Police Dispatch Calltaker (Hourly)

To receive, evaluate, and act upon 911 emergency and non-emergency telephone communications in the areas of law enforcement and local government operations; and to perform other support duties.

NOTE: This recruitment is for a part-time, non-benefited position limited to 919 hours of employment in a fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) with an average of less than 30 service hours per work week. Hours may vary between 0 - 16 hours per week, dependent upon the daily staffing needs of the department.

Supervision Received and Exercised
Receives general supervision from the Police Dispatcher Supervisor; may receive technical supervision from a Police Dispatcher.

Essential Functions
Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: answer telephone calls to receive reports of 911 emergency and non-emergency situations; provide support to police records, patrol, and other divisions within the Police Department; receive and respond to complaints; elicit information from... callers, and document/evaluate complaints; perform data base inquiries and entries and provide information to law enforcement representatives; determine appropriate jurisdiction of incident and take proper action to resolve complaints; operate deaf telephone (TTD/TTY) equipment; search resource information for wants/warrants on persons, vehicles, and property; dispatch, update and clear officers from incidents via telephone; place telephone calls to other police jurisdictions, City departments, City emergency crews, vehicle tow companies, alarm company, traffic signal maintenance and other services; maintain detailed records of the time and nature of each call; refer to maps and reference materials to secure information needed by personnel in the field and for the dispatch function; take reports and relays messages by radio or telephone; maintains a log of radio calls received and transmitted; type, issue case numbers, log departmental activities and perform routine clerical work; perform other duties related to this position.

Any combination of education and/or experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be two (2) years of clerical, administrative, customer service or emergency service experience AND training equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Experience in the public safety field is highly desirable.

Typing Certificate
A valid typing certificate MUST be attached to your application at the time of submission. Please note that required certificate must reflect the ability to type at a rate of 30 net words per minute or higher. The typing certificate must be issued within one year prior to our receipt of your application. Click here to obtain additional information regarding the typing certificate requirements and locations where you can obtain a typing certificate.

Note: Self-certification using keyboard software or on-line typing certificates, other than the provided testing link, will not be accepted. Additionally, certificates showing only the percentage of accuracy or error (example: 85% accuracy rate or 85% of error) will not be accepted.

License or Certificate
Completion of the POST-certified Basic Complaint/Dispatcher course within twelve (12) months of appointment.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of: techniques, procedures, and methods used in operation of a public safety communications center, including telephone and radio communications; State and local law enforcement procedures, practices, criminal codes, statutes, and ordinances; geographic features and boundaries of the Chula Vista area; appropriate agencies for handling of public safety complaints, problems, and/or emergencies; telephone and office etiquette; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Ability to: effectively operate telephone, two-way voice radio console (respond to inquiries), computer terminal, and other related telephone equipment in the Police Communications Center; elicit from and explain information effectively and accurately to a wide variety of callers including local government officials and the general public; elicit and provide information relevant to maintaining the safety of field personnel; reason clearly, analyze situations accurately, and adopt/develop effective course of action under non-emergency circumstances; maintain professional demeanor and response in handling sensitive calls/callers; document facts accurately, legibly, and completely; work effectively/accurately with codes and coded information; read, interpret, and communicate map information accurately; communicate effectively orally and in writing; assess the customer's immediate needs and ensure customer's receipt of needed services through personal service or referral; provide prompt, efficient and responsive service; exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information; analyze and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendation; work days, evenings, and nights, rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed; type at a speed of at least 30 net words per minute (NWPM); communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions
On a continuous basis, sit at a communications console for prolonged periods of time. Intermittently twist and reach office equipment; write and use keyboard to communicate through written means; wear a telephone headset and be able to hear, distinguish and understand voices with fore and background noise present; verbally communicate effectively with other individuals over the radio or telephone or in person; visually able to read and work on multiple video display terminals simultaneously. Primary work is performed indoors in a carpeted and air-conditioned office environment at a communications console having a computer display terminal. Work is generally performed in an area with fluorescent lighting and moderate noise level. Recruitment No. 24518701H

This recruitment is open until a sufficient number of applications are received and may close at any time without prior notice. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible.

Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via e-mail. Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration. Note that the examination materials for this recruitment are validated, copyrighted and/or inappropriate for review.

Pre-Employment Background Investigation
Successful candidates must undergo a thorough background investigation. There are certain types of conduct which are automatic grounds for disqualification. Please click here to review the 'Pre-Employment Disqualifying Criteria' which identify some of the common areas of the background investigation process that may cause delay or prevent you from competing in the selection process

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