Fire Communications Dispatcher

The Emergency Command Center of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is recruiting to establish an eligibility list for future vacancies. Please review the entire recruitment announcement before applying including the schedule of events.  

This classification is scheduled for the following cost of living adjustments:  

• 2.75% increase effective May 2, 2025
• 2.54% increase effective May 1, 2026

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: 

• Recruitment Closes: Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM
• Written Exam: Week of February 3, 2025
• Performance Exam: Week of February 10, 2025
• Oral Interviews: Week of February 24, 2025
• Virtual Background Orientation: Week of March 10, 2025

CLASS SUMMARY: 

Incumbents are responsible for performing a wide variety of routine to skilled dispatch activities. Incumbents may serve as a mentor to new Dispatchers. Incumbents may be required to perform dispatching for other Public Safety Departments. Incumbents may be required to "move-up" and perform the duties of Fire Communications Supervisor as need arises. Incumbents may be required to be available for staffing, technical and operational emergencies.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: 

The Fire Communications Dispatcher is the first level in a four level emergency communications series. The Fire Communications Dispatcher is distinguished from the Fire Communications Supervisor, which has shift supervisory responsibilities. 

WORK SCHEDULE: 

Fire Communications Dispatchers currently work a twelve-hour (12) workday under a two (2) platoon schedule (A or B Shift). Hours worked in excess of forty (40) regular hours during the workweek will be calculated as overtime.

Fire Communications Dispatchers may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays depending on their assigned platoon (A or B Shift).  

(These duties are intended to be representative sample of the duties performed by the class.) 

• Receive and process emergency requests for service from the public, other agencies, and other departments, which includes: calming emotional callers; obtaining relevant information related to the emergency; providing Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) instructions; evaluating the urgency of calls; determine appropriate action to be taken; determining and dispatching appropriate personnel, apparatus, and equipment required on medical aids, structure responses, hazmat responses, multi-victim incidents, and vegetation fires; notifying supervisors of incidents; routing calls to appropriate sections; operating radio communication equipment and alarm systems; and, performing other related activities.
• Coordinate and communicate activities between agencies jointly responding to multi-agency incidents. 
• Receive and process requests from field personnel, including but not limited to, utility companies, ambulance companies, water departments, building department, Red Cross, Fish and Game Department, and/or other interested parties. 
• Operate and monitor a variety of equipment, which may include: multiple radio frequencies; computerized radio equipment; multi-channel digital recorders; instant radio playback machines; instant phone digital recall; alarm system computers; computer systems; electronic equipment; and/or other related equipment. 
• Read and interpret maps to locate emergencies, determine jurisdictions, and to dispatch nearest apparatus to expedite response times. 
• Attend and participate in after action critiques and debriefings of emergency incidents with field personnel and other staff members. 
• Participate in a variety of classes, training, and/or certification sessions. 
• Maintain and troubleshoot problems with equipment in the Command Center, which may include: headsets, chairs, radio systems, pagers, CAD terminals, and/or other related equipment. 
• Complete geofile forms and updates; enters updates and information into database and/or manual book systems; designs, maintains, and updates system software and files. 
• Troubleshoot, issues, and track inventory control logs. 
• Fulfill Emergency Command Center staffing requirements by being available to work various schedules including nights, weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (position requirements at entry): 

High School Diploma, or General Equivalency Diploma (GED); or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

HIGHLY DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS (not required): 

• At least one (1) year of experience operating Computerized Telephone Communications Systems. 
• At least one (1) year of experience operating radio systems. 
• At least one (1) year of experience ordering resources and resource allocation. 
• At least one (1) year of Public Safety Dispatch experience. 

Required prior to completion of probationary period: 

• Completion of the Emergency Medical Dispatch class and the Authority's Academy. 
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR). 

KNOWLEDGE (position requirements at entry): 

Knowledge of: 

• Customer service principles 
• City geography 
• Map reading methods 
• Standard office equipment 
• Recordkeeping principles 

SKILLS (position requirements at entry): 

Skill in: 

• Using computers and applicable software applications 
• Handling multiple tasks simultaneously 
• Keyboarding at the rate of 30 wpm 
• Maintaining records 
• Operating standard office equipment 
• Evaluating the urgency of calls and taking appropriate action 
• Operating radio communications equipment 
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Positions in this class typically require: reaching, extensive sitting, fine motor skills, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. 

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. 

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Incumbents may be subjected to poor ventilation, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, intense noise, and travel. 

Incumbents may be subjected to traveling to and from remote locations for incident assignments and may be required to stay in remote locations without accommodations.

NOTE: The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the department. 

PRE-HIRE REQUIREMENTS: 

Before an employee is hired, he/she must successfully complete pre-employment requirements including, but not limited to: fingerprinting and background check, reference check, DMV check, licensure/certification check, Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and the State of California, and proof of eligibility to work in the United States in accordance with Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986. All job offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam including a drug screen through the OCFA's designated physician.

HOW TO APPLY:  

• Online (only online applications will be accepted). 
• Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of online applications. 
• Please match your professional experience with the specific qualifications listed in the bulletin and include the areas which you have developed expertise. 
• Applicants are responsible for maintaining/updating their contact information through their accounts at www.governmentjobs.com. 
• To view the full job description, visit www.ocfa.org. 

SELECTION PROCEDURE

INITIAL SELECTION REVIEW:

Human Resources reviews all initial application materials to identify qualified applicants. Applicants meeting minimum qualifications will be invited to the first phase of the recruitment process. The OCFA reserves the right to refer only the better qualified applicants if the number of applicants is high. If the number of applicants is high, the review process may include a secondary screening (by a panel of job knowledge experts) of the applications and/or supplemental questionnaires in which the better qualified applicants are referred to the next phase of the recruitment process. Because recruitment processes vary, applicants are advised to thoroughly review the job announcement before submitting their online application materials.

TESTING:

Testing for this position or any other position may include, but is not limited to the following: written exam, practical exam, panel interview, physical ability test, assessment center, oral presentation, project assignment, etc. If a revision is made to a testing component during a recruitment process, the assigned recruiter will notify by email all affected applicants.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) ACCOMMODATION:   

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, anyone who needs an ADA accommodation for the purposes of employment testing should contact Ivonne Spagon, Human Resources Analyst II at (714) 573-6810 or Ivonnespagon@ocfa.org at least 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.  

RECRUITMENT/SELECTION PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS:   

All recruitment/selection process and requirements will be held in accordance with the OCFA's Selection Rules, which are available for inspection in the Human Resources Department.  

ELIGIBLE LIST:   

The duration of the Eligible List for this recruitment is one (1) year, unless extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director prior to the expiration.  

WITHDRAWING FROM RECRUITMENT PROCESS:   

If an applicant chooses to withdraw from this recruitment process, he/she is required to submit an email notification to Ivonne Spagon, Human Resources Analyst II at ivonnespagon@ocfa.org requesting a withdrawal from the process. The email to the recruiter must include the applicant's current phone number.  

QUESTIONS:  

All questions regarding this position should be directed to Ivonne Spagon, Human Resources Analyst II at (714) 573-6810 or ivonnespagon@ocfa.org.  

NOTE:  

The provisions of this publication do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision in this publication may be modified or revoked without notice. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: 

Salary : $66,331 - $89,398