Technician II - Police Dispatcher - City of Lancaster : Job Details

Closing Date: Once the Position is FilledPosition: Technician II-Police Dispatcher Department: Public SafetyHourly Range: $32.69-$41.72Classification: Full-Time Non-Exempt-Overtime Eligible Position Overview:The City of Lancaster Police Department is seeking dedicated and skilled Police Dispatchers to join our team. As a Police Dispatcher, you will play a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our community by effectively dispatching various services, including police, fire, and medical personnel, and providing crucial support in emergency and non-emergency situations. We are seeking experienced Public Safety Dispatchers, however, entry-level applicants with other experience working for law enforcement agencies in other fields may be considered. General Summary:We are seeking individuals with a passion for public safety and effective communication skills to join our fast-paced Police department providing essential and impactful service to our community. The ideal candidate should be committed, conscientious, and motivated to help people and provide excellent customer service to both external and internal customers. Some duties include, but are not limited to:

• Operates radio, automated telephone, and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems to receive and transmit non-emergency and emergency calls from the public.
• Evaluate, prioritize, and sequence incoming information and determine the number and type of units to send to an incident; determine the nature and priority of calls and/or transfer calls to the appropriate agency.
• Dispatches police personnel and equipment to incidents according to established procedures.
• Maintains radio contact with police units on assignments; notifies other departments of needed support services.
• Monitors the status of police units and their locations.
• Monitors radio frequencies for mutual aid.
• Keeps appropriate supervisory personnel informed of the situation and dispatches additional personnel and equipment as directed.
• Notifies other jurisdictions when necessary.
• Responds to field unit requests via radio or telephone for information, tow truck, paramedic/fire department, animal control, and notification of hospitals or other law enforcement agencies.
• Performs inquiries via CLETS, DOJ, National Crime Information Center, FBI, and Stolen Vehicle Systems.
• Receives, enters, and relays situational information such as suspect descriptions, location updates, and other responders in the area to field units.
• Notifies other agencies and departments by telephone or radio to coordinate activities.
• Testifies in court as necessary.
• Enters, maintains, retrieves, and interprets data in police department computer systems (e.g., Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System).
• May perform emergency call-out dispatch duties for several municipal entities, such as Public Works, Code Enforcement, etc.
• Trains new Police Dispatchers and provides daily and weekly input on progress and performance to supervisors as needed.
• Collaborate with other emergency service agencies, such as the Sheriff's Department, fire and medical personnel, to facilitate efficient emergency response operations.
• Performs related administrative /clerical work as needed.
• May work on a rotating schedule, which may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed to ensure 24/7 coverage.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent (associate or bachelor's degree preferred).
• Previous experience as a dispatcher or in a law enforcement-related field is highly desirable.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Peace Officer's Standards and Training (POST) Basic Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate within one year of employment.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to handle high-stress situations calmly and efficiently.
• Proficient computer skills and the ability to learn and use specialized dispatch software.
• Ability to operate radio equipment and speak English in a clear and understandable manner
• Knowledge of law enforcement procedures and protocols (training will be provided).
• Excellent multitasking and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and follow departmental policies and procedures.
• Must pass a comprehensive background check and drug screening.

Special Requirements

• Successful completion of the state-mandated CLETS training program as required by the California State Department of Justice within six months of the date of employment and ongoing maintenance of CLETS certification.

• A California POST Basic Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate must be obtained within the first year of employment and maintained as a condition of continued employment.

• Must type 45 words per minute with 95% accuracy.Applicants shall provide a Typing Test Certificate. Test and certificate may be obtained from an online provider.

• Successful completion of a comprehensive background investigation is required which may include a review of employment history, criminal conviction record, credit history, use of intoxicants and/or other controlled substances, and psychological evaluation.
• Available to work a flexible schedule, which may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime if needed.

Core Competencies:

• Problem Solving - Analytically and logically evaluating information
• Learning Agility - Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to work
• Handling Stress - Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Integrity & Ethics - Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Safety Focus - Showing Vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Customer Focus - Attending to the Needs and expectations of customers
• Informing - Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Teamwork - Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Valuing Diversity - Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Allocating Resources - Prioritizing the use of fiscal and material resources to maximize organizational effectiveness

Guiding Principles

Put people first.

Be visionary.

Be an ambassador for Lancaster.

Be Fiscally Responsible.

Be Creative.

Always Improving.

Be Adaptable and Resilient.

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Ascend/Descend stairs/ladders/balance (moderate)
• Position self to bend or twist (frequent)
• To move, transport, position items up to 15 lbs. (frequent)
• Exposed to outdoor weather conditions (infrequent)
• Operate Equipment (none)
• Stationary or squatting position (frequent)

Environmental Factors:

• Work under time pressure (moderate to frequent)
• Interruptions (frequent)

Essential Cognitive Functions:

• Analyze (continuous)
• Computations (frequent)
• Generate Written Work Product (moderate)
• Independent Problem Solving (continuous)
• Interruptions (frequent)
• Maintain Positive Public Relations (continuous)
• Organize (frequent)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time; The City of Lancaster will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the City of Lancaster is concerned about the conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting www.dfeh.ca.gov/fair-chance-act/ The City of Lancaster is an Equal Opportunity Employer.