Police Radio Dispatcher Trainee / Police Communication Specialist

CITY OF SAN JOSE
San Jose, California United States  View Map
Posted: Oct 29, 2024
  • Salary: $87,862.32 - $127,283.52 Annually USD Annually
  • Salary Top:127283
  • Full Time
  • Dispatch and Telecommunications
  • Education and Training
  • Public Safety
  • Job Description

    Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

    About the Department

    The San José Police Department is dedicated to providing public safety through community partnerships and 21st Century Policing practices, ensuring equity for all. The Department is committed to treating all of San Jose’s diverse community members with dignity, fairness, and respect, while protecting their rights and providing equal protection under the law.

    Position Duties

    The Police Communication Specialist position is an entry level training position in the Communications Unit for the Police Department. Police Communication Specialists are required to handle the full range of telephone answering and dispatch functions. The key responsibilities for a Police Communication Specialist include:

    -Receiving, answering, and processing 911 emergency and non emergency calls; Using a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to create calls for service; Assigning priorities and type codes both to incoming calls and to the dispatch of calls for service; Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and multitask; Ability to interpret information from hysterical, incoherent, angry, and upset callers;-Create crime and informational reports.

    This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

    **Candidates that are appointed will be required to attend the Basic Dispatch Academy held in house at the San Jose Police Department for eight (8) weeks. Candidates are paid when they begin academy training. After the academy, candidates will continue on-the-job training, rotating through a number of assignments and shifts.**

    Mandatory overtime will be required during critical incidents or to maintain staffing levels. Wearing a uniform is required; however, uniform expenses are partially reimbursed. The wearing of a headset is also required and is purchased by the employer. Incumbents receive paid training beginning on their first day attending the Basic Dispatch Academy.

    These positions may require assignments to a Swing, Graveyard, or other non-standard shift; most work four 10-hour shifts followed by three days off. There is a shift differential payment of $2.25/hour for Swing Shift and $2.50/hour for Graveyard Shift.
    ______________________________________________________________________

    Position & Duties - Police Radio Dispatcher Trainee

    The Police Radio Dispatcher Trainee position is an entry level training position in the Communications Unit of the Police Department. The key responsibilities for Police Radio Dispatcher Trainee include:

    -Learning to dispatch police personnel and equipment on both routine and emergency calls utilizing the computer aided dispatch system, video display terminals, radio dispatching consoles, and related equipment; Answering the telephone and receiving emergency, non-emergency, and 9-1-1 requests for assistance; Inquiring, interpreting, verifying, receiving, and disseminating information from law enforcement computer networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, etc; Participating in field training exercises as needed to fully develop dispatching skills; Performing all related learning and testing activities.

    This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

    Formal training in the classroom and in the field will be provided in order to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the public safety dispatching functions. Police Radio Dispatcher Trainees must complete the training program and be appointed to the class of Police Radio Dispatcher in order to retain employment. Successful candidates must demonstrate excellent communication skills, strong customer service skills, and the ability to retain composure and work accurately under pressure in emergency situations.

    **Candidates that are appointed will be required to attend the Basic Dispatch Academy held in house at the San Jose Police Department for eight (8) weeks. Candidates are paid when they begin academy training. After the academy, candidates will continue on-the-job training, rotating through a number of assignments and shifts. After successfully completing this portion of the training program, Candidates will begin a five (5) week Radio Academy and training program as a Police Radio Dispatcher.**

    Mandatory overtime will be required during critical incidents or to maintain staffing levels. Wearing a uniform is required; however, uniform expenses are partially reimbursed. The wearing of a headset is also required which is purchased by the employer. Incumbents receive paid training beginning with their first day attending the Basic Dispatch Academy.

    These positions may require assignment to a Swing, Graveyard, or other non-standard shift; most work four 10-hour shifts followed by three days off. There is a shift differential payment of $2.25/hour for Swing Shift and $2.50/hour for Graveyard shifts.

    Salary Ranges
    Police Communication Specialist - $87,862.32 - $106,753.92
    Police Radio Dispatcher Trainee - $94,283.28 *After training is completed, the salary range for Police Radio Dispatcher is $104,679.12 - $127,283.52.*
    These amounts include an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay.

    Minimum Qualifications

    Police Communication Specialist

    Education and Experience : Completion of high school or equivalent (General Education Development [GED] Test or California Proficiency Certificate) AND one (1) year of experience working in public contact employment defined as customer service, a call center, or a closely related field where substantial face-to-face or over-the-phone contact was made with the public.

    Police Radio Dispatcher Trainee

    Education and Experience : Successful completion of high school and one year of experience receiving, processing and/or dispatching calls in a radio dispatch or call center OR, successful completion of high school and one (1) year of experience working in public contact employment.

    NOTE: Public contact employment is defined as customer service, a call center, or a closely related field where substantial face-to-face or over-the phone contact was made with the public.

    Passing a San Jose Police Department background (including but not limited to a polygraph examination, medical examination and psychological evaluation) check is a condition of employment

    Other Qualifications

    Competencies

    The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

    Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

    Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.

    Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

    Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

    Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

    Decision Making - Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.

    Multi-Tasking - Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current positions.

    Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and effective manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

    Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education that promotes job performance.

    Selection Process
    The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only those candidates whose background best match the position will be forwarded to the next phase of the selection process, which includes an Information Session, Computer Practical (CRITICALL) and Oral Interview. Applicants deemed most competitive after oral interviews will be required to pass a police background investigation, which includes polygraph, medical examination, and psychological screening.

    For more information regarding the Background Process click HERE.

    Mandatory Information Session: Attending Information session is mandatory to move forward to the CRITICALL Exam. The Information Session provides applicants with more details regarding the day to day duties of the position(s) and an overall understanding of the hiring and training process as well as information regarding the Background Process and requirements.

    Computer Practical (CRITICALL): The City of San Jose Police Department administers the CRITICALL Exam during the recruitment process. The CRITICALL exam is a Pass/Fail computer practical where applicants listen to a series of taped exercises, which require applicants to rapidly and accurately process simulated dispatch information.

    Tentative Timeline -
    Mandatory Information Session (In person) -January 28 and 30 and February 1, 2025
    CritiCall Workshop *OPTIONAL* (Virtual)-February 9, 10, and 11, 2025
    CritiCall Exam - February 21 - March 2, 2025
    Oral Board Workshop *OPTIONAL* (Virtual) - March 9, 10, 11, and 13, 2025
    Oral Board (In person) -March 15, 2025
    Backgrounds: March - July 2025
    Hiring Board Selection: July 2025
    Psych/Medical Exams: July 2025 (4-6 weeks to receive final status after appointment)
    Academy Start Date: September 14, 2025
    *DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IF NEEDED*

    If you have questions regarding the duties of this position, the recruitment, or selection/hiring process, please contact Alexandria Rodriguez via email at Alexandria.rodriguez@sanjoseca.gov.

    Additional Information:

    Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

    Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

    This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

    Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

    The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

    For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

    In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

    Closing Date/Time: 1/6/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
  • ABOUT THE COMPANY

    • City of San Jose
    • City of San Jose

    SanJoseCA.gov is the City of San José’s public website, offering information for our community 24/7. The City of San José is a large organization offering a wide variety of services and programs, and the website is intended to make it easier to find information about these services online.

    The purpose of the City website is to provide information of the City's choosing to the public in order to conduct the City’s business and promote the City's goals as guided by the City Council. The City’s website and the selection of sites to which any of them may be linked are not intended to serve as a forum for free discussion. Ample facilities for free expression are available both on the Internet and in the physical world. Instead, the City’s website is intended to serve the City’s need to make useful and practical information available to residents, businesses, and visitors which facilitates provision of a City service or furthers another specifically articulated purpose of the City.

    You can search our website by City servicesdepartment directory, or by topic. If you are looking for information on City policies and ordinances, try searching the City Council meetings, agendas and minutes database, the City Policy Manual or the Municipal Code. 

    The Mayor’s Office, the City Council, Boards and Commissions, and most City departments and offices are represented on SanJoseCA.gov. You can also find certain City departments and programs via separate websites for Mineta San José International AirportPolice DepartmentPublic Library and Happy Hollow Park & Zoo.

    You can find more information about City programs, services, and events through CivicCenterTV (Cable Channel 26), by subscribing to City News and Information, and by following us on FacebookGoogle+, and Twitter.

     

     

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