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Job Description
Description
LOOKING FOR EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHERS!
Palo Alto Police Department
The Palo Alto Police Department is committed to providing exceptional public safety services and taking a leadership role in building community partnerships. We subscribe to core values that include integrity, accountability, trust, teamwork, a positive attitude, and the professional, impartial treatment of all. Our key responsibilities include:- To provide police response to emergency and non-emergency requests for service in a coordinated and timely manner.
- To apprehend and prosecute offenders and/or resolve investigations in a timely and thorough manner.
- To minimize injury and property damage by promoting a safe and orderly flow of pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic.
- To provide coordinated, responsive and reliable 9-1-1 dispatch services.
Are you ready for an exciting opportunity? The City of Palo Alto is looking for qualified candidates for the Public Safety Dispatcher II (Lateral) position. Operating under general oversight, the Communications Public Safety Dispatcher II will handle the dispatch of emergency and non-emergency personnel and equipment for various user agencies. This includes responding to service calls covering police, fire, paramedics, ambulance, utilities, public works, and animal control services. Additionally, the role involves providing crucial information to both the public and user agencies. As the journey level in the Public Safety Dispatcher series, this role carries out a wide range of dispatch duties with a high level of autonomy. Duties include receiving assistance requests, assessing response urgency and type, dispatching personnel to handle reported incidents, and monitoring situations for changes and personnel safety during responses. The work often occurs under pressure.
Don't miss this opportunity to contribute to public safety and serve our community in a fast-paced and rewarding environment.
Apply today to join our team and make a difference!
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies:- Comprehensive Dispatch Experience: Proficient in emergency response procedures and protocols across multiple agencies.
- Critical Thinking and Decision-Making: Quickly assesses situations to determine appropriate responses and actions.
- Effective Communication Skills: Clear and concise communicator in high-pressure situations, both verbally and in writing.
- Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using dispatch systems, databases, and communication equipment.
- Adaptability and Resilience: Maintains composure and efficiency in dynamic and challenging environments.
- Collaboration and Teamwork: Works effectively with diverse teams and agencies to coordinate responses.
- Customer Service Orientation: Provides courteous and helpful assistance to callers and responders.
- Problem Solving Abilities: Identifies issues, gathers relevant information, and resolves incidents promptly.
- Attention to Detail: Ensures accurate documentation and information dissemination.
- Commitment to Public Safety: Demonstrates dedication to maintaining community safety and well-being.
Benefits : Fantastic benefits package, to learn more click, HERE .
Compensation (SEIU ): Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more click, HERE .
This position is represented by Service Employee International Union position (SEIU).
Essential Duties
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Receives telephone complaints concerning crimes and police emergencies and dispatches appropriate police patrol units by radio to investigate. Relays instructions and questions for field units.
- Receives telephone information concerning fire and medical emergencies and dispatches appropriate fire and ambulance units by radio. Relays instructions and questions from field units.
- Receives telephone complaints concerning utilities and public works emergencies and dispatches appropriate service units to make repairs. Relays instructions and questions from field units.
- Receives telephone complaints concerning animals and dispatches appropriate animal control units to investigate. Relays instructions and questions from field units.
- Receive and transmit the above information by operating communication consoles, two-way radio, telephone, paging, various computers including both manual and computer-aided dispatch systems, voice intercom, fire alarm and intrusion alarm equipment and other public safety 911 equipment and applications.
- Maintain appropriate records, computer data base, maps, diagrams, and written procedures relating to such activities.
- Operate conventional/automated office machines and equipment.
- Prepare special reports as may be required.
- Assist Lead Communications Public Safety Dispatchers and Supervisor, Police Services in projects.
Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate the possession of the following knowledge skills and abilities which would typically be acquired through:- High school graduate or GED,
and- One year of public safety dispatching experience comprised of law enforcement or fire service dispatch responsibilities.
- Possession of a California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate.
- Experience with Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) protocols.
- Experience with CLETS/NCIC Databases.
- Possession of National Academy of Emergency Dispatch Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Certificate.
To see full Public Safety Dispatcher II job description, click HERE .
Supplemental Information
Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:
Work in an office environment; sustained posture and intense attentiveness for prolonged periods.
Selection Process:- Completion of "CritiCall" Exam*
- Completion of the P.O.S.T. Personal History Statement - Public Safety Dispatcher
- Oral Panel Interview(s)
- Comprehensive Police Background Check
- Polygraph Test
- Psychological Test
- Medical Exam
Technical Support:
Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
More than one position may be filled from this posting.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
For more details visit our Careers Page, by clicking HERE.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.
Closing Date/Time: Continuous -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show moreThe Community
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. The community's treelined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage, and, at the same time, many world-class businesses maintain or started offices here, such as Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Amazon, Broadcom, Hewlett-Packard, Houzz, Rivian, SAP and SAP Ariba, Tesla, and Varian Medical Systems. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the start-up capital of the world. Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community's dedication to lifelong learning. Stanford's cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City's exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public-school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation. Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy featuring premium shopping and dining options. Excellent healthcare facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are some of the community's incredibly desirable and cherished amenities. To learn more, visit https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/City-Manager/Latest-NewsCity Government
Palo Alto is a full-service charter city with a council-manager form of government. The seven-member City Council is elected at large, and the City Council annually selects the Mayor and Vice Mayor from among its members. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Auditor. The City Manager is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the City. Palo Alto is organized into 15 departments/offices with 1,093.10 authorized positions in FY 2025. There is also a FY 2025 capital budget of $316.2 million. Palo Alto owns and operates its own utilities, including electricity (carbon-neutral), gas, water, wastewater, and an expanding fiber network. This dynamic municipal environment ensures an ever-engaging platform for unique problem-solving and advances new initiatives, including sustainability, broadband, and effective service delivery. Community assets also include five libraries, 36 parks, five community centers, a museum and zoo, youth centers, a general aviation airport, an 18-hole golf course, a regional water treatment plant, and wildland open space preserves at the San Francisco Bay and in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains offering 41 miles of walking/biking trails in addition to its police, fire, and ambulance services. Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, and the City's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals are part of what sets it apart. Since the City's first Climate Protection Plan was passed in 2007, Palo Alto has set goals that exceed State and Federal targets. Today, the City's goal to reduce emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the "80x30" goal) and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 guides sustainability efforts. An award-winning City, Palo Alto is recognized nationally as innovative and well-managed. City services and performance also receive impressive marks from community members in the Palo Alto Community Survey.
Many of those ratings put City programs and services in the highest percentiles among the hundreds of benchmark cities. Palo Alto makes decisions through comprehensive processes and proactively seeks to involve its extremely informed, educated, and engaged residents. Projects are naturally a cooperative effort among the City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, engaged residents, neighborhoods, businesses, property owners, and staff.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government. We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
Want to learn more about our benefits? Learn more by reviewing our "Benefits at a Glance Booklet."
Contact Us
Phone: 650-329-2376
Email: Recruit@paloalto.gov
Location: City Hall, 1st Floor | 250 Hamilton Ave 94301 | View Map
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