Placer County

To receive and transmit routine and emergency requests for law enforcement, fire, ambulance, and/or emergency assistance and equipment in a coordinated and calm manner; to monitor public safety frequencies; to operate a variety of communications equipment, including radio consoles and a computer-aided dispatch system according to established procedures.

Public Safety Dispatcher I: This is the entry-level class in the Public Safety Dispatcher series.  This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters as those allocated to the journey level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Public Safety Dispatcher II: This is the full journey-level class within the Public Safety Dispatcher series.  This class is distinguished from the Public Safety Dispatcher I by the assignment of the full range of call-taking and public safety dispatch duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry-level.

This class is further distinguished from the Supervising Public Safety Dispatcher in that the latter supervises line staff, monitors day-to-day activity in the Dispatch Center, ensures minimum staffing levels, ensures calls are handled properly, monitors compliance with applicable policies and procedures, and oversees the training program for entry-level dispatchers, when assigned.

Public Safety Dispatcher I
Receives immediate supervision from a Supervising Public Safety Dispatcher and technical and functional supervision from higher-level staff as needed.

Public Safety Dispatcher II
Receives general supervision from a Supervising Public Safety Dispatcher, Dispatch Services Supervisor, and/or the Watch Commander.

May exercise technical and functional supervision over entry dispatchers, as needed.

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

• On assigned shift, receive telephone communications requiring the dispatching of emergency public safety equipment and staff; receive and dispatch routine and emergency radio communications from Sheriff's patrol units and other public safety agencies (including contract agencies), such as fire and ambulance; maintain status of units on assignments in the field; keep Sheriff's Office command staff informed of critical incidences; interpret information from units in field; work to ensure safety of staff in the field at all times.
• Monitor various public safety radio frequencies where emergencies involve the coordinated efforts of several agencies as required; relay information to other agencies as required; contact agencies concerned with major emergency operations and provide critical information concerning emergencies; confirm warrants for deputies, as needed.
• Coordinate efforts between local/state/federal agencies for both law enforcement and fire incidents.
• Interface with various computer programs on a local/state/federal level.
• Provide emergency medical instructions over the phone per approved protocols, as necessary.
• Document large volumes of calls for service; compile data and prepare reports of reported emergencies, equipment dispatched, and/or status of emergency.
• Operate a variety of communications equipment, including the basic and, if applicable, enhanced equipment associated with the 911 public safety answering point (P.S.A.P.); operate radio transmitters and receivers and related equipment.
• Receive, file, send, and, where appropriate, take appropriate action concerning teletype messages; utilize current law enforcement automated systems as needed, to identify persons, vehicles, and/or property.
• Perform clerical duties related to assignment.
• Monitor electronic alarm and video systems for County property; monitor the animal control radio frequency after hours and on weekends.
• Perform research and update information relating to events in the Computer-Aided Dispatch (C.A.D.) system.
• Monitor and maintain access to after-hours call-out data for the Sheriff's Office and other County departments.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

When assigned Dispatch Training duties:

• Conduct the training of emergency dispatch staff; instruct staff in the proper methods of operating communications and dispatch equipment, monitor specified radio frequencies, and dispatch public safety staff and equipment.
• Direct and evaluate the work of trainee employees on an assigned shift.
• Maintain training materials, including manuals, support information, and training records.
• Assist the Supervising Public Safety Dispatcher(s) and other higher-level staff in the periodic review of current procedures and policies.
• Confer with the Supervising Public Safety Dispatcher(s) and other higher-level staff regarding special instructions or procedural changes and relay updated information to employees.
• May provide input on the performance evaluations of trainees.

Public Safety Dispatcher I

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

Experience: Two (2) years of customer service experience, which demonstrates a general aptitude for working with the public in an environment requiring multi-tasking, balancing competing priorities/demands, and extensive public contact. Experience with computer terminals and radiobroadcasting/communications equipment and/or experience within a law enforcement setting is desirable.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. 

Required License or Certificate:

• 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.
• Successful completion of the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified Basic Dispatcher course by the completion of the probationary period.
• Must satisfactorily complete the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) certified Emergency Medical Dispatch course by the completion of the probationary period.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid CPR certificate by the completion of the probationary period.

Public Safety Dispatcher II

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

Experience: One (1) year of experience in a public safety dispatching setting performing duties comparable to a Placer County Public Safety Dispatcher I.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Required License or Certificate:

• 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.
• Successful completion of the P.O.S.T. Certified Basic Dispatcher course or equivalent.
• Must satisfactorily complete the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) certified Emergency medical Dispatch course by the completion of the probationary period.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain a valid CPR certificate by the completion of the probationary period.

• Modern office procedures and equipment.
• Basic functions of police, fire, and other public safety agencies.
• Correct English usage and grammar.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; collect, read, understand, analyze, interpret, recall, and explain information received from a variety of sources including, policies procedures, rules, work papers, and regulations; Identify different voices and sounds on the radio and telephone; actively listen, understand, extract, and interpret radio codes correctly and translate information to the public and law enforcement staff in emergency and non-emergency situations; obtain information and accurately recall places, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents; memorize codes, names, locations, and other detailed information; refer to multiple computer screens for messages and other relevant information; read maps quickly and accurately; receive information from the public and problem solve the situation; manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and quickly switch between tasks; focus on a single task for long periods of time; work with frequent interruptions; work under time pressure; complete a high volume of tasks; quickly and accurately receive and process auditory information in an environment with frequent interruptions and multiple competing audio sources, such as telephones ringing, multiple frequency radio traffic, and general conversation; and decipher and differentiate various verbal and non-verbal auditory sounds and cues at varying intensities.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk or console for long periods of time. Intermittently, walk, stand, bend, twist, squat, and reach to access office equipment, or to obtain materials from printer or other locations within the dispatch center; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; speak, use a telephone, write and use a keyboard to communicate; see and hear with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; lift light weight.
• Operate computerized keyboards and other related equipment accurately and at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Effectively process several tasks simultaneously.
• Learn to operate radio and 911 telephone equipment in dispatching public safety equipment and personnel.
• Learn the geography of the County and the location of streets and important buildings.
• Learn to listen carefully and attentively and remember names, locations, and numbers; learn to record pertinent data associated with C.A.D. events and logs.
• Carry out verbal and written directives.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Exercise good judgment in emergency situations.
• Develop and maintain an efficient, calm demeanor in handling adverse and/or emergency situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Techniques, procedures, and methods utilized in the operation of emergency dispatch and related communications equipment.
• Organization, operations, and terminology of police, fire, or other public safety agencies.
• Automated systems pertaining to communications/dispatch operations.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws and codes.
• Geography of the County and the location of streets and important buildings.
• Departmental established rules and procedures.
• Principles of training and adult training techniques.

Ability to:

• Manage emergency situations and assist in directing an appropriate course of action by operating Fire and Law radio and 911 telephone equipment to dispatch public safety equipment and personnel.
• Conduct emergency dispatch training programs; train staff effectively and tactfully; organize and prioritize workload and trainee assignments.
• Exercise tact, courtesy, and patience in training and public contacts.
• Follow and train others to follow safe work practices, including workplace safety policies and procedures.