Police Dispatcher

Are you looking for an opportunity for professional growth and development while serving the community? Consider joining the City of San Bernardino's Police Department as a Police Dispatcher!

 One of the premier agencies in the Inland Empire, the San Bernardino Police Department is recognized at the state and national levels for award winning community-oriented policing programs.

About the Position:
The Police Dispatcher I (FLEX) perform general and routine dispatching activities. Operates computerized dispatch, radio, "911," and ancillary equipment in a police communications center. Receives, interprets, and codes routine and emergency calls and dispatches personnel and equipment in response following clear policies and protocols. This position will require working a varied work shift that includes evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Seeking Candidates With:
 

• Knowledge of: Understanding rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Customer service and communication skills: Demonstrating telephone and radio courtesy and broadcasting clear, concise, and specific instructions.
• Stress management and judgment: Working rapidly under stress and exercising good judgment in emergency situations.
• Geographical knowledge: Familiarity with the geography and street layout of the city and surrounding area.
• Operational skills: Proficiency in the proper operation and care of radio, telephone, and office equipment, including computers and applicable software applications. 

Applications will be tentatively reviewed the week of August 05, 2024
Criticall Exam tentatively scheduled for the week of August 12, 2024

Qualified candidates must successfully complete a police background investigation as part of the pre-employment exams.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Operates a radio system, automated telephone system, and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system to receive and transmit routine and emergency calls from the public by telephone, radio, and fax; interviews callers, and evaluates call data.
• Interprets and assigns appropriate codes to calls for transmission; transmits radio messages to field units, dispatches police personnel and equipment, and monitors alarm boards.
• Calms distressed citizens on the phone; evaluates, prioritizes, and sequences incoming information and determines number and types of units to send to emergency situations; notifies other departments of needed support services.
• Assists with the coordination of emergency calls and relays questions from personnel in the field to appropriate supervisory personnel; monitors the status of police units and their location.
• Participates in training and educational development; consistently gains new skills to enhance professionalism and ability to handle emergency calls and situations.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Knowledge of:

• General operations, services, and activities of a public safety dispatch program.
• Rules, regulations, and procedures relating to police communications and dispatch, including FCC requirements.
• Proper operation and care of radio and telephone equipment.
• Customer service practices and telephone and radio courtesy.
• Geography and street layout of city and surrounding area.

Skills in:

• Eliciting information to assess situations from callers.
• Determining dispatch priorities during peak workloads and dispatching appropriate personnel and equipment.
• Broadcasting clear, concise, and specific instructions over the radio in a distinct, well-modulated voice.
• Working rapidly under stress and exercising good judgment in emergency situations.
• Reading and applying mapping information for effective call and unit management.
• Listening to and recording, or key in, information clearly and accurately.

Click here to view the Police Dispatcher I (FLEX) job description.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience:
High School diploma or G.E.D.

AND

At least one (1) year of customer service experience working with the public in person, by telephone 

OR in radio communications; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. 

Police Dispatcher I may be considered for advancement to Police Dispatcher II after demonstrating proficiency to perform the full range of duties of the latter class as described in established performance criteria. Typically, a Police Dispatcher I is expected to be capable of meeting the proficiency criteria within a 12-month period, depending on an individual's prior experience and progression in performing the full range of Police Dispatcher II duties.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

A valid California driver’s license is required.
Typing speed of 30 words per minute is required.

 Successful completion of P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher course is required within 12 months of date of employment. Peace Officers currently employed at the San Bernardino Police Department who have satisfactorily completed a one-year probation may submit a copy of the P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate in lieu of completing the P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatcher Course.
 

Supplemental Information:

BENEFITS AND REWARDS

The city offers an attractive compensation and benefit package, that includes:
 

• Health Insurance – Monthly contribution for health, dental and vision premiums:  $755.00 Employee Only, $1,377.00 Employee plus one, or $1,841.00 Employee plus Family.  A “Health Insurance Waiver Stipend” of $4,000.00 every first paycheck of December for eligible employees who waive benefits.
• Vacation - 80 hours after one year, 96 hours of sick leave annually
• 13 holidays, plus 18 hours of floating holiday time.
• Administrative Leave - 40 hours (include for eligible positions only)
• Retirement - California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). Classic members: 2% at 55 | New CALPERS members 2% at 62.
• Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, flexible benefits plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts such as pre-tax childcare plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee assistance program, and all other benefits which are received by
• Management/Confidential employees of the City per Memorandum of Understanding

SELECTION PROCEDURE 

Submit a completed job application and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, which fully describe the nature of your professional experience and qualifications.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application or supplemental application materials. 

Application Review

Minimum qualifications

Completion of the supplemental questionnaire

The rating of the supplemental questions may determine application status and/or rank on the eligible list. Applications submitted without all required materials will not be considered.

Job Related Testing
Critical Exam tentatively scheduled for the week of August 12, 2024 

Accommodation

The City of San Bernardino is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities, whether physical or mental. If you require such accommodations during the assessment process, it is your responsibility to contact the Human Resources Department in writing before the recruitment closing date. For further details on how to request accommodation, please reach out to us at 909-384-5104 or via email at rivera_es@sbcity.org.  

Successful candidates will be placed on an eligible list, and highly qualified candidates will be referred to the appointing authority for further consideration. Candidates advancing in the selection process will receive information/instructions via email only.  

The San Bernardino Police Department is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is free of all forms of discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment and retaliation (Government Code §12940(k); 2 CCR 11023).

Click here to view the Police Department's Equal Employment Opportunity Utilization Report.

Pre-Employment Process may include, but is not limited to: 
 

• Application Review
• Written Exam
• Personal History Statement and Pre-Background Interview Questionnaire Packets
• Oral Exam
• Background Investigation with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Background Investigation with Investigator
• Pre-employment Medical Exam, including drug test.
• Psychological Evaluation
• Employment/Professional Reference Check

The City of San Bernardino reserves the right to modify the selection process as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity.