Under general supervision of a shift supervisor, the Communications Dispatcher I receives emergency and non-emergency calls from the public, including calls from cellular telephone users requesting services; dispatches emergency police, fire, and other public safety units in a coordinated manner; operates various communications equipment; and performs other related work as required. Incumbents are required to work various shifts associated with a 24-hour, 365-day operation and are required to wear a uniform.
The Communications Dispatcher I initially receives on-the-job training in the techniques and methods of radio dispatching involving public safety operations. Incumbents are taught to handle emergency situations requiring independent judgment as to course of action where unprecedented situations may arise. Shift work on Saturday, Sunday and holidays are normal working conditions of this job. A 5% salary differential is paid for the 4:00 p.m. to Midnight, and 7.5% differential is paid for the Midnight to 8:00 a.m. shifts.
Communications Dispatcher I - Annual salary for this position is $91,274.16 at the top of the range. Additionally, City-paid benefits may include
medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, holidays, administrative leave days, sick time, CalPERS retirement contribution, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, annual professional development reimbursement, four weeks of paid parental leave, and more! All benefits information can be found here.
General Knowledge of: Main streets and geographical areas of the Cities of Richmond, El Cerrito, San Pablo (including Contra Costa College) and Kensington.
Ability to: Accurately dispatch public safety units in a coordinated manner; verbally communicate and extract information from callers regarding what they need; use good judgment as to when to act independently and when to refer situations to a supervisor; speak clearly and concisely in English; interpret written instructions, policies, rules and the materials used in performing dispatching duties; react quickly, accurately, and calmly in handling emergency calls for assistance; prepare records and reports and maintain files; type a minimum of 30 words per minute; follow written and oral directions; and learn to operate computerized data communications terminals.
Certification: Incumbents in this classification are required to satisfactorily complete a Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified 120-hour Basic Complaint/Dispatcher course. This is a condition of continued employment, and failure to do so will result in termination.
Typing Certificate: Applicants must attach a typing certificate as proof of ability to type at least 30 net w.p.m. with no more than 15 errors. Only typing certificates from a public agency, school/training center or employment agency (issued within six (6) months of application) will be accepted.
Online typing tests will not be accepted. Each certificate must include the following: name of the school, agency or institution conducting the testing; the gross and net number of words, and the number of errors; signature of the individual responsible for the testing, and the testing date.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
The City’s policy is that all persons hired on or after October 18, 2021, must be fully vaccinated, including the booster, for COVID-19. New employees will be required to provide proof of complete vaccination or have an approved medical or religious accommodation before employment may commence. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact Human Resources.
Additional Requirements:-
No felony convictions
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No use of the following drugs within the past three (3) years: Cocaine, Hallucinogens, LSD, Heroin, Methamphetamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), Psilocybin (Mushrooms).
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Successful candidates must pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, credit check, and a check of drug use history.
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Must be able to qualify to use protective respirator equipment based on passing a specialized physical examination by the hire date, and maintain certification.
Application and Selection
To be considered for this position, all applicants must:
Submit a completed online City of Richmond Employment Application and answers to supplemental questionnaire by visiting the City of Richmond's employment page at www.ci.richmond.ca.us. Please fill out the Employment Application completely (including places of employment with complete addresses; i.e., number and street name, city and state, names of supervisors with telephone numbers, etc.).
AND attach the required document(s) based on one of the two options below. You may attach documentation for both options, but you must fulfill the requirements of at least one of the options.
OPTION 1 (two documents are required at time of application)
Attach a TYPING CERTIFICATE as proof of ability to type at least 30 net w.p.m. with no more than 15 errors. Only certificates from a public agency, school/training center or employment agency (issued within six (6) months of application) will be accepted. Online typing test will not be accepted. Each certificate must include the following: name of the school, agency or institution conducting the testing; the gross and net number of words, and the number of errors; the signature of the individual responsible for the testing; and the testing date.
AND
- Attach a copy of a valid T-SCORE of 48 or above from a POST Entry-Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery (POST Dispatcher Test) taken within the past 12 months to proceed through the examination process. Applicants may use a T-score from a POST Dispatcher Test administered by another agency. If you do not possess a valid T-score, applicants may contact The Academy, South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Center (www.theacademy.ca.gov), or other local law enforcement agencies and/or basic training academies to determine if they are administering the POST Dispatcher Test. Additional information about the test may be obtained by visiting the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) website at www.post.ca.gov.
OR
OPTION 2 (one document is required at time of application)-
Attach a copy of a California POST Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Certificate.
YOUR APPLICATION WILL ONLY BE VALID IF YOU SUBMIT ALL REQUIRED MATERIALS DEPENDING ON WHICH OF THE TWO OPTIONS YOU SELECTED TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS MAY BE REJECTED.
Selection Process
The selection process includes four steps. You must successfully complete each step in order to be eligible to participate in the next step. Completing a step does not guarantee that you will be invited to participate in the next step.
Step I: Application Appraisal: All completed employment application packages will be evaluated and scored based on job-related qualifications criteria. An employment list will be established, and your placement on this list will be determined solely (100%) by information provided on the Employment Application, responses to the Supplemental Qualifications Questionnaire, and submittal of required documents. Applicants meeting all of the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed a placement on this list.
Employment List: Candidates who successfully pass application appraisal process will be placed on an employment list with a ranking of "A" (Best Qualified), "B" (Well Qualified) or "C" (Qualified). Successful candidates will be subject to a background investigation, polygraph and medical examination prior to a final job offer. The Employment List is valid for four (4) months unless extended an additional four (4) months, for a total of eight (8) months.
Step II: Interview: The applications of candidates placed on the employment list will be sent to the Police Department for further review. A representative from the Police Department will contact candidates to schedule an interview.
Step III: Background Investigation: Candidates who are successful in the interview process will begin the background investigation process which consists of a polygraph, fingerprinting and a meeting with a background investigator.
Step IV: Medical and Psychological Assessment: After the background investigation, the better-qualified candidates will be given a conditional offer of employment and will be scheduled for a medical evaluation and psychological assessment.
About the City of Richmond
The City of Richmond lies on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, five miles north of Berkeley and seven miles northeast across the Bay from downtown San Francisco. A hub of multimodal transportation, many of our residents and businesses are located in Richmond because of its central location and easy access to the Amtrak/Capitol Corridor, BART, AC Transit, the ferry, and two freeways (I-80 & I-580). Residents, visitors, and employees enjoy Richmond’s numerous recreational opportunities, which include 32 miles of shoreline and over 3,000 acres of shoreline parks, more segments of the Bay Trail completed than any other city, several recreational boat harbors and yacht clubs, and thousands of acres of contiguous inland regional parks and open space. The City has substantial economic resources but is still affordable compared to other Bay Area cities. Our community is welcoming, diverse, and actively engaged. Richmond is truly the City of Pride and Purpose!
Immigration Reform Control Act
In compliance with the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986, individuals offered employment by the City of Richmond will be required to show documentation of eligibility to work in the United State as a condition of employment.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The City of Richmond is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer, and prohibits discrimination against any applicant on the basis of race, religion, citizenship, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability or medical condition, genetic information, marital status, reproductive health decision-making, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and over), sexual orientation, or military or veteran status or any other basis protected by law.
Disaster Service Workers
California Government Code Title I, Sections 3100 - 3109, declare all public employees to be Disaster Service Workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
EEO/ADA/DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE
WEBSITE: www.ci.richmond.ca.us
Analyst: J. Somera
Revised 01/2024
