability to constantly sit, lean, turn, and twist, as well as use feet to operate foot pedals for radio microphone, hands and fingers to operate computer keyboards and multiple mice, and reach above and below shoulder to access camera controls and resource books.
I understand the needs and am able to meet the physical demands of this job classification. I am unable to meet the physical demands of this job classification.

09

Dispatchers must be able to hear and understand sound sources like radio traffic, ringing telephones, and alarm tones while speaking on radio communication equipment or on the telephone, while wearing a communications headset (i.e., the ability to hear sound sources outside and coming through the headset; ability to hear out of both ears).
I understand the needs and am able to meet the hearing demands of this job classification. I am unable to meet the hearing demands of this job classification.

10

Dispatchers must be able to read and distinguish colors on computer display monitors.
I understand the needs and am able to meet the vision demands of this job classification. I am unable to meet the vision demands of this job classification.

11

This position requires typing skills of a minimum 45 wpm net (after errors) on a 5-minute timed test.
Please tell us your typing speed.
Fill in the blank:words per minute (wpm).


Required Question