Job Description

Public Safety Dispatcher

Are you searching for a position to become a first responder in a challenging fast-paced environment? Public Safety Dispatchers play a crucial role in supporting police and other public safety personnel by providing essential communication services on a 24/7 basis. This demanding profession requires great communication, multitasking, and data entry skills. If you are someone who stays calm and professional under pressure, values integrity and accountability, and intends on delivering exceptional service to the City of Livermore and our community, we encourage you to apply today!

Under general supervision, receives 911 system emergency and non-emergency calls; dispatches assignments according to police and fire procedures; provides support services and maintains records; and performs other duties as assigned. The Public Safety Dispatcher provides technical communications support and computer information processing for police and fire activities as well as animal control and public services functions. In addition to call taking and dispatching, incumbents perform varied record keeping, information retrieval, and similar work in support of public safety activities. Incumbents are expected to exercise independent judgment in the performance of their duties with minimum supervision.

Demonstrated knowledge of modern office practices and procedures; proper English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation; alphabetic, chronological, and numeric filing systems; effective communication techniques; community resources; map reading; and personal computer operating systems and software applications. Demonstrated skills to analyze situations quickly and make sound decisions in emergency and routine situations; demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills including communicating effectively with those contacted in the course of work; perform multiple tasks concurrently; quickly read and retain information; quickly interpret maps and floor layouts; relate effectively to co-workers; speak in a clear and understandable voice; write basic letters, memos, and reports; utilize personal computers and computer software to perform word processing and spreadsheet functions; meet the City's keyboarding standard (35 net wpm); and exemplify an enthusiastic, resourceful, and effective service attitude with co-workers and the public. Ability to learn the techniques, procedures, methods, and City dispatching codes used in the operation of a highly technical communications center; use patience, courtesy, and tact in dealing with the public; recognize and discern various emotional states when dealing with citizens in person and while on 911, emergency, and business lines; recognize the voices of field units; and quickly operate electronic data processing equipment and radio consoles.

Two years of experience involving heavy public contact while performing multiple tasks and using a computer. Equivalent to graduation from high school. College course work in communications, business administration, or a related field are desirable. Any recent training such as academic courses and certification programs which are relevant to this job classification. Possession of POST Public Safety Dispatching Certificate is required prior to the completion of the probationary period. May require the possession of a valid California driver's license and satisfactory driving record as determined by the City. Willingness and ability to work any shift in a 24 hour period, holidays, weekends, scheduled and emergency overtime, and be available for call back as required; attend classes during work and non-work hours as required; maintain the certifications necessary for this job classification; and wear a uniform and comply with departmental grooming standards. Essential duties may require the mental and/or physical ability to quickly read fine print, charts, graphs, maps, and computer monitors; see fine detail with no color deficiencies; hear and understand radio and telephone transmissions through headsets, handsets, and speakers, sometimes with interference, static, and background noises, such as with others talking in the room, audible traffic noise, and telephone ringing; hear a telephone ring when the bell unit is located 30' away; discern various tones, rhythms, and series of "beeps" through a headset and over a speaker; discern when a person is speaking with varying degrees of volume, such as shouting or whispering including emotional states; speak quickly in a clear, understandable voice with sufficient volume and tone quality to project effectively over radio, telephone, and in person; move quickly about the building or to other buildings, as needed; stamina to sit for long periods of time and to work long hours; operate computer keyboards and complex radio computer equipment; strength to safely lift and maneuver up to 40 pounds; and quickly bend, reach, climb step stools, and stoop.

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