What are the responsibilities and job description for the Police Dispatcher position at City of Orange?
JOIN THE ORANGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS A POLICE DISPATCHER!
For information on the City of Orange Police Department, click here.
GENERAL RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:
- If you are currently employed by a California law enforcement agency as a dispatcher and meet the Lateral Police Dispatcher candidate definition below, email Erin Hodges at ehodges@cityoforange.org to advise that you have submitted your Lateral Police Dispatcher application. The City offers a $10,000 hiring incentive for Lateral candidates: $5,000 at time of hire and $5,000 at time completion of probation! A Lateral Police Dispatcher candidate is defined as a candidate who is currently employed by a California law enforcement agency as a dispatcher and possesses a California POST Dispatcher Basic Certificate.
- If you have a California POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery T-Score of 48 or higher, attach your T-Score document to your application. Doing so may allow candidates who pass the application screening to waive the subsequent written examination step of the recruitment.
- If you have completed the California POST Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course, attach your certificate to your application.
TYPING CERTIFICATE REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION:
With the exception of Lateral Police Dispatcher candidates, all applicants must attach a Typing Certificate to their application noting a minimum of 35 WPM typing speed dated within six (6) months from the time of application submission. Failure to attach this document will result in disqualification. Online typing test certifications will not be accepted. (See the Supplemental Information section of this job posting for full details regarding the Typing Certificate requirements.)
With the exception of Lateral Police Dispatcher candidates, all applicants must attach a Typing Certificate to their application noting a minimum of 35 WPM typing speed dated within six (6) months from the time of application submission. Failure to attach this document will result in disqualification. Online typing test certifications will not be accepted. (See the Supplemental Information section of this job posting for full details regarding the Typing Certificate requirements.)
We understand that applying for employment requires a substantial amount of time and effort. Before applying for the position of Police Jailer, please click here to read the Orange Police Department's list of Automatic Employment Disqualifiers to help you determine if you are eligible to be considered for employment.
Under general supervision from higher level supervisory and management staff, Police Dispatcher duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Receive emergency calls from the public requesting police or other emergency service; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priority and dispatch emergency units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures; maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of police field units; answer non-emergency calls for assistance; answer maintenance service emergencies on weekends and holidays; coordinate emergency calls and relay information and assistance requests involving other law enforcement agencies; enter, update and retrieve information from Teletype networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles and other information; perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work; maintain a variety of logs relating to public safety activities; test and inspect equipment as required; type daily log of all field calls and units dispatched; perform related duties as assigned. Candidates must be able and willing to work rotating shifts, including, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays.
Knowledge of:
Geographic features and streets within the area served; standard radio broadcasting procedures and rules; correct English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar; modern office procedures, practices, and equipment.
Ability to:
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; work under pressure, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions in emergency situations; effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens; type accurately at a rate of 35 words per minute or faster; understand and follow oral and written instructions; learn to operate dispatch, Teletype and other office equipment; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work various shifts as assigned.
Education & Experience:
Required:
- Completion of the twelfth (12th) grade or equivalent
- Two (2) years of general work experience involving frequent interactions with the public
Highly Desirable:
- One (1) year of dispatch experience in a public safety (police and/or fire) or fast-paced setting
- One (1) year of experience operating communications equipment
- Possession of a California POST Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course certificate
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to, obtain a valid California driver's license by time of hire.
Completion of, or ability to complete as required, the California POST Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course.
Typing Certificate indicating a corrected typing speed of at least 35 wpm. Online typing certificates are not accepted. Additional information regarding the Typing Certificate is provided below. (This requirement is not applicable for Lateral Police Dispatcher candidates.)
Residency Requirement:
By date of hire, Police Department employees must be full-time residents of the State of California and reside no further than one hundred (100) road miles from Police Headquarters (1107 N. Batavia St, Orange, CA 92867).
TYPING CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS:
Typing Certificates must be a 5-minute timed typing certificate with a net typing speed (after errors) of 35 wpm or more. This certificate must be dated within six (6) months of the application date and issued by an accredited school, agency, facility, or institution. ONLINE TYPING TESTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Emailed test results from typing test websites will not be accepted. Certificates must contain the following:
- Name of official emblem of the entity that administered the exam
- Name of applicant
- Number of corrected (net) words per minute typed during a 5-minute timed test
- Date of certificate – cannot be more than six (6) months old as of the date of application submission
- Signature and title of person verifying the typing test
- Address and telephone number of the entity administering the exam
Many adult schools, community colleges, and temporary employment service agencies provide typing certificates for a fee. The City does not reimburse for costs associated with obtaining a typing certificate. It is the applicant's responsibility to find a location that offers acceptable typing tests/certificates.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds. This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the employee's physical presence at the workplace. Incumbents are assigned to a 4/10 work schedule. Must be willing and available to work various shifts on a rotating basis, including, but not limited to, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER:
All employees of the City of Orange are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be “Disaster Service Workers”. In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees’ normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.
CITY MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES:
Incumbents in all City positions are expected to exhibit the behavior characteristics reflected in the City's Mission, Vision, and Values statements in the performance of their duties: The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors. As an organization, the City of Orange is the leader in delivering the highest level of service to meet current and future needs of the community. The City's values include Teamwork, Accountability, and Excellence.
Salary : $69,192 - $92,280
