Fire Dispatcher I

Requisition for Fire Dispatcher I positions with the City of Anaheim, serving the Metro Cities Fire Authority—a joint-powers dispatch center that supports seven agencies in Orange County.

About the role

Incumbents perform a wide range of routine to skilled dispatch activities, including receiving, screening, and responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for fire and medical assistance. Fire Dispatchers use a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to dispatch appropriate units, maintain communication with responding units, and handle clerical, record-keeping, and general support duties related to communications. This role requires working assigned shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed. A 5% differential to base pay is provided for night shifts.

Responsibilities

• Receive emergency calls via CAD and computerized emergency telephone system; determine nature, location, and priority of emergencies; dispatch fire units according to established procedures.
• Maintain contact with all units on assignment using an 800 MHz radio system; track status and location of fire units and dispatch additional units as needed.
• Answer non-emergency calls for assistance and dispatch units as required.
• Test and inspect dispatch equipment as required.
• Perform record-keeping, filing, indexing, and other clerical tasks.

Requirements

• Equivalent combination of experience and training sufficient to perform essential job functions and provide required knowledge and abilities.
• Ability to learn to operate radio, telephone, and CAD systems; speak clearly and precisely; exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergencies.
• Ability to communicate effectively with distressed or irate callers and provide emergency medical instructions.
• Ability to multitask, identify geographic features and streets using maps, and follow department procedures and policies.
• Ability to operate keyboard and office equipment quickly and accurately, sometimes concurrently; minimum typing speed of 35 net-corrected words per minute.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, learn classification codes and computer commands, and maintain accurate files and records.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and the public.

Qualifications

An ideal candidate will possess the following certifications or qualifications:

• California P.O.S.T.-certified Public Safety Dispatchers’ Basic Course Certificate.
• Current Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification from the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (required by completion of probation).
• Current Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED Certificate.
• Flexibility to respond to unexpected or emergency shifts within 60 minutes or a reasonable timeframe.
• Knowledge or entry-level experience operating a computer terminal and office equipment.

Schedule

• Positions may be Part Time (averaging 30 hours per week with no guaranteed minimum) or Full Time.
• Shift work includes nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.
• Employees may be required to work all holidays within a given period (e.g., Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day).
• Shifts and hours may be assigned as needed, particularly during training.
• Shift changes, cancellation of holiday plans, or overtime may be required with minimal notice.

Benefits

The City of Anaheim offers a range of benefit programs for employees and eligible dependents, including:

• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Voluntary benefits (programs and amounts vary by bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and hours worked).
• Retirement benefits through CalPERS, with formulas based on appointment date and membership status.

For more details, visit Benefits Summary or myAnaheimBenefits.

Selection Process

• Performance exam: A computer-based work simulation test (CritiCall) measuring aptitudes for dispatch work. No prior experience is necessary to pass.
• Oral panel interview for candidates who pass the performance exam.
• Medical examination, including drug/alcohol screening and psychological evaluation.
• Background investigation, including verification of employment history, driving record, and drug use.

Background Disqualifiers

The following may result in automatic disqualification during the background investigation:

• Illegal use, sale, or possession of opiates (e.g., heroin, opium) or PCP.
• Use of cocaine, methamphetamine, or hallucinogens (e.g., GHB, MDMA/ecstasy, ketamine) within five years of application.
• Illegal use of anabolic steroids within three years of application.
• Pattern or history of financial irresponsibility (e.g., debt collections, civil judgments, late payments).
• Two or more at-fault traffic collisions within three years of application.
• Conviction of a hit-and-run offense or driver’s license suspension within five years of application.
• Conviction of a felony crime.
• Conviction of any misdemeanor crime within five years of application.
• Conviction as an adult of misdemeanor crimes involving domestic violence, sexual-related offenses, or crimes against children.
• Conviction as an adult of theft or larceny.

The following may also result in disqualification:

• Use of cocaine, methamphetamine, or hallucinogens prior to five years of application.
• Prior nitrous oxide use or illegal use of anabolic steroids prior to three years of application.
• Illegal use of a hypodermic needle/syringe.
• Bankruptcy within the past three years.
• More than one moving violation in the past 12 months, three or more in the past three years, or five or more in the past five years.