Public Safety Dispatcher - Supervising

This position is scheduled to receive a 3% wage increase effective June 9th, 2018.

To act as shift supervisor and participate in the work of the Public Safety Communications Center; to oversee training of dispatchers; and to provide administrative support to management staff.

This is the first supervisory level in the Public Safety Dispatcher series and recognizes positions that perform full, first-line supervisory responsibilities including planning, assigning and evaluating the work of subordinates. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including oversight of training new and experienced dispatchers and acting as shift supervisor; responsibilities may also include supervising personnel on more than one shift. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

This class is distinguished from the Dispatch Services Supervisor in that the supervisory responsibilities are tied to an assigned shift, whereas the latter class is a second-line supervisor with broader responsibilities which may encompass an organizational section or program area within the Dispatch Unit of the Sheriff’s Office.

Receives direction from the Dispatch Services Supervisors and/or management staff; and technical and functional supervision from the Watch Commander.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned Public Safety Dispatchers.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Act as shift supervisor, including responsibility for directing the activities of assigned subordinate staff; planning and coordinating dispatch activities for assigned shift; and participating in activities involving the dispatch of routine and emergency law enforcement personnel, including the Sheriff's Office, fire and other municipal and emergency services such as ambulance, tow trucks and rescue services.
• Oversee and/or provide training for new and existing employees in the operation of 911 communications equipment, the monitoring of specified radio frequencies and the dispatching of public safety equipment and personnel; ensure that all employees are trained to provide pre-arrival medical instructions to individuals prior to rescue and/or ambulance personnel arriving on the scene.
• Ensure that Public Safety Dispatcher II positions assigned Dispatch Training responsibilities generate and maintain complete training records.
• Keep watch commander informed of pertinent incoming information and potential operating problems.
• Maintain the dispatch scheduling records and postings; enter all pre-approved time-off requests and ensure that mandatory staffing coverages are met; recommend and/or order appropriate staff coverage in the event of staffing shortages, depending on the shift to which assigned.
• Confer with higher-level staff regarding special instructions and/or changes in procedures; relay information to subordinates.
• Serve as resource to subordinates on policies and procedures.
• Review radio logs and other documents prepared by dispatchers for accuracy, completeness and legibility.
• Evaluate performance of employees supervised on an assigned shift; identify and correct operational procedures and problems to maintain a high level of service to field units.
• May be required to maintain statistical information concerning communication operations.
• Update computer aided dispatch files as necessary.
• Perform the dispatch duties as required while supervising a shift.
• Perform routine computer system maintenance; maintain daily back-up tapes for the C.A.D. system; assist staff in all other data base management activities.
• Provide communications training in the absence of available staff ordinarily assigned Dispatch Training duties.
• May provide vacation and other temporary relief for supervisor as required.
• Prepare requisitions for supplies and other materials.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prepare requisitions for supplies and other materials.

• Successful completion of the P.O.S.T. certified Basic Complaint/Dispatcher course; or the P.O.S.T. Basic Dispatcher Training Equivalency Examination.
• Must satisfactorily complete the P.O.S.T. certified Emergency Medical Dispatch course prior to completion of probation.
• Possession of a valid CPR certificate at the time of appointment.
• Successful completion of the Placer County's Supervisory Management Practices (SMP) course or other equivalent training class or series by the completion of the probationary period. 
• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.  

Knowledge of:

• Automated systems pertaining to communication/dispatch operations including C.A.D., C.L.E.T.S. and other internal computer systems.
• Various jurisdictions to which 911 communication is responsible.
• Principles of training and adult teaching techniques in an emergency dispatch environment.
• Organization, operations and terminology of police, fire, or other public safety agencies.
• Appropriate Emergency Medical Dispatch procedures.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws and codes.
• Geography of the County and location of streets and important buildings.
• Departmental established rules and procedures.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Ability to:

• Act as shift supervisor and in emergency situations direct an appropriate course of action by operating radio and 911 communications equipment to dispatch public safety equipment and personnel.
• Sit at workstation for long periods of time on a continuous basis. 
• Intermittently, twist and reach office equipment or materials from printer or other locations within the dispatch center; write or use keyboard to communicate through written means; verbally give instructions to officers in the field; lift light weight.
• Quickly and accurately receive and process auditory information in an environment that includes various background noises such as telephones ringing, multiple frequency radio traffic, and general conversation; decipher and differentiate various verbal and non-verbal auditory sounds and cues at variable intensities.
• Continuously analyze information received from a variety of sources; identify different voices and sounds on the radio and telephone; interpret radio codes correctly and translate information to the public; know various locations and addresses; observe computer screen for messages; receive information from the public and assist in problem solving their particular situation; remember and understand Sheriff's Office policies for different types of calls; explain to the public how their concern will be handled.
• Supervise, train and evaluate assigned shift personnel.
• Plan and coordinate dispatch activities for a designated shift.
• Evaluate the specific training needs of subordinate staff; plan, organize and conduct emergency dispatch training programs.
• Implement operational policies and procedures effectively.
• Analyze a situation and determine effective course of action; adjust quickly to changing situations; perform several tasks at once and assign reasonable priorities to incoming calls; monitor multiple frequencies.
• Listen carefully and attentively and remember names, locations and numbers; record pertinent data associated with C.A.D. events and logs.
• Speak clearly and concisely in an understandable voice via radio and telephone and in person.
• Maintain an efficient, calm demeanor in handling adverse or emergency situations; act quickly and calmly and direct other personnel to do the same.
• Differentiate various sound and tones, i.e., alarms.
• Read maps quickly and accurately.
• Operate all equipment associated with the dispatch function including, 911 (basic and advanced), telephone and radio.
• Understand C.A.D. data files.
• Maintain accurate and complete records.
• Operate computerized keyboards and other related equipment at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Work unusual and prolonged work schedules.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and efficient manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Follow and train others to follow safe work practices including workplace safety policies and procedures.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants for this classification must complete and pass a background check (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph) and pre-employment psychological and medical examinations, including a drug screening, prior to appointment. All applicants must sign a constitutional oath, submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S., and be fingerprinted. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age or be bonded.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and those in management and confidential groups, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit