The City of Lincoln is creating an applicant pool for the position of Public Safety Dispatcher I/II within the Police Department. Interested applicants may submit their application to be part of the applicant pool. As new vacancies occur, the recruitment team will review applications for consideration.
The Lincoln Police Department is authorized for 23 sworn officers, six dispatchers, and various other civilian and volunteer positions. The dispatch center provides public safety dispatch services for the Lincoln Police Department and three Lincoln Fire stations. The communications center is staffed 24/7 and dispatchers work in pairs or solo. Public safety dispatchers answer emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire and other city services. Dispatchers prioritize calls and dispatch public safety units as needed. Heavy phone and radio use is a primary duty of the position. Other duties include clerical and specialized record keeping functions.
Under immediate supervision, this position performs a wide variety of technical and clerical law enforcement support duties related to taking police, fire and medical emergency requests for service from the public and tracks and dispatches field units as appropriate; gathers, records, maintains, retrieves and distributes law enforcement data and information; enters reports and data into a variety of automated law enforcement records systems; ensures that records and information are accurate, clear and comprehensive for law enforcement personnel and the general public; learns applicable policies, procedures and work methods associated with assigned duties; performs other related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Public Safety Dispatcher I is the entry level class in which incumbents learn to perform and perform Police Dispatcher duties under immediate supervision. This classification is alternatively staffed with Public Safety Officer II and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating a level of proficiency that meets the qualifications of the higher class.
The Public Safety Dispatcher II is the working level class in which incumbents are expected to perform the full range of Police Dispatcher duties with minimum supervision and apply sound judgment regarding their scope of authority in dispatching personnel. This classification is distinguished from the Community Service Officer series in that the latter performs duties involving work in taking reports in the field and performing face-to-face public service activities.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED
The Public Safety Dispatcher I receives immediate supervision from the Police Office Supervisor or a Watch Commander. Incumbents of this class do not routinely exercise supervision. The Public Safety Dispatcher II receives supervision from the Police Office Supervisor or a Watch Commander. Incumbents of this class do not routinely exercise supervision.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Include but are not limited to the following:
- Receives and enters calls for police, fire and medical service in CAD; dispatches and tracks field units; interprets level of service needed through information obtained from field officers or citizens; coordinates multi-agency responses when necessary; transfers calls to appropriate agencies if warranted.
- Responds to questions and concerns from the general public, department staff and other agencies; takes and records telephone and counter reports; provides information as appropriate and resolves service issues and complaints.
- Enters and maintains accurate data and information into the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) including stolen vehicles, and missing and unidentified persons; enters and retrieves information from a variety of state and local automated systems; validates selected records from the Department of Justice files including vehicles, boats and missing persons; releases impounded vehicles; processes reports and citations; collects and maintains statistical information.
- Learns and develops an understanding of applicable policies, procedures, and work methods associated with assigned duties.
- Photocopies and distributes crime, incident, arrest and accident reports to the general public and various agencies such as the Department of Justice (DOJ), California Highway Patrol, District Attorney, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and insurance companies; prepares reports for court; applies federal, state and local laws when releasing information.
- Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS
This position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily office activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing reports and retrieving and entering data using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading work related documents and using the computer, and acute hearing is required when providing phone, dispatch and face to face service. The need to lift, drag, and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds also is required.
KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES/SKILLS
The following are a representative sample of the KAS’s necessary to perform essential duties of the position. The level and scope of the knowledge and abilities listed below vary between the I and II levels.
Knowledge of: Civil, criminal, and municipal provisions relating to the various activities of the Police Department; law enforcement, fire, and other operating procedures and functions of the Department as they relate to the dispatch function; geography of the City and the surrounding environment; legal and procedural techniques and regulations regarding transmission and reception of public safety radio traffic; basic radio and related equipment maintenance.
Ability to: Perform a variety of complex work with speed and accuracy; remain calm under emergency situations; learn to operate specialized law enforcement automated information and communication systems; work flexible hours including evenings, weekends and split shifts; learn basic Spanish speaking skills that allow for communication regarding addresses, locations, time descriptions, etc.; interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; read, interpret and record data accurately; organize, prioritize and follow-up on work assignments; work independently and as part of a team; make sound decisions within established guidelines; follow written and oral directions; observe safety principles and work in a safe manner; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Skill to: Operate an office computer and a variety of word processing and software applications; effectively operate specialized law enforcement automated information and communication systems; type accurately from clear copy at a rate of 35 words per minute.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
To be considered, candidates must possess one of the following at the time of application:
- POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Exam with a T-score of 48 or higher
- A valid POST-certified Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course Certificate
The process may include an in-basket exercise, individual interviews, panel interviews and/or other related components. Only those candidates who have the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to the process. The candidate selected for the position will be required to complete a background check including reference checks, fingerprint check, medical/drug-test evaluation and/or other related components.
Human Resources will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise HR of any special needs a minimum of five days in advance of the selection process exam by calling (916) 434-3229. The City of Lincoln is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The information contained herein is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
