Communications Dispatcher I/II (20565638)

The City of Burlingame is accepting applications for the position of Communications Dispatcher I/II

This application is for Full-Time employment only.

Our diverse family of employees welcomes you to apply. We are a small city that gets a lot done, and each member of our team is vital to our success as an organization.

We recently asked our employees what they enjoyed most about working for the City of Burlingame, and their responses fell into five general categories:

• Colleagues
• Community
• Location
• The Work
• The Benefits

Browse the Burlingame Welcome Brochure for more information about why employees love working here or view our City of Burlingame is a Great Place to Work Video:

Welcome Brochure


City of Burlingame is a Great Place to Work Video


For more detailed information regarding the required qualifications and important and essential duties of the position, please review the Communications Dispatcher I/II job description.

Job Description URL:

https://www.burlingame.org/DocumentCenter/View/981/Communications-Dispatcher-I-I...

Ideal Candidate

The City of Burlingame Police Department is seeking an enthusiastic, flexible, and service-oriented individual to join our Communications Dispatch team. This is a fantastic career opportunity to work in a small department and play a significant role in all aspects of Communications.

Under direction of the Police Services Manager, to receive incoming calls for police and fire assistance for a number of local jurisdictions and dispatch necessary units using a computer aided dispatch system, processing and prioritizing incoming calls for emergency assistance.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Receive 911 and emergency calls from the public requesting police, fire, ambulance, or other emergency service. Determine nature, location and priority or emergency; dispatch police, fire ambulance or other emergency units through computer aided data terminals in accordance with established procedures. Answer non-emergency calls for assistance and public works emergency services. Or contact appropriate public safety agencies who provide emergency services within the County of San Mateo. Process and maintain a variety of departmental reports, records, and files; and keeps accurate statistics. Comprehend, interpret, relay and document information via telephone, computer software/data terminals or other related technology. Enter, update and retrieve information from teletype networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information. Coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving the sheriff’s department, ambulance, fire equipment, and departments in other areas. Provide routine information to the public via telephone and in person; coordinate county-wide road blocks with other departments during major crime incidents; contact agencies outside the county regarding suspect information; may testify in court regarding activities leading to legal proceedings. Dispatcher II may assist in training Dispatcher I.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Communications Dispatcher I: Receives supervision from the Police Services Manager or senior or lead dispatcher as necessary, either of whom may also direct technical and functional supervision to new dispatchers. This is an entry level class in the dispatcher series. It is distinguished from the Dispatcher II in that incumbents in Dispatcher II are trainers in department policies, procedures, and systems.

Communications Dispatcher II: This is a journey level class within the dispatcher series. Supervision is received from the Police Services Manager or senior or lead dispatcher. Employees within this class are distinguished from Dispatcher I by the greater independence with which an incumbent is expected to operate. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operation procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the class of Dispatcher I. Appointments to the class of Dispatcher II requires that the employee be performing the full range of duties assigned to the class.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, abilities and skills as well as able to pass a thorough background investigation, polygraph, and psychological screening. Be willing and able to work Day, Swing and Midnight shifts. Be willing and able to work weekends and holidays. Be willing and able to work mandatory overtime.

KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES/SKILLS (The following are a sample of the knowledge/abilities and skills necessary for this position.)

Knowledge of:

Communications Dispatcher I: English usage including spelling, grammar, and punctuation; modern office procedures and methods.

Communications Dispatcher II: In addition to the qualifications for Dispatcher I, thorough knowledge of Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) equipment; public safety classification codes and computer commands.

Ability to:

Communications Dispatcher I: Learn to operate and use standard radio and telephone receiving and transmitting equipment; learn department procedures and policies pertaining to the dispatching of city emergency equipment; learn to operate a sophisticated computer aided dispatch system; learn to operate, retain and use geographic features and streets within the area served; learn to effectively elicit information from citizens; learn to follow oral and written instructions; learn, retain, and use public safety classification codes and computer commands.

Communications Dispatcher II: Determine the nature, location, and priority of an emergency; coordinate the response of police, fire, ambulance or other emergency units through CAD data terminals in accordance with established procedures. Assist in training new employees. Type at a speed necessary for adequate job performance. Operate a sophisticated computer aided dispatch system with speed and accuracy; operate a computer aided dispatch data terminal with speed and accuracy; operate other equipment, computers, fax, and copy machine with speed and accuracy.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Communications Dispatcher I: Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is a minimum one year experience receiving and processing calls while involved in performing multiple tasks simultaneously; CAD experience is highly desirable. The equivalent to completion of high school or a GED is required.

Communications Dispatcher II: Sufficient knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the above duties. Typically, this would be one or more years of satisfactory experience as a Communications Dispatcher I with the City of Burlingame.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Work under pressure, exercising good judgment and common sense while making sound decisions in emergency situations; communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; stay calm in emergency situations; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with citizens, peers, police officers, employees in other departments; flexibility of work hours and overtime to work various shifts as assigned; stamina, willingness and endurance for sedentary console operation and dispatching.

Ability to reach all consoles and other equipment including computers, monitors, keyboards, phones, hear alarms, radios and phones; demonstrate sufficient calm, emotional stability, see console screen and TV monitor; sit for long periods of time, several hours at a time.

Benefits

• Retirement: CalPERS 2.5% at 55 for Classic members and 2.0% at 62 for New members; Classic members contribute 1.5% of the City’s contribution to CalPERS retirement via payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis
• Health Insurance: Choice of CalPERS Medical plans. City contribution depends on coverage level: Up to the third highest plan rate for employee only and employee plus one, and up to the Kaiser family rate for employee plus two or more
• City contribution to Retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Dental (choice of three plans) and Vision for employee and dependents
• Term life and AD&D insurance policy in the amount of $50,000
• Vacation leave of 10 days for the first 4 years and increases with years of service
• Fourteen paid holidays per year
• Sick Leave: 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation: City contributes $45 per pay period matching contribution to a 457 plan
• Section 125 Flex Benefit: Un-reimbursed Medical and Child Care
• Transportation Incentive Program
• Reduced fee for City Recreation fitness classes
• Employee Assistance Program

Special Instructions

APPLICATION PROCESS

This recruitment will be open until filled. It may close at any time or upon receipt of the first 100 applications.

Interested candidates must submit a completed online employment application. Resumes are highly desirable, but a resume in lieu of a completed application will not be accepted.

SELECTION PROCESS

All applications will be reviewed for relevant education, experience, training and other job related qualifications. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee that a candidate will be invited to participate in the selection process. Based upon a review of employment applications, supplemental questionnaires, and resumes received, a limited number of the qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the examination process.

The process will consist of an Oral Panel Interview. An eligibility list will be established from those who pass the examination process with a score of 70% or higher. Current and future vacancies may be filled from this list. The list will remain in effect for at least one year unless abolished sooner.

The department will invite the most qualified candidates from the eligibility list to a final department interview. The Police Chief will make the final appointment.

Note: The City of Burlingame reserves the right, at its discretion, to limit the number of qualified candidates invited to the selection process.

PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT

Candidates will be required to:

• pass a thorough background investigation, polygraph and psychological screening.
• comply with The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 new employees are required to provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States at date of hire.
• present an original social security card.

This position has a 12 month probationary period from the date of hire. Whereby, the selected candidate must receive a rating of no less than 'satisfactory' at the end of the probationary period to continue forward with employment. During the 12 month probationary period, the selected candidate can be terminated with, or without cause.

The City of Burlingame is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or national origin in its employment actions, decisions, policies, and practices. The duties described in this job announcement 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 position. This job announcement does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Closing Date/Time: Until filled or until 100 applicants

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• City of Burlingame

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