Police Dispatcher (Lateral/Experienced)

Police Dispatcher

The City of La Mesa - "The Jewel of the Hills" announces an exceptional career opportunity as a Police Dispatcher. A Police Dispatcher is responsible for all incoming telephone calls to the Police Department, including 9-1-1 calls; handling the Police Radio; and documenting all activities in a computer-aided dispatch program while operating multiple computer systems.

The ideal candidate has the following characteristics and skills:

• Exceptional multi-tasking ability
• Strong decision-making ability in a high stress environment
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness
• A team-player mentality and perspective; adaptable, dependable, and highly productive
• Emotional maturity, patience and a positive attitude
• Shows initiative and professional assertiveness
• A heart to serve the public in a highly rewarding, unique career
• Thrives in a fast-paced, intellectually challenging environment
• Capable of handling the unexpected in a competent manner.

The La Mesa Police Department maintains the highest commitment to the community through service, honor, integrity, and professionalism. If you are ready to join our tradition of excellence, we welcome your interest - APPLY TODAY!

Key Responsibilities

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Receive emergency calls from the public requesting police or other emergency service; determine nature, location and priority of calls and dispatch units accordingly; transfer calls to appropriate agency in accordance with established procedures.
• Obtain and dispatch other support services including helicopter support, tactical teams, bomb squad, canine, public works, fire department, medical response, highway patrol and border patrol.
• Maintain contact with all units on assignment through computer aided dispatch; maintain status and location of police field units; maintain computer records of traffic stops and other officer-initiated activity.
• Operate a variety of public safety communications equipment including a multi-channel radio, 911 emergency telephone equipment, computer aided dispatch systems, instant recall recorders, and paging and intercom systems. Type minimum of 40 nwpm.
• Operate computer terminals and teletype machine to enter, modify, and retrieve data such as stolen and recovered property, towed and stolen vehicles, missing and unidentified persons, citations, field interviews, driver license and vehicle registration information, and warrants on wanted persons; compose and transmit messages to other agencies.
• Retrieve information from State and National computer networks regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, restraining orders, criminal histories, parolees and other related information; relay information to officers in the field.
• Perform minor routine maintenance on department equipment including dispatch and general office machines; request service and repairs as necessary.
• Perform related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Education/Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in communications, public safety dispatch or a related field.
• Experience: At least one year experience in a law enforcement agency as an emergency call taker AND radio operator (must be law enforcement dispatching). Experience in operation of a computer aided dispatch system (CAD) is required.
• Certificate: A California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course certificate is required. For out-of-state applicants, the successful completion of probation as a 9-1-1 Call Taker and Radio Dispatcher from a law enforcement agency is required.

Examination Process

Interested applicants must submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire. This recruitment is open until the needs of the City are met and may close at any time. Persons interested in this exceptional law enforcement opportunity are encouraged to apply immediately.

Candidates who meet minimum qualifications for this position, and whose overall qualifications best meet the needs of the City will be invited to participate in a CritiCall performance aptitude test. Candidates passing the CritiCall test will be invited to an appraisal interview. Selected candidates will begin the background investigation process. The CritiCall test may be waived for candidates accepted for lateral consideration and for candidates who have successfully passed the CritiCall test administered by the City of La Mesa within the last six months. Candidates under consideration for employment must undergo a polygraph examination and successfully pass a thorough background investigation. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment P.O.S.T. medical evaluation and psychological evaluation. The medical evaluation includes an alcohol/drug screen.