Police Communications Operator I - Entry Level

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Police Communications Operator I - Entry Level

Salary

$68,140.80 - $82,825.60 Annually

Location

Carlsbad, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2024-3

Department

Police

Opening Date

04/29/2024

Closing Date

5/20/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

The Position

The Community of Carlsbad: This nearly 40 square mile city is ideally situated in north San Diego County with an approximate population of 115,000. It offers a great climate, beautiful beaches, lagoons, and abundant natural open space. World-class resorts, family attractions, well-planned neighborhoods, a diverse business sector, and a charming village atmosphere combine to create the ideal California experience.

DEI Statement: The City of Carlsbad embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and recognizes the vital relationship of a culturally diverse, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. A diverse, equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.

The Position: Communications Operator I is an entry-level police dispatch position for candidates with little or no public safety dispatching experience. A Communications Operator I will undergo training to develop skills in handing 911 emergency phone calls, radio dispatching to officers in the field, and in using various law enforcement databases and technology in a team environment. To be successful in training, Communications Operator I employees must demonstrate the ability to multi-task, make quick decisions, and use good judgment skills. Within one year from the date of hire, the employee will complete a 120-hour POST basic dispatcher course. Employees who successfully complete training and the probationary period will progress to the journeyman classification of Communications Operator II.

Dispatch operations run on a 24-hour per day, seven day a week schedule. This position works on a rotating shift basis, holidays and weekends.

Testing: Complete and pass the CritiCall Dispatcher Exam, which consists of the following modules:

Decision Making

Keyboarding

Data Entry

Data Entry (Audio)

Call Summarization

Cross Referencing

Memory Recall (Audio)

Prioritization

Reading Comprehension

Proofreading

Map Reading Rural

Map Reading Urban

Oral Panel Appraisal Interview: Appraisal of general experience, education, judgment, problem-solving ability, and communication skills.

Background Appraisal Interview: Completion and review of detailed Personal History Statement. Candidates meeting the basic criteria will continue with a background investigation. Candidates meeting the basic criteria will continue with a background investigation.

Comprehensive Background Investigation: A detailed investigation of the candidate's personal history and suitability for employment as a law enforcement officer based on the job dimensions identified by POST. This investigation includes a lie detection polygraph screening. There are certain types of conduct which are automatic grounds for disqualification.

Captains' Interview: Personal interviews with the Captain of Field Operations and the Communications Manager.

Final Steps: Psychological and medical evaluations before hire are required. The Chief of Police may select/appoint any individual who has successfully completed the process. Appointments are probationary for one year.

Recruitment Timeline:

• If you are selected to continue in the process, you will be sent detailed information on the CritiCall Exam and a link to take the exam.

• If a passing score is achieved on all sections of the CritiCall Exam, you will then be invited to an Oral Panel interview.

• CritiCall testing will occur on an ongoing basis until May 28.

• Panel interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis through the week of June 3.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive routine and emergency calls and dispatch police units using a virtual telephone, computer equipment and/or a two-way radio console as well as a keyboard and mouse, trackball or foot pedal.

• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, such as receive, document and disseminate information accurately in both written and oral form, enter information into and retrieve information from computer systems and read information from multiple computer screens.

• Document facts accurately, legibly, and completely during multiple/emergency call situations, coordinate activities within the City departments as well as with other emergency service and other government jurisdictions.

• Monitor other radio frequencies, dispatching appropriate emergency units when necessary.

• Take and evaluate reports, handle complaints, and requests for service over the phone and in person.

• Elicit information, quickly and accurately analyze situations and choose an effective course of action for both emergency and non-emergency situations.

• Provide responsive, high quality service to City employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public by providing accurate, complete and up-to-date information, in a courteous, efficient and timely manner, screen and refer selected problems to appropriate supervisor.

• Use computer terminals to inquire, enter and check data in local, state, and national information databases.

• Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of radio/dispatch equipment.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Basic organization and functions of municipal police and fire departments.

• Basic emergency (911) system functions and operations, basic geography of the City of Carlsbad and San Diego County.

• Familiarity with the Police Department's Mission, Vision and Values.

Skill in:

• Effectively operating telephone, radio, computer terminal and other related equipment or systems in the Communications Center.

• Eliciting from, and explaining information effectively and accurately to, a wide variety of callers.

• Providing excellent customer service both in person and on the phone to every caller, regardless of who they are.

• Providing information relevant to maintaining the safety of field personnel, communications, analyzing situations accurately, reasoning clearly, and adopting effective courses of action even during times of stress or life-threatening peril.

Ability to:

• Learn to operate radio, telephone, and computer terminal equipment, and properly dispatch emergency units under extreme pressure.

• Learn to handle multiple situations on a simultaneous basis.

• Learn to understand, interpret and process radio traffic and telephone calls despite considerable background noise, static and interference.

• Keep a spirit of collaboration and cooperation within the Communications Center, regardless of the amount of stress/activity going on and establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Remain calm and communicate precisely and clearly in emergency situations.

• Exercise sound judgment in making priority decisions.

• Read maps, grids and written instructions.

• Deploy emergency equipment within specific guidelines.

• Learn and articulate rules and procedures involved in release and maintenance of police records and files.

• Document facts accurately, legibly and under pressure during multiple emergency call situations; understand and carry out oral and written directions.

• Perform duties effectively with a minimum of supervision.

Experience & Education

Any combination equivalent to the experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

To be considered, applicants must submit a City Application and Supplemental Questionnaire. Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via e-mail.

Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration.

Please note - A typing certificate may be required if invited to continue in the recruitment process.

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Flexible Spending Account

• Life Insurance

• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

• Retirement under the CalPERS program, 2% @ 62 formula, Classic Members (those who are enrolled in CalPERS at another local agency) have the 2% @ 60 formula

• Pension contribution limitations set by PEPRA are currently $151,549 for new members or $280,000 for classic members

• Bilingual Pay

• Holidays - 11 scheduled holidays

• Paid vacation

• Computer purchase loan

• Tuition reimbursement

A detailed list of our benefits can be found here: Carlsbad Benefits (https://www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/human-resources/compensation/full-time-benefits)

01

INSTRUCTIONS: The supplemental questionnaire is used to further evaluate your experience and education to determine your eligibility to compete. The experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History/Experience section of your Employment Application. Failure to complete the "Work History/Experience" section of the employment application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications. I have read and understood the instructions above.

• Yes

  02

  Successful candidates must undergo a thorough background investigation. There are certain types of conduct which are automatic grounds for disqualification. Are you willing to undergo a thorough pre-employment character and background investigation, that requires you to give detailed and sensitive information in your personal/professional history if you move forward in this process?

• Yes

  03

  Are you able to work a variety of shifts as assigned, including days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays?

• Yes

• No

  04

  When was your most recent on the job training? Please describe this training and were you successful?

  05

  As an applicant for a position with the Carlsbad Police Department, you are required to complete this Backgrounds Pre-Screening Form. You are admonished with the following: "I am aware that any false statement or omission on this questionnaire will cause my name to be removed from the eligibility list, or be considered for immediate dismissal if an appointment is made." All of your answers will be scrutinized during a thorough background investigation. Please initial below indicating your understanding.

  06

  Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any crime, as an adult or juvenile, or have you ever been detained as part of a criminal investigation (excluding traffic citations)?

• Yes

• No

  07

  If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe in detail. If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".

  08

  Excluding the use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, have you ever used or experimented with any substance, drug or narcotic, even one time?

• Yes

• No

  09

  If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe in detail. If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".

  10

  Have or do you participate in any behavior legal or not that may be considered risky behavior? (alcohol related crime, prostitution, illegal sexual contact, drug use, etc)

• Yes

• No

  11

  If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe in detail. If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".

  12

  Have you ever been involved in a fight?

• Yes

• No

  13

  If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe in detail any/all fights. If you answered "No", indicate "n/a

  14

  Do you have, or have you ever had, a poor credit rating and/or any accounts in collections?

• Yes

• No

  15

  If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe in detail why you have/had a poor credit rating and/or why you have/had any accounts in collections. If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".

  16

  Have you ever had any traffic citations? Any that do not currently show on your motor vehicle print-out.

• Yes

• No

  17

  If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe in detail. If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".

  18

  Have you ever been formally disciplined by past or present employer including verbal warning, written reprimand or an Internal Affairs investigation, and/or terminated?

• Yes

• No

  19

  If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe in detail. If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".

  20

  Have you ever stolen anything from an employer?

• Yes

• No

  21

  If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide a description and the value of the item(s). If you answered "No", indicate "n/a".

  Required Question

Agency

City of Carlsbad

Address

1635 Faraday Ave. Carlsbad, California, 92008

Website

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/carlsbad

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