Public Safety Communicator/911 Dispatcher (Lateral)

Salary : $96,962.04 - $136,435.44 Annually

Location : CA 95020, CA

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : FY 24 / 25 -00009

Department : Police

Opening Date : 08 / 13 / 2024

ABOUT THE POSITION

The City of Gilroy is recruiting for the full-time position Public Safety Communicator in the Police Department. This recruitment is for the lateral position requiring two and one-half years of public safety dispatching work experience. The general goal of the Communications Unit is to provide 24 hour emergency communication response for all police, fire, and medical emergency calls for service in a courteous and professional manner.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION :

Under the direct supervision of the Communications Supervisor and under the functional supervision of the Watch Commander, answer emergency and routine calls from the public for Police, Fire, and medical assistance and general service and dispatch necessary personnel and equipment, perform other related duties as required. Work shifts including weekends, holidays, nights and evening hours.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL :

• Have strong prior experience serving as a 911 dispatcher for a busy community.
• Have experience dispatching both police and fire personnel to calls for service.
• Have a heart for public service with the ability to use compassion and empathy with callers when appropriate and needed.
• Have experience handling complex and challenging calls for service.
• Be skilled in handling difficult calls in a calm and professional manner.
• Have excellent interpersonal and professional customer service skills.
• Have superb listening skills and the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Be adaptable to changing situations; work well under pressure, and be comfortable making quick or critical decisions.
• Possess strong multi-tasking skills.
• Be proficient with computers and with the use of software and technology, including systems specific to public safety services.
• Have participated in "sit-alongs" with the City of Gilroy Police Department Communications Unit.
• Have a willingness to learn and improve on skills and be receptive of constructive feedback.
• Receive telephone complaints concerning crimes, fires, medical emergencies, public works calls, and other requests.
• Promptly and courteously obtain pertinent information regarding the calls for service utilizing proper radio / telephone etiquette.
• Determine the priority and promptly dispatches appropriate Police, Fire and other units.
• Maintain complete and accurate written / typed records of all calls for service and all pertinent radio transmissions.
• Operate teletype, computer and recording equipment and perform minor daily maintenance of equipment.
• Maintain up-to-date operating manuals, procedure manuals and training guides.
• Process requests for warrants and record checks on persons and property; Interpret information to be returned.
• Make computer entries.
• Participate in training programs and utilizes acquired knowledge.
• May train other unit members.
• Perform other related work as required.
• Graduation from high school or the equivalent (ie. GED).
• Two and one-half years of work experience with a public safety agency performing 911 dispatching functions utilizing a computer-aided dispatching system.
• Successful completion of the City of Gilroy's Public Safety Communicator training program while hired as a Public Safety Communicator Trainee can substitute for up to two years of the required experience noted above in #2.
• Possession of a State of California P.O.S.T. Dispatching Certificate or must obtain certification within one year of hire.
• Computer keyboarding at the rate of 35 net words per minute.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Driver License and a safe driving record necessary to operate assigned vehicle(s).
• Pass a post-offer psychological evaluation and a medical examination, which includes a drug test.
• Pass a P.O.S.T. background investigation, which includes a polygraph examination, an extensive Department of Justice criminal record check, and an FBI clearance.
• Prefer non-tobacco user.
• Prefer bilingual (English / Spanish).
• Must be willing to work weekends, various shifts, and holidays.

APPLICATION PROCESS

If you are interested in pursuing this exciting career opportunity, please attach and submit the following required items with your electronic NEOGOV application :

City Application Form - Candidates must complete the NEOGOV City of Gilroy application form for this position and submit on line. Please prepare attachments prior to completion of the NEOGOV application as incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Apply Online : Go to You can apply online by clicking on the job title you are interested in and clicking on the "Apply" link. After viewing the Job Description, click the 'Apply' tab. If this is the first time you are applying using our online job application, you will need to create an account and select a Username and Password. After your account has been established, you can import your resume from LinkedIn, upload it from a saved document on your computer, or manually enter your personal information. This application will be saved and used to apply for future job openings.

Process Timeline

This position is open until filled; applications will be reviewed periodically and interviews may be scheduled at any time.

Only complete application packets will be reviewed. Only the most qualified applicants with the most relevant experience and education will be invited to continue in the selection process. In addition, final candidates for the position are required to pass a detailed P.O.S.T. background check, State of California Department of Justice criminal records check, P.O.S.T. medical evaluation, and drug screen, given at the City's expense, prior to appointment. If special accommodations are necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department right away 408-846-0228.

Attention : Communication regarding your status in this recruitment process will be conducted via e-mail. Be sure to include an e-mail address on the employment application. Applicants are responsible for notifying Human Resources of any changes to an e-mail address and / or other contact information.

THE CITY OF GILROY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND SUPPORTS WORKFORCE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING. JOIN OUR TEAM!

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Persons appointed to this position on a full-time basis will receive the following benefits :

Health Allowance and Flexible Benefits Plan

Depending upon the number of dependents the health allowance ranges from $939.36 to $2,480.68 per month for core health benefits. Subject to specific rules, a cash back program is also available with proof of other medical coverage. City employees participate in the PERS Health Program, and may choose their medical coverage from a variety of providers. The City's flexible benefits plan includes medical and dental coverage as core benefits. A range of optional benefits including vision care, medical and dependent care accounts are also available. A term life insurance policy equal to $100,000 as of July 1, 2017 per MOU, long-term disability plan, and an employee assistance plan are currently provided at City expense.

Other Benefits

The City currently offers the PERS 2.5% at 55 pension plan for "classic" members and 2% at 62 for "new" members. Currently, the city pays the full employer portion of the retirement contribution for "classic" members and 50% of the total normal cost for "new" members. The "classic" member contribution of 8% is a pre-tax payroll deduction; "new" members shall pay 50% of the total normal cost as set by CalPERS. Anyone hired on or after January 1, 2013 will be subject to the applicable provisions, retirement formulas, and plan benefits / restrictions associated with the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013.

Vacation, Sick Leave, H oliday Pay, and Shift Differential Pay

Annual vacation ranges from two to four weeks per year, based on years of City of Gilroy service. Employees accrue eight hours of sick leave each month. Employees receive 20 hours of personal leave time in July of each fiscal year which must be used during the fiscal year (pro-rated based on hire date), and 6.6% of base salary as holiday pay in lieu of holidays off. Dependent upon assigned work hours, shift differential pay may apply.

Bilingual Pay, Uniform Allowance

Employees who are bilingual in Spanish / English may receive 5% bilingual pay following testing. Employees receive a monthly uniform allowance of $41.67 towards the purchase of required uniforms, and newly hired employees receive an initial uniform allowance of $250.00.

Medicare / Social Security

Employees participate in Medicare (1.45% for both the employer and employee) as this is a mandated federal program. City of Gilroy does not participate in Social Security.

Payroll

All City employees are paid monthly, on the first business day of each month for the prior calendar month via direct deposit.

Representation

Persons appointed to this position on a full-time basis are covered by the AFSCME General Unit Memorandum of Understanding and Supplemental Agreements.

The supplemental information that you provide will be evaluated along with your completed application. This includes the required documents (i.e. cover letter, resume, or certifications) and responses to the supplemental questions below. Some questions may include multiple parts (i.e., (a), (b), (c), (d), etc.). Please make sure to address each part of the question in your answers.Responses to the supplemental questions that indicate, "see resume" are considered incomplete. The information you provide will be used to further identify those applicants who are best qualified to continue in the selection process for this position.Note : Failure to provide all of the required documents will result in the application being rejected as incomplete. Please refer to the "Application Process" section of the job announcement for required documents.By checking the 'Yes' response below, I indicate that I have read these instructions under "Application Process" for submitting a complete application and have attached all the required documents. I understand that written responses to the supplemental questions along with attachments as noted in the job announcement are required in order to evaluate my qualifications for this position and for my application to be considered complete.

Do you have at least two and one-half years of public safety dispatching work experience?If your answer is "no" then you should apply under the Public Safety Communicator Trainee recruitment process.

Please describe in detail your work experience with a public safety agency performing 911 dispatching functions utilizing a computer-aided dispatching system.

Describe the type / brand of computer aided dispatching equipment you utilize currently or have utilized in the past.

Please indicate your current net words per minute key boarding speed. (Please note : final candidates will be tested on keyboarding speed.)

Are you able to work all shifts (days, swings, and graveyard), all days of the week, and holidays? Please describe any conflicts you may have with your work schedule, if any.

Please share why you would like to work for the Gilroy Police Department versus any other agency.

Interviews for Lateral candidates may be scheduled at any time. Please identify the best days of the week and times for your interview process. When possible, we will do our best to accommodate your schedule.

Required Question

Salary : $96,962 - $136,435