Public Safety Dispatcher - Lateral

Overview

PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER - LATERAL
, Regular Full Time Employment Opportunity.

A complete application packet will consist of a City of Sunnyvale employment application, responses to the required supplemental questions, and a current (dated within one year of application) typing certificate verifying 35 or more net words per minute. Online OR in-person typing tests are accepted. This recruitment may close without notice.

For information on obtaining and submitting a typing certificate, contact the Human Resources front desk at  or via email to

Under general supervision of the Senior Public Safety Dispatcher, processes emergency and non-emergency calls for service; dispatches police, fire, medical, rescue, animal control or other emergency equipment by telephone or radio, utilizing computer aided dispatch systems (CAD), and performs related work as required.

The Public Safety Dispatcher is a fully qualified journey-level technical classification. It differs from the Public Safety Dispatcher-in-Training (entry level) and from the Senior Public Safety Dispatcher (supervisory).

• Answer telephone lines and 9-1-1, emergency and non-emergency requests; evaluate information, create CAD events, relay information to other jurisdictions or provide pre-arrival and post-dispatch instructions; process and prioritize calls.
• Dispatch fire, police, medical and animal control personnel and equipment on routine and emergency calls using CAD, multiple video display terminals, radio consoles, and related equipment.
• Monitor and maintain status of public safety personnel and equipment; analyze situations and take actions to ensure officer safety; may reassign fire equipment to ensure city-wide protection.
• Provide operational support for police, fire, and medical operations including warrant checks, tow requests, and facilitation of outside agency mutual aid.
• Provide Emergency Medical dispatch and Emergency Fire dispatch, including pre-arrival and post-dispatch instructions.
• Maintain familiarity with major roads, streets, areas, and facilities within the city limits.
• Maintain records of all calls and prepare reports of critical incidents; perform routine clerical work related to the assignment.
• Monitor Text to 9-1-1 and may provide dispatcher operational training.

Work is performed in a structured, often stressful environment. Requires prolonged sitting, standing, bending, and other movements; extensive use of computer equipment and multiple video displays; near/far vision and color interpretation; ability to hear and communicate clearly while processing multiple conversations. Lifting up to 10 pounds may be required. Some accommodations may be available.

Minimum qualifications may be met by:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent; AND
• Two years of experience dispatching police and/or fire services for a public safety agency using CAD systems; OR
• Successful completion of probation as a Public Safety Dispatcher-in-Training with the City of Sunnyvale.

• Call processing protocols, dispatching and emergency procedures.
• CAD tools and equipment, including CAD systems.
• Primary roads, streets, highways, major buildings and public facilities within the city.
• Emergency service response techniques; office methods, software, and equipment;
  Police and fire codes (Penal Code, Vehicle Code, Sunnyvale Municipal Code).
• Record-keeping techniques and customer service principles.

• Operate CAD with speed and accuracy to document field activity and create dispatch calls within response criteria.
• Analyze situations quickly and take actions to ensure safety.
• Enter information into CAD while receiving information by phone or radio; extract data from multiple video displays.
• Apply standard dispatch policies and procedures; memorize street names; type at least 35 net words per minute.
• Maintain composure under pressure; handle multiple conversations; use word processing and office software; follow written and oral instructions; communicate effectively; establish positive working relationships; exercise initiative and good judgment; work independently and in a team; observe safety principles.

Work any shift, on any day, including irregular hours on short notice. Complete Fire and Medical certification courses within one year of appointment, or per management extension. Wear a uniform.

• Valid California Class C driver’s license or approved alternative with safe driving record.
• POST Basic Dispatch certificate within one year of appointment.
• Emergency Medical and Fire Dispatch certifications within one year of appointment and ongoing maintenance.

• Emergency Fire Dispatch and Emergency Medical Dispatch certification at hire.
• POST Dispatch certificate.

Submit a complete application with supplemental responses and a current typing certificate (35 net words per minute; online tests…