Job Details

Lateral Dispatchers Opportunity

The City of San Luis Obispo has an exciting opportunity for lateral dispatchers! (Note: A lateral candidate is someone who has a minimum of one year of experience in dispatching for a public safety agency and meets the minimum requirements of the position.) Applications will be received by human resources on a continuous basis. When a vacancy is anticipated, the most qualified candidates will be invited to complete a virtual written exam (CritiCall). Upon completing the CritiCall exam, top scoring candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview.

Lateral public safety dispatcher lump sum hiring incentive Lateral dispatchers may be eligible to receive a signing incentive of up to $16,000 payable as follows:

• Up to $5,000 upon hire.
• Up to $1,000 upon successful completion of the field training program.
• Up to $5,000 upon successful completion of the 12-month probationary period.
• Up to $5,000 paid upon successful completion of the third-year anniversary.

In addition to the monetary hiring incentive, lateral candidates will be eligible for an additional 40 hours of vacation upon completion of the first 6-months of employment. The city is also honoring service credit towards vacation accrual for completed public sector years of service.

Job Summary

Operates radio systems to dispatch public safety emergency vehicles and personnel, answers emergency and non-emergency phone calls and provides pre-arrival medical emergency instructions. Performs a variety of clerical activities and related work as required.

Examples of Duties

Example of duties and responsibilities:

• Receives information and requests for services from the public via telephone and text to 9-1-1.
• Receives information via radio over numerous police, fire, and public works radio frequencies.
• Uses various computer programs to provide resource information to field units, other agencies, and the public.
• Makes accurate entries into the California law enforcement telecommunications system and collects and enters pertinent information into local data storage systems.
• Analyzes situations accurately and takes effective action to help assure officer and citizen safety.
• Communicates in a calm, clear, easily understood voice with proper diction, under stressful conditions.
• Dispatches emergency police, fire, and other city resources/vehicles to scenes of requests for service in accordance with established policies and procedures. Prioritizes and assigns appropriate resources for emergency and non-emergency service calls.
• Provides medical pre-arrival instructions using established emergency medical dispatch protocols.
• Maintains computerized and paper indexes of information in the communications center.
• Disseminates information on wanted persons, property, warrants, etc.
• Responsible for proper care of communications equipment. Maintains security for confidential or restricted information.
• Participates in training program and utilizes acquired knowledge to train other unit members.
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.

Knowledge of:

• Current computer and cellular telephone technology.
• California law and city of San Luis Obispo ordinances.

Ability to:

• Learn the standard broadcasting procedures of a law enforcement radio system.
• Learn and utilize established emergency medical dispatch protocols to provide pre-arrival instructions.
• Simultaneously use the computer keyboard effectively while speaking on the phone and radio.
• Communicate in a clear, easily understood voice with proper diction, under stressful conditions.
• Apply acquired knowledge to new situations in order to make effective decisions.
• Demonstrate social intelligence combined with quick thinking and decisive action.
• Accurately type at a rate of net 40 words per minute.
• Conduct work in a manner that supports the overall team effort and maintain effective work relationships.
• Work with diverse populations and maintain an inclusive environment.

Typical Qualifications

Education and experience: Entry level high school diploma from a recognized American accreditor or G.E.D.; and two years of typing, keyboard or clerical experience with word processing speed of at least 40 w.p.m. net; and successful completion of a POST entry-level dispatcher selection exam before hire. Experience operating radio and telephone equipment and data entry terminals is desirable. Lateral in addition to the above: A minimum of one year experience in dispatching for a public safety agency. Computer aided dispatch (CAD) experience is preferred. Possession of a California POST public safety dispatcher basic course certificate.

Possession and maintenance of:

• California POST public safety dispatcher basic course certificate within one year of appointment.

This position will be required to complete the following before a final offer is made:

• Polygraph
• Police background investigation
• Pre-employment physical
• Credit check
• Live scan fingerprinting (DOJ & FBI)

Equal opportunity & language access notice The city of San Luis Obispo values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to fostering a community where all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and inclusion, and where everyone can thrive. Our job posting site is compatible with tools such as Google Translate, which applicants may use to view postings in their preferred language. Please note that all application materials and responses must be submitted in English, as English is the working language of the city.

For questions or assistance, please contact recruitment@slocity.org.