DATE: August 20, 2024
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Authorize the Interim City Manager to Revise the Communications Operator Lateral & Entry Level Hiring Bonus Program to Include Dispatch Call Taker Positions
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) authorizing the Interim City Manager to revise the current Communications Operator Lateral & Entry Level (COLE) Hiring Bonus Program to include the Dispatch Call Taker position.
SUMMARY
Currently, the COH offers a $10,000 hiring bonus under the COLE program as stated in the job announcement for Communications Operator positions for the Hayward Police Department (HPD). The job announcement for the Communications Operator specifies that candidates for that position may also be considered to fill Call Taker position vacancies. During the hiring process, candidates are assessed to determine where they will most likely be successful in the Hayward Communication Center (HCC). Moreover, if a candidate is hired as a Communications Operator, but does not successfully complete the Communications Operator training program, they may be considered for reclassification to the Call Taker position. This is important because if candidates are hired under a Call Taker position, as opposed to a Communication Operator position, they are not currently eligible for a hiring bonus. Staff proposes to revise the current COLE Hiring Bonus Program to fix this, by including the Call Taker position and a $5,000 hiring bonus for those hired as a Call Taker.
BACKGROUND
On June 21, 2022, the City Council approved a COLE hiring bonus for qualified candidates. The COLE Program offers a $10,000 hiring bonus to be paid over a four-year period for entry level candidates. The HCC is currently recruiting for the position of Communications Operator. The Call Taker position is not a stand-alone position which can be applied for. Candidates are assessed during the hiring process for their suitability as a Communication Operator or Call Taker. This is specified in the current job announcement, which states the following:
“Communication Operators may receive a hiring bonus of up to $10,000 disbursed in four equal phases: $2,500 upon acceptance of a final offer of employment; $2,500 upon successful completion of the Training Program; $2,500 upon successful completion of the probationary period, and $2,500 two years after the completion of the probationary period.” “Note: The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill Call Taker vacancies.” Although Communication Operators and Call Takers job duties, roles and responsibilities are somewhat different, Call Takers are essential in the HCC. They are the first element in the communication process of ensuring emergency services are effectively and efficiently dispatched during critical incidents and high priority calls for service. Additionally, the Call Taker position is a common starting point in the HCC before personnel progress to Communications Operator positions.
Furthermore, last year during the FY 2024 budget process, the City Council approved the hiring of six additional Communication Operators to enable the expansion of the HCC to provide Emergency Medical Dispatch for the City of Hayward. As HPD recruits and hires for these additional positions, they will be utilized as Call Takers to advance our goal of providing EMD services to the community.
Staff proposes to revise the current COLE Hiring Bonus Program and current job announcement to include the Call Taker position. If revised, staff proposes to offer a $5,000 hiring bonus for Call Taker positions and retain the hiring bonus of Communications Operator at $10,000.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff recommends the COLE hiring bonus be extended to the HCC Call Taker position in the amount of $5,000. The disbursement will mirror the hiring bonus for HCC Communication Operators. It will be disbursed in four equal phases: $1,250 upon acceptance of a final offer of employment, $1,250 upon successful completion of the training program, $1,250 upon successful completion of the probationary period, and $1,250 two years after the completion of the probationary period.
The fiscal implications of revising the COLE Hiring Bonus Program amount to $5,000 per hire, disbursed over a span of four years following the hiring date. Projections from HPD indicate an annual recruitment of 5-7 eligible Call Takers for the COLE program bonus, based on current and projected vacancies.
The estimated expenditure, contingent upon the recruitment of at least five (5) Call Takers in a single year, is $25,000 (with costs distributed over four years). This initiative will draw funding from salary savings derived from existing budgeted positions, thereby mitigating any additional impact on the General Fund.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda item supports the Enhance Community Safety & Quality of Life strategic priority.
Goal 1: Invest in community-based crime response and enforcement models.
NEXT STEPS
If Council authorizes this action, staff will revise the current COLE program to include Call Taker positions.
Prepared by: Will Deplitch, Police Captain
Recommended by: Bryan Matthews, Chief of Police
Approved by:
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Dustin Claussen, Interim City Manager