PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST II - Trainee

Police Dispatch Lateral Transfer

Recruitment #2205-6368-001

Introduction



The Public Safety Communications Specialist (PSCS) II - Lateral Trainee Police Dispatch hiring salary for external applicants ONLY will range from $23.00 - $25.50/hour depending on experience, training, and certifications.

As a Public Safety Communications Specialist II - Trainee you will serve as a first responder and answer, assess, and route emergency 9-1-1 calls for both Police, Fire, and EMS specialties.  This classification also performs radio dispatch and support functions for the Police Specialty. 

Applicants please consider the following job elements before submitting an application:
  • This is a very rewarding and satisfying career for many, as it provides a way to help others in our community.
  • The training process consists of both classroom and live call taking, it can range from six (6) months to twelve (12) months.  It requires a high level of commitment and time dedication.
  • The probation period is 12 months.
  • The department is a 24/7 operation and incumbents will be required to work rotating shifts, weekends and holidays. Overtime will be required as necessary.
  • The department follows a 2-week pay period schedule which follows a rotation of four (4) 12-hour shifts (work week 1) and three (3) 12-hour shifts (work week 2)
  • Incumbents will answer highly sensitive calls and receive confidential information.
  • Upon successful completion of training, individuals will be promoted to a Public Safety Communication Specialist II  

The City of Tucson offers a wide range of generous benefits for eligible employees. Some of those benefits include:

  • Medical: Choice between a high deductible plan (HSA or HRA), or Network plan
  • Dental: Choice between a national dental PPO and a local dental HMO
  • Vision: Coverage for annual eye exam and glasses or contacts, plus LASIK
  • Life: City-paid coverage for you & dependents, plus option to buy more
  • Long-Term Disability: Income replacement of up to 60% of your base salary in the event of a qualifying disability
  • Employee Assistance Program: Enhance your wellbeing when life doesn’t go as planned
  • Flexible Spending: Pay for qualified health and dependent care expenses using pretax dollars
  • Colonial Voluntary Benefits: Financial help in the event of cancer, hospitalization, accident, more

Your Security and Future

  • Pension: Generous pension plans that help both civilian and public safety employees retire more comfortably
  • Deferred Compensation: Save more toward a comfortable retirement with a 457(b) plan
  • Training & Tuition Assistance: Pursue your dream through internal training or financial help toward a degree
  • Back-Up Care: Care for your loved ones when your regular care is unavailable

Your Peace of Mind

  • Paid Parental Leave: Six (6) weeks paid leave when you welcome a child, plus other generous leave policies for FML, Medical and USERRA
  • Paid Time Away: New hires enjoy 37 days of paid time off in the first year, with time increasing steadily thereafter (In year one: 13 accrued days of vacation, 13 accrued days of sick leave, and 11 paid holidays)
  • Employee Discounts: Generous discounts, ranging from car rentals to computers, gifts to groceries, electronics to entertainment
  • Social Connectedness: Forge connections with the community we serve through paid volunteerism and payroll-deducted charitable giving 

For a full description of benefits offered to eligible employees, or to inquire further about the City of Tucson's benefits options, please visit: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/hr/employee-benefit-snapshot

**The City of Tucson values the safety of our employees, our residents, our community, and out visitors.  In support of these values, if you are selected for this job, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except when vaccination is not proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to your initial HR representative, or you must request an exemption from your representative.  New employees must either provide proof of vaccination or be granted a medical or religious exemption before working with the City of Tucson**

General Description

A Public Safety Communication Specialist II- Lateral Trainee (Police Dispatcher) learns to perform the full scope of duties of a City of Tucson PSC Specialist II through a structured on-the-job training program. This position will learn to monitor radio activity and dispatch calls for service to the Police Department. This classification will also learn to assess emergency 911 and Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) communication requests for service for both Police and Fire/EMS specialties under the guidance of experienced Communications Staff.   

This classification is a civilian trainee that works in the Public Safety Communications Centers. Training is provided in-house and may take up to one (1) year, additional training may be required to reach full performance. Employees in this class may progress by noncompetitive promotion to the classification of Public Safety Communication Specialist II after successful completion of training and satisfactory performance. 

Essential Functions

Answers, evaluates, and prioritizes incoming and outgoing telephone calls including but not limited to emergency 911, administrative, hot lines, Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD), hospital, City departments, partner agencies, and general public inquiries.  

Answers multi-line telephone for emergency assistance; asks questions to determine caller's need and location; verifies and obtains event information; provides instructions pre-arrival of law enforcement, Fire, and/or EMS services.  

Identifies and dispatches closest, most appropriate, response units using multiple data sources. Documents critical event information and communicate with public safety units via Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Supports field operations via trunked radio communications.  

Performs interactive law enforcement, fire, and medical communication duties with members of the public and users of the 911 system   Interacts with 911 centers/PSAPs in the region to facilitate and coordinate public safety emergency response for public safety services; transfers calls based on jurisdiction.  

Receives, coordinates, and disseminates critical information from and to multiple sources/resources based on published protocols and defined standards.

Police Dispatch Duties Include: 

Oversees public safety units. location and activity through various computer visual displays. 

Provides vigilant safety and welfare support to include the dissemination of criminal justice information  

Coordinates response between patrol officers, detectives, Air Support, SWAT, Hostage, Service Dog, and Crime Scene units, as well as units from outside agencies.  

Utilizes comprehensive knowledge of local geography   Researches analytical data to supplement response related information and on-scene awareness. 

Maintains confidentiality; enters data; performs clerical duties; completes projects and training; reviews and recommends updates to policy.  

Performs work in rotating shifts including weekdays, weekends, holidays, days, evenings, nights often in a non-traditional work week schedule.

This class performs related duties as assigned. The duties listed above are intended only as general illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. Job descriptions are subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.  

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education Level & Type:  HS Diploma or GED

Minimum Experience Qualifications: At least 1 year dispatching at a law enforcement agency, answering calls in a high call volume setting in a timely manner, and assessing their level of importance.

Special Job Requirements

Ability to type 45 net words per minute (WPMN)

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working as a Police emergency 911 operator or dispatcher
Fluent in more than one language

Selection Plan

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated on the education and work experience in their employment profile, the responses to their supplemental questions, and successful completion of the background application will be invited to the practical exam and oral board interview which will be held either Virtual (Microsoft Teams) or in-person. 

Applicants who have not completed the background application will not move forward in the recruitment, and all applicants must meet Arizona Criminal Justice Information Systems (ACJIS) standards

Upon completion of all examination processes, the highest scoring applicants will be invited to participate in a practical exam and oral board interview:

  • 10% of your rating for education and work experience
  • 20% of your rating for practical exam
  • 70% of your oral board interview

Practical and Oral Board Interviews dates to be determined.

Hiring interviews may be conducted.

Background Process

The candidates selected for hire from the Employment List will be subject to the following: An extensive background investigation, including local, state and national criminal and fingerprint checks, medical pre-employment testing, and polygraph may be conducted.

This recruitment will establish a civil service list that will be utilized to fill vacancies occurring within the next 6 months.

Veterans, Native American, or Disability preference points will be added to the final score for those that are placed on the Civil Service Employment List.  If you qualify for preference points as outlined in the Employment Profile, you must upload your documentation as part of the application process or email it to PSCD_HR@tucsonaz.gov.  

The DD 214 must be a copy that indicates characterization of service.  If you are in need of Americans with Disabilities Act-related accommodation during the testing process, please call Antigone Ibrahim at (520) 837-4168 at least 48 hours prior to the evaluation.  

Conclusion

You are highly encouraged to print this bulletin because it contains important testing dates and information that you will need to refer to later, and it will not be available after the closing date. 

Additionally, communication during this process will be sent via email, so please ensure your browser accepts emails from jobs@tucsonaz.gov and check your email account regularly.

Failure to response or follow instructions may result in disqualification.

Pre-employment Medical Testing Requirements

Long Audio Test Non-NIDA Drug Test

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To ensure accurate payroll information for tax purposes, the successful candidate will need to provide their original Social Security Card or original letter from the Social Security Administration with their social security number prior to beginning work with the City of Tucson.

The City of Tucson hires lawful workers only - US citizens or nationals and non-citizens with valid work authorization - without discrimination. Federal immigration laws require all employers to verify both the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. In its efforts to meet the law's requirements, the City of Tucson participates in the E-Verify program established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to aid employers in verifying the eligibility of workers.

Retired City of Tucson employees receiving benefits from the Tucson Supplemental Retirement System who are considering reemployment with the City should be aware that pursuant to Section 22-37(g) of the Tucson City Code, retirement benefits shall be suspended during the period of reemployment with the City of Tucson unless you have been separated at least twelve consecutive months before returning to work AND you return to a non-permanent employment classification. Creditable service does not accrue during any reemployment period.