COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR (TRAINEE)

Duties Summary

The fundamental reason for the existence of this classification is to receive and transmit information in the Police Communications Center via telephone, radio calls, written and coded information using a computer aided dispatch system (CADS).

Distinction Characteristics

This position is assigned to the Police Communications Center, which is a 24-hour, seven-days-per-week operation, requiring shift coverage. Incumbents must work assigned shift and must be proficient at multi-tasking. There is a high premium placed on the accuracy and speed of information gathering and maturity in decision making of employees.

Essential Duties

• 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 when police units are needed in a number of situations which exceed available units;
• Evaluates situations to determine appropriate units to dispatch based on availability, priority and location of units;
• Dispatches backup units if appraisal of situation suggests the need for such support or is requested by officers;
• With the aid of detailed maps may direct the police units to locations;
• Obtains required information in discussion with emergency caller;
• Uses Orange County radio system in dispatching units;
• Performs complaint writer function which requires receiving telephone and radio calls and typing information including codes 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.

Communication Operators

Communication Operators receive and record calls on the Public Safety Computer system, dispatch police units to emergency and public service calls. There is a high premium placed on the accuracy and speed of information gathering and maturity in decision making of employees in the Communications Center. Cooperative work relationships are essential.

Minimum Qualifications

• A typical combination includes: Knowledge of codes, practices and procedures used to transmit information to units in the field and locations of streets and buildings.
• Ability to understand complex instructions which are presented orally or in writing; read street maps and quickly find locations; quickly evaluate an emergency situation and develop logical working solutions; keep up with fast pace of incoming calls and transmitted information; successfully perform multi-tasking duties; speak clearly and confidently; gain cooperation and cooperate with others; apply procedures for handling unique problems; exercise good judgment with memory for details; recognize and keep information confidential; be reliable and dependable; read, comprehend, interpret and utilize instructions, manuals and other materials applicable to this area; work all assigned shifts, including weekends and holidays; provide quality customer service.
• Education: High School Degree or equivalent.
• Experience: Type 40 words per minute. A typing certificate, as described below, must be turned in at or before the oral exam.
• Other: Must be available to work ALL assigned shifts, weekends and holidays; Pass comprehensive background investigation and psychological examination.

Application And Selection Procedure

An official on-line application must be completed in its entirety. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Testing will begin after 100 applications have been received. A typing certificate must be turned in at or before the oral exam. Specific instructions regarding acceptable certificates are listed below. Applicants best meeting the needs of the department will be invited to participate in the examination process. The testing will consist of the following: WRITTEN EXAM - The Written Exam is the POST Entry Level Dispatcher Test Battery. A passing T-Score of 48 is required. T-SCORE TRANSFERS - The written exam may be waived if you have achieved a minimum T-Score of 48 on a POST approved Dispatchers Entry Level examination taken no more than six (6) months from the date of our scheduled written exam. Note: You may not retake this exam if already taken within 30 days of the date of our scheduled exam. If you are invited to the written exam phase of the process and would like to transfer your T-Score from another agency, please forward a copy of the T-score letter from the agency where the exam was taken to: MFrame@hbpd.org. ORAL EXAM - The oral exam, weighted 100% of the total score, will determine the ranking 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 medical evaluation, psychological exam and drug screening must be completed with acceptable results. Upon hire, employee is subject to further reporting from DOJ via subsequent arrest notification.

Supplemental Information

See Physical task questionnaires. Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all Huntington Beach city employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster. COMMON DISQUALIFIERS - Civilian Please review the following common disqualifiers. If any items listed pertain to you, you will be automatically disqualified in the background investigation. You may, at this time want to screen yourself and withdraw prior to starting the recruitment process.