DEFINITION

Performs duties involved in receiving law enforcement, fire service, and other calls for service and dispatching public safety personnel; performs a variety of communications related activities for the Public Safety Department; receives fire and other alarm system calls; and performs other duties as required.

The Public Safety Dispatcher is the working level class in the Public Safety Dispatcher series. Incumbents are expected to perform the full range of Public Safety Dispatcher duties with minimum supervision and apply sound judgment regarding their scope of authority in dispatching personnel.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by a Public Safety Lead Dispatcher, Patrol Sergeant and/or Patrol Lieutenant. During shift work operational assistance may be provided by the Public Safety Sergeant assigned as shift supervisor

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Receives, records, assigns case number, and prioritizes incoming calls for law enforcement, fire, medical, and other Department services; dispatches units based on the nature of the call, staff availability, assigned geographical area, and location of the call; dispatches public safety personnel to routine and emergency calls and monitors the assigned unit to ensure officer safety and additional support needs; answers incoming business and emergency calls; takes complaints and requests for information from citizens and where appropriate refers calls to appropriate parties; operates teletype and computerized law enforcement information systems to up-date information or retrieve information in response to officer requests; enters information into centralized law enforcement record keeping systems; maintains emergency notification data for businesses in the City; confirms outstanding warrants with other agencies; types and files a variety of information, including arrest dispositions, bulletins, and other material; monitors prisoners in a holding cell; monitors security cameras for the Public Safety building and surrounding area; up-dates a variety of computerized and paper information files regarding Department activities such as missing persons, stolen vehicles, and warrants; conducts basic repair and maintenance activities on radios and related equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience/Education Sufficient experience and education to successfully perform the duties of the Public Safety Dispatcher A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of one year work experience equivalent to that of a Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee with the City of Rohnert Park.

Knowledge/Skill/Ability

Knowledge of civil, criminal, and municipal provisions relating to the various activities of the Public Safety Department; law enforcement, fire, and other operating procedures and functions of the Department as they relate to the dispatch function; geography of the City and the surrounding environment; legal and procedural techniques and regulations regarding transmission and reception of public safety radio traffic; basic radio and related equipment maintenance. Ability to remain calm, speak clearly, listen, and determine appropriate courses of action during emergency situations; perform multiple cognitive and manual tasks simultaneously; operate radio, computer, and teletype equipment; use sound judgment in prioritizing calls and dispatching personnel and equipment; read, analyze, and interpret laws, regulations, procedures, and policies; perform a variety of office assistance work; maintain courteous and tactful, but firm relationships with the public; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Working Conditions

Position requires prolonged sitting, extended reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in the taking of case reports and data, using a computer key board. Additionally, the position requires near vision in viewing security monitors, using the computer, and reading written informational materials. Excellent hearing and clear speech is required for communicating over the phone and radio equipment. Because of the nature of the emergency dispatch function, incumbents work under a great deal of stress and must be able to complete multiple manual hand tasks simultaneously while monitoring incoming radio traffic.

License/Certificate

Possession of a basic dispatcher certificate issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).