Lateral Communications Operator

About the role

The La Habra Police Department is seeking a highly motivated, customer service-oriented and dedicated individual to serve as a Lateral Communications Operator. This position requires a typing certificate with a passing score of 40 NWPM. Applications without a valid typing certificate will NOT be considered.

Responsibilities

• Receives calls, complaints, and inquiries from the public for police or other emergency services over the phone.
• Screens incoming calls to determine priority resources, and types of response required in accordance with established procedures.
• Simultaneously receives, responds and documents information from multiple sources while maintaining accuracy in order to relay information to responding personnel.
• Proficiently handles multiple tasks and events simultaneously.
• Communicates clearly, concisely, and possesses effective listening skills.
• Responsible for relaying confidential information with accuracy back to the field personnel.
• Performs general clerical work in support of communication activities.
• Conducts various data entry functions as directed by supervision.
• Maintains contact with other cities or agencies for cooperative emergency operations.
• Works holidays, weekends, day, night, and graveyard shifts as assigned and required.
• Performs related duties as required.

Requirements

• A High School diploma or equivalent is required.
• One year of experience performing typing and clerical duties, demonstrated ability to function under stress, and the ability to handle several tasks simultaneously.
• Must be able to type 40 net words per minute (a typing certificate is required).
• Lateral Requirements: Successful completion of probation with a California public safety agency and minimum one (1) year of operational experience in public safety performing duties as a Communications Operator. Must be able to obtain a POST Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate or complete the California Commission on Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) Public Safety Dispatcher course within one year of appointment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge Of Principles, practices and procedures involved in public safety communications work.
• Geography of the City and the location of streets and important buildings.
• Operation of radio/telephone receiving and transmitting equipment.
• Accurately record and retain data given orally.
• Communicate effectively orally in highly stressful situations.
• Speak clearly and precisely.
• Accurately read and interpret maps.
• Handle simultaneous calls.
• Listen and comprehend radio calls while talking on the phone.
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
• Exercise independent judgment.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships.
• Type accurately at a moderate speed.
• Train others in the use of communication equipment.

Skills

• Accurately record and retain data given orally.
• Communicate effectively orally in highly stressful situations.
• Speak clearly and precisely.
• Accurately read and interpret maps.
• Handle simultaneous calls.
• Listen and comprehend radio calls while talking on the phone.
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Effectively communicate with and elicit information from upset and irate citizens.
• Exercise independent judgment.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships.
• Type accurately at a moderate speed.
• Train others in the use of communication equipment.

Benefits

Medical Insurance: Several CalPERS health plans are available. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium according to the bargaining unit agreement.

Dental Insurance: Three (3) plans are available. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium according to the bargaining unit agreement.

Vision Insurance: The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium. The Employee may pay a portion of the insurance premium according to the bargaining unit agreement and this benefit is voluntary.

Life Insurance: Amount of coverage is based on the employee bargaining unit. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium according to the bargaining unit agreement.

Retirement: CalPERS 2% @ 60 with a 8% employee contribution (classic); new members 2% @ 62 with a 50% of the normal cost plus 1% cost sharing (PEPRA).

The City of La Habra does not participate in Social Security.

Retirement Health Savings (rhs): Employee contributes $20 per month to a Retirement Health Savings (RHS) account and the City contributes $10 per month for each unit member.

Deferred Compensation: The City offers MissionSquare Retirement (formerly ICMA-RC) as its deferred compensation administrator. This is a voluntary benefit with no City contribution.

Vacation: Earned at the rate of eighty (80) hours per year for the first four (4) years of service. Additional vacation may be earned by employees after five (5) years of service.

Sick Leave: Earned at the rate of ten (10) hours per month.

Personal Day: All members are granted a personal day per calendar year.

Holidays: An average of eleven (11) holidays per year.