Public Safety Dispatcher (Entry)

Next review deadline is March 16, 2020

Recruitment #19-462020-02

Introduction

WHY JOIN US AT SOLANO COUNTY?

COMMITMENT TO SERVICE: Our mission is to serve the people and to provide a safe and healthy place to live, learn, work and play.

We serve the public in many different ways, including:

• Providing primary medical, dental, alcohol, drug and mental health services to residents, including the uninsured, low-income, and medically underserved
• Providing law enforcement services in the unincorporated area of the county
• Protecting the community from public health threats such as communicable diseases
• Coordinating countywide responses to domestic violence and terrorism or other emergencies
• Managing the criminal justice process after arrest (jail, prosecution, probation)
• Supporting other local governments through efficient property tax collection as mandated by the State, County and local jurisdictions; and,
• Administration and enforcement of Federal, State, and Local laws and policies pertaining to environmental health, building construction, and land use planning

OUR EMPLOYEES: Our diverse workforce is committed to fulfilling this mission and does so by exemplifying our IDEAL Core Values, engaging in our day to day work of serving the public with Integrity, Dignity, Excellence, Accountability, and Leadership. To learn more about Solano County, please visit: www.solanocounty.com

WHY WE EXIST

To Protect and Serve the Community!
The Sheriff’s office is dedicated to the protection and well-being of every person in Solano County by providing excellent community service.

The values of the Sheriff’s Office are to bring:

Professionalism: Performing to the highest standards with integrity, ethical behavior and accountability.
Trust: Confidence in the character and ability to meet expectations.
Courage: To persevere with mental and moral strength in the face of difficulty.
Innovation: Embrace and inspire creativity to apply better solutions that accomplish goals and outcomes.
Teamwork: Unified collaboration to accomplish common goals without regard to personal agendas.
Service: Providing professional assistance in support of the community's best interests and well-being.
Respect: To value and embrace individuality with special regard to differences.

To learn more about the Sheriff's Office please visit: http://www.solanocounty.com/depts/sheriff/default.asp

The Position

A Public Safety Dispatcher is the first voice you hear when calling for emergency or non-emergency assistance.  They are responsible for monitoring radio traffic for police, fire, and medical, as well as radio channels of other agencies, acts as a liaison between members of the community, allied agencies, department personnel and field units. 

As an Entry - Level employee you will learn to dispatch law enforcement and emergency service personnel and to call for mutual aid assistance.  In addition to learning to operate equipment contained in a public safety dispatch console, which includes multi-line telephones, TTY (teletype), TDD (telephone for deaf and disabled), pagers, radios and computer-aided dispatch equipment; techniques of acquiring essential information from emergency calls and  prioritizing requests for assistance; law enforcement terminology and public safety dispatch procedures.

POSTION REQUIREMENTS

Experience: No experience required.

Education: Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent. 

Certificates: A typing certificate (40 net WPM) is required and must be submitted by the testing deadline to Human Resources.

The County offers a typing test at no charge prior to the testing deadline, if interested taking the test with the County please email recruitment@solanocounty.com to sign up for a slot by 12pm 11/25/19 or 01/20/20. These are the only dates available and space is limited. Please see the "Document Submittal Requirements" section below for further details.

Note: Incumbents shall satisfactorily complete the POST-certified Public Safety Dispatchers Basic Course within 12 months after the date of appointment.

The eligible list created as a result of this recruitment will be used to fill full-time and part-time regular, limited-term or extra-help positions as vacancies occur.

To view the full job description please visit:
http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=15988

BENEFITS

Solano County offers a cafeteria-style medical package with health benefits, offered through CalPERS. The County contribution for family coverage for the 2019 calendar year is $1,498.55 per month. The County offers a cash back provision for those who choose employee-only or who waive medical insurance coverage. The County may offer a supplemental contribution for employees enrolled in Employee plus Two or More coverage.

Dental and vision insurances for the employee and eligible dependents are paid 100% by the County.

Solano County participates in CalPERS retirement and contributes to Social Security.

The County observes 12 fixed, paid holidays per year.

Vacation is accrued at approximately 10 days per year for the first 3 years. Sick leave accrues at approximately 12 days per year.

Employees are eligible to receive an additional 2.5% longevity pay, per level, after the completion of continuous service at 10, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years. .

To review the benefits for this position, please visit:

http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16512

Extra-help employees who work less than 29 hours per week do not typically receive or accrue benefits of regular employees during their period of employment. All extra-help employees accrue .034 hours of Paid Time Off for every full hour worked.

To view the benefits for an extra-help position, please visit:

http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16516

CULTURE OF LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Solano County is committed to “Invest In and For the Future” by providing training resources to encourage employee professional development and growth within our organization. While employed with Solano County, employees have the opportunity to pursue their career goals, interests, and develop the competencies on the Solano County Leadership Development Model by participating in the following programs:

• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Annual Education Fair
• County Mentoring Program
• Leadership Academy
• Supervisory Trainings
• Skill Development Trainings
• Self-paced learning opportunities

Selection Process

Next Review Date:

03/10/20 – County sponsored typing test (optional)

03/16/20 – Deadline to submit application and required documents

TBD – Tentative date for mandatory informational session and written exam

*Please note this date and make sure you will be able to attend the mandatory information session and written exam. If you are unable to attend, you will not move forward in the hiring process. 

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the qualified applicants may be invited for further examination and will either be pre-scheduled by the Department of Human Resources or be invited to self-schedule. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a supplemental questionnaire assessment, a written and/or practical exam, an oral board exam, or any combination listed. Responses to supplemental questions may be used as screening and testing mechanisms and will be used to assess an applicant’s ability to advance in the process; as such, responses to supplemental questions should be treated as test examination responses. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

A minimum score of 70% is required to continue in the selection process, unless otherwise announced. 

All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented positions will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted. These provisions are subject to change.

RETIREES - Solano County invites all qualified candidates to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.

How to Apply

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com, to apply. Applications must be submitted through the JobAps system. Paper copies of applications are not accepted. All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement (degree/transcripts, certificates, DD-214 if applicable, ADA Accommodation Request) must be submitted with the Document Cover Sheet, available on the employment website: https://jobapscloud.com/Solano/sup/doccover.pdf or at the Department of Human Resources’ office, and are due by the final filing date.

Previously submitted application materials (i.e. copies of diploma and/or transcripts, etc.) for prior recruitments will not be applied for this recruitment but must be re-submitted for this recruitment.

Any further questions can be directed to the Department of Human Resources at (707) 784-6170 or at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800 Fairfield 94533. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EOE/AA.

 

 

 

 

Document Submittal Requirements

This position requires a valid typing certificate.  All candidates must submit a typing certificate verifying skill level at 40 net WPM or higher by the testing deadline.  Candidates who fail to submit their typing certificate by the testing deadline, will be disqualified for that test and should reapply for the next testing deadline.

Certificate Requirements: The certificate must contain a minimum corrected NET speed of 40 words per minute. It must be a timed 3 - 5 minute test, include the gross number of words typed per minute, and the number of errors. It may not be more than 12 months old at the time of application, must be from an accredited school or a qualified agency, and must contain the examiner's signature. Certificate obtained through the internet (online) will not be accepted.

Certificate Testing: The County is offering a typing test at no charge on 3/10/2020 for the Public Safety Dispatcher (Entry) recruitment only. Interested applicants should email recruitment@solanocounty.com to sign up for a slot by 12pm 3/9/2020. These are the only dates available and space is limited. 

If applicants are unable to attend the County certificate testing, applicants must still submit a copy of a valid certificate by the final filing deadline. To find out how to obtain a valid certificate, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.  Certification materials submitted to a prior recruitment will not be applied to this recruitment. Test/certification results may not be more than 12-months old at the time of application, to include test results that were proctored by Solano County.

Applicants that have participated in prior Solano County Word Processing/Typing/Excel testing must contact recruitment@solanocounty.com by the testing deadline to request their prior results be applied to this recruitment – this will not be done automatically.


How to Submit Your Documents
In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents in-person or by mail at Solano County Department of Human Resources 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800, Fairfield CA 94533, or by fax to (707) 784-3424 or by email to recruitment@solanocounty.com. When submitting documents in-person, by mail or by fax, include the recruitment title (Public Safety Dispatcher - Entry) and the recruitment number (19-462020-01). When submitting documents via email, include the recruitment title and number in the subject field.

Supplemental Questionnaire

This Supplemental Questionnaire will be used to determine applicants’ qualifications for this position and assess an applicant’s ability to advance in the recruitment process; therefore, applicants are encouraged to answer all questions thoroughly and completely.  Omitted information will not be considered or assumed.  Applicants who have no experience in a specific area are recommended to state "no experience in this area" instead of leaving the space blank.

Please note that the experience in your answers must be reflected in your employment history.

  1. I possess a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. (Yes or No)

Supplemental Information

  • Candidates for positions in this class will be required to pass a background investigation, psychological examination and medical examination in accordance with applicable law, regulation and/or policy.
  • Incumbents shall satisfactorily complete the POST-certified Public Safety Dispatchers Basic Course within 12 months after the date of appointment.
  • Incumbents shall serve a probation period of twelve months.
  • Incumbents must be willing to work odd and irregular hours, including nights, weekends and holidays, rotating shifts, scheduled and emergency overtime and be available on call as required.
  • Incumbents must be willing to sit for long periods of time, and to work in a closed, confining and stressful environment.
  • Positions allocated to this class may require bilingual skills.

Veterans Preference Points

To be eligible, applicant must have served at least 181 consecutive days of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. A COPY OF THE DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE (GENERALLY COPY 4), MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT BY THE FINAL FILING DATE. Applicants who have a service connected disability must also submit a recent award letter from the VA stating they are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons.

Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under conditions discharge shall receive five (5) points added to their combined score. Disabled veterans rated at not less than 30% disability shall have ten (10) points added to their combined score. Veteran’s preference points will only be added to passing scores in competitive open examinations.

Americans With Disabilities Act

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES: Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment/testing/examination process (as detailed in the “Selection Process”), must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=23215.

This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the final filing date of the recruitment. Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.

Solano County

OUR COMMUNITY
Solano County is the ideal place to live, learn, work and play… The America's Promise Alliance has named Solano County as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People for six straight years—the only California community with that distinction.

Live – Solano County as well as cities within the County have ranked in the top 15 hottest markets across the country and within the Bay Area due to prime location and affordability.
Learn – Higher education abounds! Within the County, education choices include: Solano Community College, CSU Maritime Academy, Brandman University, and Touro University. Bordering our County is the renowned University of California Davis.
Work – The blend of agriculture, corporate business and pleasant lifestyle enhance the attraction of Solano County. Blessed with a thriving agricultural economy, the county is also home to biotechnology and other growth industries.
Play - Situated midway between San Francisco and Sacramento—the State capitol, Solano County is home to rolling hillsides, waterfronts and fertile farmland. County residents can enjoy day trips to the San Francisco Bay area, Lake Tahoe region and the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.

County Population (2018): 439,793

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER