COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR - LATERAL

About the role

Under general supervision, to answer emergency (911) and non-emergency phone lines, to maintain contact with law enforcement personnel and other City units in the field, to dispatch appropriate units or equipment in response to emergency and other calls received through the Burbank Police Department (BPD) Communications Center; and perform related work as required.

Essential Functions

• Serves as an Operator in the BPD Communications Center on a shift basis
• Receives calls, dispatches and records appropriate law enforcement and other equipment to respond to reported emergencies in the field
• Maintains contact with units at all times during shift assignment in order to send needed or requested assistance in event of emergency
• Maintains a continuous record of the status of mobile units indicating the disposition of each unit by mechanical or other means
• Operates emergency (911) telephone system
• Sends and receives computer messages and routes same to appropriate destination
• Operates a computer terminal to enter, modify, or retrieve data
• Maintains a current log of all information received and transmitted
• Prepares required reports and summaries of Communications Center activities
• Performs miscellaneous clerical work
• May compose and type log sheets as required
• May drive on City business

Minimum Qualifications

Employment Standards:

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures involved in public safety communications work
• Effective customer service techniques
• Spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Skill in operating modern computers and related software
• Skill in exercising independent judgement and making decisions based on standard policy and procedures
• Ability to learn the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission covering the operation of radio receivers and transmitters, the policies and procedures of the Communications Center, BPD General Orders, and City Administrative Procedures, California Penal and Vehicle Codes, the City's Municipal Code, and BPD CAD system
• Ability to learn the proper use and care of radio communications equipment
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to think clearly and act quickly in emergencies
• Ability to maintain accurate records
• Ability to simultaneously receive, dispatch, and record information utilizing a database system
• Ability to work rotating shifts
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow employees, and the public

Education/Training: High school graduation or equivalent, and one year of recent full-time experience in customer service, clerical work, or emergency services dispatch/radio communications work; ability to type 40 net words per minute.

License & Certificates: Peace Officer Standards and Training-certified (POST-certified) Public Safety Dispatch Basic Course Certificate within one year of appointment. All required licenses and certificates must be maintained throughout employment in this classification.

Supplemental Information

A valid California Class "C" driver's license or equivalent may be required at time of appointment.

Pay

The City of Burbank offers a $10,000 Lateral Signing Bonus for qualified Communications Operator – Lateral hires. $5,000 is paid upon hire. $5,000 is paid upon successful completion of the probationary period.

Effective the beginning of the pay period immediately following Council adoption, Communications Operators in the Police Department are eligible to receive POST pay as follows:

• Intermediate POST Certificate: 3%
• Advanced POST Certificate: 4%
• Supervisory POST Certificate: 5%
• Up to 5% total (percentages do not add together as employees obtain additional POST Certificates)