This class is characterized by the responsibility to administer and supervise dispatch activities for law enforcement, fire service, and emergency medical services. Judgment is required both in interpreting established policies, goals, and objectives, and in applying concepts, plans, and strategies that may deviate from traditional methods and practices. Incumbents recommend policies and procedures consistent with the goals, objectives, directives, and regulations that are developed by management staff. Incumbents provide training and technical expertise to staff and coordinate unit activities with representatives of law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical service, and other departments/agencies.
Supervision Received and Exercised
Receives direction from the Emergency Services Manager.
Provides supervision to dispatch staff.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of:
Policies, procedures, and activities of the County and departmental practices as they pertain to the performance of duties; agency goals and purposes; terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the department.
Operational systems, practices, procedures, and methodologies associated with dispatching of emergency services.
Law enforcement terminology and radio code systems; law enforcement techniques and procedures as they relate to dispatch activities.
Operation of radio dispatching equipment, TTY system, audio recording equipment, telephones systems, and other equipment typically used in dispatch activities.
Emergency services in Solano County.
Techniques and effective methods of handling difficult public contacts.
Principles of employee supervision and personnel management, including training and disciplining of personnel.
Computers and software programs typically used in the position; automated record-keeping systems used in the criminal justice system; computerized data collection, retrieval, and analysis. Skills to:
Utilize basic office equipment, TTY, telephone systems, radio dispatch equipment, computers, and automated record-keeping systems.
Perform data entry accurately and with appropriate speed.
Ability to:
Comprehend, interpret, explain, and apply a variety of complex laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and other information related to emergency dispatch program operations.
Plan, organize, and supervise dispatch programs/services.
Develop and implement operational procedures.
Understand program objectives in relation to departmental goals and procedures.
Identify and analyze administrative problems and implement operational changes.
Dispatch law enforcement and emergency service personnel; interview people to discover information pertinent to the reported emergency situation; make referrals to local and regional providers of social, medical and/or other specialized services.
Read and interpret maps and street guides.
Recall detailed information.
Simultaneously monitor a variety of emergency situations.
Make decisions, project consequences of decisions, use independent judgment, and work with little direct supervision as situations warrant.
Determine the appropriate course of action in emergency or stressful situations.
Work under pressure.
Supervise the work of others engaged in dispatching activities; provide training in dispatch procedures; plan, supervise, instruct, train, and direct the work of subordinates; effectively delegate responsibility and authority; determine and evaluate levels of achievement and performance of others; secure cooperation and teamwork among professional and support staff; plan, organize, and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
Collect and analyze data to identify, establish, and evaluate needs, draw logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
Research procedures and/or technical reference materials; prepare narrative and statistical reports; maintain accurate records and document actions taken.
Monitor and/or operate multi-line telephones, radio equipment, intercoms, and alarm systems.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including those who have objectives counter to assigned role.
Education and Experience
Experience:
Four (4) years work experience involving progressively responsible public safety dispatching, radio communications, personal computer operations, training; and including at least one (1) year of dispatch experience with Solano County’s Dispatch Unit. One year of experience providing technical and functional oversight over other dispatchers
Education/Training:
Vocational/technical training in public safety dispatching and radio communications.
LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQ
Possession and maintenance of valid California P.O.S.T. Dispatch certification is required.
Possession and maintenance of valid C.L.E.T.S. Terminal Operator or Terminal Agency Coordinator certification may be required.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Candidates for positions in this class will be required to pass a background investigation in accordance with applicable law, regulation, and/or policy.
Incumbents must be willing to work rotating shifts, including weekends and/or holidays, and able to work in a closed/confining, stressful environment.
Positions allocated to this class may require bilingual skills.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
Sensory Requirements: Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities and differences between shade, degree or value of colors, shapes, sounds, forms, textures or physical appearance associated with job-related objects, materials, tasks or people. Requires acute auditory perception.
Environmental Factors: Requires the ability to work under conditions where exposure to environmental factors poses a limited risk of minor injury or illness.
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