The Sierra Madre Police Department is seeking energetic, detail-oriented, and effective communicators to join our team of professionals committed to safeguarding our community. As a Police Dispatcher, you will play a critical role in handling and dispatching 9-1-1 emergency calls and business lines, serving as the initial point of contact at the front counter for the City of Sierra Madre. The ideal candidate is dedicated, diligent, and motivated to serve others with professionalism, integrity, and respect, providing outstanding customer service to both external and internal stakeholders. Police Dispatchers work a 3/12 schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays, offering a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in a community-focused law enforcement agency.
Applications will be reviewed continuously and the City may conduct multiple interviews as needed. The closing date may be extended based on the volume of applications and qualified candidates.
- ONLY FULL TIME POSITIONS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CITY BENEFITS.
PART TIME POSITIONS WILL NOT RECEIVE CITY BENEFITS*
Essential Functions
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Communicates with police units in the field by radio;
- Answers telephones on the Emergency 911 line;
- Places service calls and dispatches police, medical, fire and search and rescue accordingly;
- Completes and maintains a variety of police records;
- Monitors radio and teletype system communications of local, state, and federal agencies;
- Assists public at the counter, giving and receiving information and directing to proper offices, insurance companies, attorneys, etc.; receives and processes overnight parking permits; types clearance letters for citizens;
- Multi-tasking is crucial to success.
Provides Front Counter Assistance To The Public By Addressing Inquiries Related To Overnight Parking Permits And Clearance Letter Requests, While Accurately Handling Credit Card And Cash Transactions
- Provides information at the counter and on the telephone about vehicle codes, penal code, fire safety, basic law, first aid, and city rules and regulations;
- Maintains a daily log of police activity;
- Logs and serves subpoenas for in-house officers;
- Processes inquiries from officers in the field through Justice Data Interface Controller (JDIC) computer;
- Inputs data into the computer about stolen or damaged property, stolen vehicles, registered guns, and crime reports;
- Receives complaints and reports, and provides the public with information and directions;
- Performs other related duties as required.
Knowledge Of
- Police department policies and applicable laws governing public safety dispatching, including the California Penal Code, Health and Safety Code, Motor Vehicle Code, Welfare and Institutions Code, Business and Professions Code, Police Department Operations Orders, Sierra Madre Municipal Code, and general Emergency Operations Center procedures.
- Skilled in operating, computer, and telephone communications systems, including Computer Aided Dispatch (C.A.D.) command codes and typewriter keyboards.
Ability To
- Speak with a clear, well-modulated voice in English by phone and on radio dispatch equipment while tactfully communicating with highly emotional callers.
- Operate computer-aided dispatch equipment.
- Comprehend and make inferences from material written in the English language and learns job-related material primarily through oral instruction, observation, and structured lecture.
- Operate a variety of standard office equipment.
- Enter data or information into a terminal, PC, or other keyboard device.
- Remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time.
- Work cooperatively with citizens, co-workers, sworn personnel, and other City and agency employees.
- Remain calm and exercise judgment in making decisions in emergency situations under heavy workloads.
- Determine priorities of emergencies.
- Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
- Work a flexible schedule which may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Accurately and simultaneously monitor the status of multiple calls and units;
- Accurately and simultaneously operate a variety of telecommunications and computer. Equipment such as the CAD system, computer equipment, telephones, radio transmitters, and teletype equipment.
- Learn the geography of the City of Sierra Madre, including streets, landmarks, and public and private facilities.
The ideal candidate works well under pressure to managing calls for emergency services and maintains composure to resolve conflict; provide resources and information to the public; mostly independent work with the ability to work with a team of sworn personnel.
Education/Training/Experience
High school diploma or equivalent required; with the ability to type at least 40 words per minute; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.
*PLEASE ATTACH A TYPING CERTIFICATE RECEIVED WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS*
- APPLICATIONS WITHOUT A TYPING CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED*
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
This position is open to Police Dispatcher–Recruit candidates who have not yet completed a P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers’ Basic Course and who do not have prior public safety dispatch experience, provided they demonstrate a willingness and ability to learn. A valid American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED for Schools and the Community certification is required at the time of hire or must be obtained within three (3) months of employment.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, or crouch to access or place records or files; lift and carry records and documents, typically weighing less than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret data and situations; use math and mathematical reasoning; perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines, on multiple concurrent tasks; work with constant interruptions; and interact with City officials, citizens groups, employees, management, and others encountered in the course of work; occasionally subject to conflicts.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The employee primarily works in an office setting but may be required to travel to different city facilities and events. In the office setting, the noise level is frequently quiet or moderately quiet. Occasional driving is required to visit city facilities and assist with preparations for community and public meetings.
Disaster Service Workers
All City of Sierra Madre employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work in the event of an emergency.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sierra Madre is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Sierra Madre will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
