COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR (EXPERIENCED)

About the role

The role is designed for individuals who already hold a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate and have at least two years of employment as a public safety dispatcher in a California law enforcement agency.

Responsibilities

• Operates a computer aided dispatch system to send police units in response to emergency calls and other public service needs.
• Determines priorities of all calls and prioritizes responses based on available units.
• Evaluates situations to determine appropriate units to dispatch based on availability, priority, and location of units.
• Dispatches backup units if necessary based on the appraisal of the situation or requests from officers.
• Directs police units to locations using detailed maps.
• Obtains required information in discussions with emergency callers.
• Uses Orange County radio system to dispatch units.
• Performs complaint writer function by receiving and typing information into the CADS to create a call for service.
• Maintains audio and visual security systems to prevent unauthorized entrance.
• Transfers emergency information to other agencies based on information extracted from the caller.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Must be currently working or have worked in the last 24 months as a public safety dispatcher in a California law enforcement agency and have completed two years of employment, including successful completion of the probationary period.

Available to work all assigned shifts, including weekends and holidays.

Pass comprehensive background investigation and psychological examination.

Must type 40 words per minute (net).

Qualifications

• A High School Diploma or equivalent.
• A POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate (issued by the State of California, Department of Justice).
• Ability to understand complex instructions, read street maps, evaluate emergency situations, and perform multi-tasking duties.
• Speak clearly and confidently, gain cooperation, and maintain confidentiality.
• Be reliable and dependable, apply procedures for handling unique problems, exercise good judgment, and remember details.

Skills

Knowledge of codes, practices, and procedures used to transmit information to units in the field and locations of streets and buildings.

Ability to understand and respond to complex instructions, read street maps, evaluate emergency situations, and perform multi-tasking duties.

Speak clearly and confidently, gain cooperation, and maintain confidentiality.

Be reliable and dependable, apply procedures for handling unique problems, exercise good judgment, and remember details.

Benefits

N/A

Pay

SALARY June 24, 2023: $6,009 - $7,448 Monthly
June 22, 2024: $6,309 - $7,821 Monthly
June 21, 2025: $6,625 - $8,213 Monthly

Schedule

24-hour, seven-days-per-week operation, requiring shift coverage.

Application and Selection Procedure

An official on-line application must be completed in its entirety.

A copy of the POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate (issued by the State of California, Department of Justice) must be turned in at the oral exam.

Candidates successfully completing the oral exam will be placed on an employment eligible list from which hires may be made.

The employment eligible list is valid for up to one year, unless exhausted sooner.

Candidates considered for hire must undergo a comprehensive background investigation, which includes (but is not limited to) LiveScan fingerprinting, polygraph exam, credit check, reference/employer checks, DOJ and FBI checks, etc.

Upon a conditional offer of employment, a pre-placement psychological evaluation, medical evaluation and drug screening must be completed with acceptable results.

Upon hire, employee is subject to further reporting from DOJ via subsequent arrest notification.