Rev. 2/20230
CITY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
CLASS SPECIFICATION
TITLE: PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER II (340)
DEPARTMENT ACCOUNTABLE TO FLSA STATUS
Police Senior Public Safet y Dispatcher Non-Exem pt
CLASS SUMMARY
Under general supervision, dispatches public safe ty, fire, and emergency medical services.
Incumbents are responsib le for the full scope of dispatching duties including, answering the telephone, receiving emergency and non-emergenc y requests from the pub lic; transmitting and analyzing information received, and dispatching police and fire personnel accordingly. Performs related work as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Graduation from high school or possession of a GED; and The equivalent of two (2) years of paid empl oyment experience in publ ic safety dispatching within the past five (5) years of which at least one (1) year six (6) months included solo status; or
Five (5) years of current paid employment with a public safety agency or private emergency medical services agency, with high level Co mputer Aided Dispatch (CAD), radio and/or telephone operation; or
Successful completion of probationary period as a Public Safety Dispatcher I with the City of Santa Clara.
ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS
Possession of a valid California POST Public Sa fety Dispatcher Basic certificate, which may be substituted for six (6) months of the employment solo status experience.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Classroom education involving fire science or law enforcement related studies.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATES
Successful completion of the California POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery with a T-Score of 50 or above or possession of a valid Califor nia POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate is required at time of application. Possession of a valid California POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate and a valid Medical Priorities Dispatching System (MPDS) Certificate are required prior to the completion of the probationary period.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the journey-level classification in the non-sworn flexibility staffed Public Safety Dispatcher I/II series. Incumbents are exp ected to work independently and exercise judgment and initiative.
Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedur es and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the class of Public Safety Dispatcher I in that the latter is the entry level class PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER II (340)
where incumbents are trained on full range of dispatch functions under immediate supervision.
This class is distinguished from the Senior Public Safety Dispat cher in that th e latter has full responsibility for supervising a shift of Public Safety Dispatchers I/II.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Each position in this classification may not include all the duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all the duties that may be performed.
Operates base radio console equipment, tran smitting and receiving routine and emergency messages
Receives emergency and routine requests for services from the public via 9-1-1, alternate emergency lines, and business lines
Dispatches appropriate emergency vehicles, equipment and personnel in response to those requests, in accordance with established policies and procedures Coordinates emergency operations between various departmental personnel and equipment Operates data terminals for information pert aining to daily public safety operations, and general emergency services
Maintains written logs, files, and computer information in the prescribed manner Updates computer files and performs other clerical functions and tasks as directed Performs other related duties as assigned
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
General public safety radio and telephone communications systems Police and fire emergency procedures
Primary roads, streets, highways, major buildi ngs, and public faciliti es within the City’s boundaries
Skill in:
Reading and interpreting maps; and maintaining accurate records
Ability to:
Read, write, spell, and speak in clear, concise English Learn correct telephone answering techniques, policies and procedures Operate computer-aided dispatch (CAD) syst em with sufficient speed and accuracy to document field activity and create calls for service within response criteria guidelines Analyze situations quickly and accurately, while taking effective action to assure public safety provider and citizen safety
Follow verbal and written instructions
Communicate clearly and distinctly using radio and telephone equipment Maintain composure and work accurately in emergency situations Work in a team-based environment and achieve common goals Establish and maintain tactful, courteous, a nd effective working rela tionships with those contacted during the course of work, including the general public Work in a confined area, wearing a headset which restricts physical movement about the work area
PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER II (340)
Accurately enter information into the CAD system while simultaneously receiving information by phone or radio
Retrieve data from CAD terminal or ot her keyboard device, ma intain appropriate documentation of previous events, details, and conversations Work in a highly structured environment where all communications are recorded or documented and reviewed as public record
Handle multiple priorities and organize workload
Extract information or data from other computer systems View multiple video display terminals for ex tended periods of time in low variable light conditions
Distinguish and interpret the meaning of colors on video display terminals Distinguish and comprehend simultaneous communications from several sources Work continuously or uninterrupted as require d, standing or sitting fo r extended periods of time
Perform with a high standard of customer service, prof essional conduct, and civic responsibility
Use emergency medical questioning techniques and provide medical instructions via telephone when required
Type at a net rate of 35 wpm on a computer keyboard
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general supervisio n of the Senior Public Safety Dispatcher and the overall direction of the Communications Operations Manager or Watch Commander.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
In the absence of a Senior Public Safety Dispatcher, incumbents may be appointed out-of-class to perform the necessary supervisory responsibilities required to maintain effective operation of the Communications Center.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Incumbents must have the ability to work, as assigned, on schedules that may include weekendsSaturdays, Sundays, holidays, and non-traditional work hours; and a willingness to work overtime as required.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to perform all the essential functio ns of the job assignment . All candidates will be required to pass a City background investigat ion, which will include fingerprinting and may include polygraph and/or psychological testing.
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
Created 05/2015; Rev. 11/2020 Rev. 02/2023