What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dispatcher - Entry Level position at City of Elk Grove, CA?
Description/Special Instructions
The City of Elk Grove Police Department is now accepting applications for the position of
PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER - ENTRY LEVEL
Are you looking for a new and exciting career? The City of Elk Grove Police Department is seeking highly motivated individuals with the ability to multi-task for an opportunity to create a challenging and gratifying career as a Dispatcher. The ideal candidate values our diverse community and provides quality, efficient services in both routine and emergency situations.
What's the best part? Prior Dispatch experience is not required for this position, and on-the-job training will be provided! Oh, and did you see those benefits?
Why wait? Join Team Elk Grove Today!
Tentative Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)
Filing Deadline: April 21, 2024, at 11:59pm
Exam Period: April 25 - 29, 2024 (online, please plan accordingly)
Oral Board Interviews: May 07 - 09, 2024 (In Person)
Attend an optional In-person Q&A Session to learn more about the Dispatcher position (optional, but highly recommended)
The department will be hosting optional Q&A sessions for all candidates that successfully pass the Criticall test. These sessions are tentatively scheduled for May 1, 2024, at 6:00 pm and May 4, 2024, at 10:00 am and will be held in-person. While attendance is optional, it is strongly encouraged for candidates to attend these sessions to understand what the job entails. The session will be held on these days only and no makeup sessions will be offered. This will provide you with an opportunity to receive a realistic overview of the position to ensure this is the right job for you.
The City offers a competitive salary and generous benefit package including CalPERS retirement benefits, a deferred compensation match and more. Why work for the City of Elk Grove? Proud Heritage. Bright Future.
Community Profile
Elk Grove is a vibrant, family-friendly community of approximately 178,124 people in the Sacramento, California region, located 14 miles south of the State Capital and 60 miles east of the Bay Area. Elk Grove is a young, ethnically diverse, modern city that was incorporated in 2000. Elk Grove has low crime, excellent schools, over 100 community parks and 28 miles of trails, plentiful dining and shopping options, numerous annual events and festivals, and over 270 sunny days per year.
Representative Duties
The job incumbent, under general supervision, performs a variety of duties involved in receiving, evaluating, prioritizing, and relaying 9-1-1, emergency, and non-emergency calls for service; inputs calls into a computer system; dispatches appropriate units and coordinates response of emergency personnel; operates a variety of telecommunications equipment including radio, telephone, and computer aided dispatch systems; and performs a wide variety of specialized clerical duties involved in the preparation, maintenance, and release of materials related to law enforcement activities.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Dispatcher – Entry Level: Incumbents of this class receive training in department policies, procedures and specialized computer systems through an on-the-job training program. Generally, the assigned Dispatch Trainer demonstrates skills/tasks while providing instruction and evaluating the trainee’s ability to apply instruction received in a variety of working situations. Typically, the training period will last in excess of six months and may also include classroom instruction. While a background in similar tasks/duties may be helpful to the incumbent, direct experience in a police dispatch related environment is not necessary.
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
- Receives, classifies, and prioritizes all incoming calls and texts to the dispatch center including 9-1-1 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 9-1-1 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; 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 and interprets 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, , driver license and vehicle registration information, and warrants on wanted persons; composes and transmits messages to other agencies.
- Enters and removes data and information from various local, statewide, and national law enforcement computer systems including the Records Management System (RMS), Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), and National Crime Information Center (NCIC); provides support to officers by gathering information from various computer systems including DMV, CLETS, and the County’s KPF system.
- Monitors public security cameras and alarms for City facilities, parking lots, and related facilities.
- Performs related duties as required.
Qualifications
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
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.
- Radio codes currently used by the Elk Grove Police Department.
- 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.
- 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 and enter data accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
- 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.
Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
Experience:
One (1) year of work experience involving public contact.
License or Certificate:
- Criticall Test: Must pass an online Criticall test with at least 3400 KPH (keystrokes per hour), an 85% overall score, and also meet the pre-established cut-off score for each tested dimension.
Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
Incumbent will need to pass a background investigation which may include a polygraph, psychological and medical evaluation.
Entry Level Dispatchers must serve an 18-month probationary period.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Work is performed in an emergency services dispatch center setting with extensive public contact; incumbents are required to work evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts; incumbents may be called back or held over to maintain staffing levels.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an emergency dispatch center setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
The City of Elk Grove is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (916) 478- 2230. The information above is subject to change without notice.
CITY OF ELK GROVE
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SUMMARY
Elk Grove Police Officers Association (EGPOA) – Non Sworn
Elk Grove Police Officers Association (EGPOA) – Non Sworn
Annual Leave (vacation/sick)
0-4 years of service 176 hours 6.77 hours per pay period 5-9 years of service 216 hours 8.31 hours per pay period
10-14 years of service 232 hours 8.92 per pay period
15-19 years of service 256 hours 9.85 hours per pay period
20 years of service 272 hours 10.46 hours per pay period
Deferred Compensation
Employee may participate in a 457 deferred compensation plan up to maximum allowed by law.
Deferred Compensation - City Match
The City will match up to 2% or 4% of employee's salary depending on the membership status with CalPERS.Employee Assistance Program
Available to employees and immediate family.
Flexible Spending Account
Covers IRS approved medical and/or approved dependent care expenses to be paid on a pre-tax basis.- Medical spending up to $3200.00 annually.
- Dependent care up to $5,000 annually.
- Adoption Assistance FSA up to $16,810 annually.
Health (Medical) Insurance
The City participates in the CalPERS Health Plan (PEMHCA) and offers a "cafeteria plan," which includes a monthly City contribution that an employee may apply toward premiums for medical insurance.
The City's Contribution rates for the 2024 plan year are as follows:
Single: up to $919.27 per month
2-Party: up to $1,838.54 per month
Family: up to $2,390.10 per month
Employees who show evidence of other group health insurance coverage and waive enrollment in a CalPERS health plan shall receive a taxable in lieu cash fringe allowance of $300 per month.
The City's Contribution rates for the 2024 plan year are as follows:
Single: up to $919.27 per month
2-Party: up to $1,838.54 per month
Family: up to $2,390.10 per month
Employees who show evidence of other group health insurance coverage and waive enrollment in a CalPERS health plan shall receive a taxable in lieu cash fringe allowance of $300 per month.
Dental Insurance
100% City paid for employee and eligible dependents if enrolled in the City's medical plan.
Vision Insurance
100% City paid for employee and eligible dependents if enrolled in the City's medical plan.
100% City paid for employee and eligible dependents if enrolled in the City's medical plan.
Vision Insurance
100% City paid for employee and eligible dependents if enrolled in the City's medical plan.
Pet Insurance
City employees are eligible to purchase pet insurance at a discounted premium rate through MetLife.
Retirement Health Savings Account
City provided defined contribution program for IRS-eligible medical expenses upon retirement,
Holidays
Employees who are not assigned by the Police Chief to work shifts shall receive eleven (11) paid holidays per year and sixteen(16) hours of floating holiday every fiscal year.Life Insurance
City provides Life insurance at 1X base salary with a minimum of $50,000 and maximum of $300,000. Additional life insurance may be purchased by employee up to a maximum of $500,000.
Military Leave
The City will pay qualified employees any difference between his/her base salary and the amount received in military reserve pay for regularly scheduled annual training that requires the employee to take military leave from his/her regular work week.
Retirement (CalPERS)
Your CalPERS Pension formula will be dependent upon your hire date with the City of Elk Grove and/or your status with any Public Retirement System.
- 2.7% at 55 if hired before 8/12/12.
- 2% at 55 if hired after 8/12/12 and a current Classic member of CalPERS.
- 2% at 62 if hired after 1/1/13 and not a Classic member of CalPERS.
Short Term/Long Term Disability
- The City provides Short-Term Disability coverage @ 66.67% of income, up to a maximum benefit of $2,300 per week and Long-Term Disability coverage @ 66.67% of income, up to a maximum benefit of $15,000 per month.
- The City also provides Paid Family Leave coverage @ 60-70% of weekly earnings up to a maximum of $,1623 per week.
Social Security
City employees do not currently participate in the Social Security program. City offers an IRS qualifying retirement plan.
Tuition Reimbursement
Tuition Reimbursement
80% up to $2,500/year for undergraduate studies
80% up to $3,500/year for graduate studies
80% up to $3,500/year for graduate studies
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