Job Description

Posting number: 26087305PSDL

Department: POLICE

Job classification: PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHER

Posting type: Open

Categories: Clerical & Data Entry, Public Safety, Telecommunications, Miscellaneous, Customer Service, Dispatch, 911 Telecommunications, Criminology, Communications

For a detailed job description, click here

HOURS: Public Safety Dispatchers currently work three 12-hour shifts per week. Work shifts may be extended as needed. You must be available to work rotating shifts, including day, evening, graveyard, weekends and holidays.

The Public Safety Dispatch Lateral Transfer Program includes a transfer incentive in the amount of $1,500. Upon successful completion of the probationary period (12 months), employees will be credited with 72 hours of sick leave and 111.96 hours of vacation leave. A lateral-entry Public Safety Dispatcher is distinguished from entry-level Public Safety Dispatcher in that the lateral-entry Public Safety Dispatcher is required to have two (2) years of continuous employment as a Dispatcher or Communications Operator (in Police or Fire) within the last three (3) years.

Examples of duties

Education and Experience
Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge and skills required is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate. One year of experience in voice communications equipment or public contact work involving the use of communication equipment.

License and/or Certificates
Must obtain and maintain a valid California POST Public Safety Dispatch Certificate and Emergency Medical Dispatch Certificate within one (1) year of hire.

Ideal Candidate
In addition to the minimum requirements, a desirable candidate will possess:

• A customer service mindset with excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to remain calm, have a clear and controlled voice, think quickly and logically while working under pressure and exercise good judgment in potential emergency situations;
• Strong multitasking skills and the ability to learn quickly;
• Skill to operate a computer and keyboard to enter data provided verbally and in writing; and
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience as a Police, Fire or other emergency dispatcher involving computer-aided dispatching is desirable.

Qualifications

Interested candidates must submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire at www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs Application submission will be accepted on a continuous basis until the positions are filled.

Only those candidates who best meet the City and Department's needs will be invited to participate in the examination process, which will consist of the following components:

• The City of Torrance uses the California Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Entry Level Law Dispatcher Battery Written Test and will accept scores from other agencies within one year of the written test date. The passing T-score for the City of Torrance is 50. Candidates who have taken the POST Entry Level Law Dispatcher Battery examination at another agency and have received a T-score of 50 or higher within the last 12 months must attach a copy of their T-score to their employment application.
• POST allows candidates to test only once in a 30 day period. Applicants may not take the POST written test if taken with another agency within the last 30 days of the City of Torrance scheduled written test.

Supplemental information

Names of candidates will be retained on the eligible list for a period of three (3) months. Applicants may test for Public Safety Dispatcher only once in a six (6) month period.

Visit www.TorranceCA.Gov to find out more information about our community.

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 618-2915 no later than five (5) business days before the test date. For further information, click here

Candidates must pass each component of the exam process, as well as a thorough background investigation to be considered for hire. The background investigation will include job and personal references, arrest records, credit history, use of controlled substances, medical evaluations, and a polygraph.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.