Job Details

Public Safety Dispatcher

All applicants must complete the proficiency exam in order to be considered for the position. This exam will be emailed out after submitting of an application. This exam will take approximately 2 hours and can be completed remotely. Current law enforcement dispatchers, or individuals who were law enforcement dispatchers for at least one year within the past 3-years, will not need to take the computerized exam. Candidates selected for this position will be required to complete a police background check, including but not limited to, a criminal check, psychological exam, and drug screen. The announcement will remain open until all positions have been filled. Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. Under general supervision from supervisory or management staff, the Public Safety Dispatcher receives and transmits routine and emergency requests for police, fire, ambulance and/or emergency assistance and dispatches required personnel and equipment; performs responsible clerical work of moderately high difficulty; and operates complex teletype and video terminals for automated information retrieval. The Public Safety Dispatcher is a journey level non-sworn classification in the Police Department. This position requires the incumbent to work under general supervision and within a framework of established procedures. They are expected to perform a full range of duties with only occasional instruction or assistance. Work normally is reviewed only on completion, and may be expected to provide limited training and assistance to less experienced staff.

Examples Of Duties

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.

1. On assigned shift, receives and processes incoming 911 calls, non-emergency calls, and voice radio calls; secures and records information as to the exact location and circumstances, and uses radio to dispatch necessary units, including police, fire department, and ambulance personnel and equipment as well as other resources that may be necessary.
2. Maintains status of units on assignments; keeps department officials informed of situations and dispatches equipment that either protocol or the dispatcher deem appropriate.
3. Inputs highly sensitive and technically difficult warrants, restraining orders, weapons, evidence, vehicles, property, missing persons, runaways, into the local, state and national teletype system.
4. Provides emergency medical instruction over the phone and must be EMD certified to perform this task.
5. Logs all police, fire, and medical calls for service; compiles data and prepares reports of reported emergencies, equipment dispatched, and/or status of emergency and non-emergency calls.
6. Relays emergency and non-emergency information to public safety personnel in the field; interprets information from units in field which may be unclear, broken or in code.
7. Processes all paperwork related to arrests and citations as part of completing the package for the District Attorney or other related agencies.
8. Relays information to other agencies as required; relays the nature of the incident.
9. Receives the public at the front counter; responds to requests for information; answers general questions about department's procedures and processes.
10. Performs clerical work related to Police activities including logs, reports, applications and correspondence.
11. Accurately inputs program information into electronic data bases.
12. Performs related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• English usage and grammar.
• Modern office procedures and practices.

Ability to:

• Review documents related to dispatching operations.
• Observe, identify and problem solve incidents while dispatching.
• Remember, understand, interpret and explain operational policies and procedures to the public and staff.
• Operate radio and telephone equipment in dispatching public safety equipment and personnel.
• Analyze a situation and determine effective course of action.
• Perform job tasks effectively under pressure for sustained periods of time.
• Memorize and retain information presented clearly and unclearly from a variety of sources.
• Perform several tasks at once and assign reasonable priorities to incoming calls; monitor multiple radio frequencies.
• Speak clearly and concisely in an understandable voice via radio and telephone and in person.
• Use a keyboard and computer efficiently and effectively.
• Type a minimum of 40 net words per minute.
• Work under stress and exercise good judgment in emergency situations.
• Learn the geography of the city, county and location of streets and important buildings.
• Adjust quickly to changing situations.
• Listen carefully and attentively and remember names, locations and numbers.
• Give and take orders.
• Read maps quickly and accurately.
• Perform arithmetic computations with speed and accuracy.
• Work irregular hours and shift work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and experience guidelines - 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. Experience: Some experience performing duties similar to dispatching emergency services.

Supplemental Information

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with extensive public contact and constant interruptions. Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction. Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. FLSA Designation: Non-Exempt

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

The City of South Lake Tahoe is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Disaster Service Worker

All full-time, permanent City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.